How does Medicare cover palliative care for serious illnesses, and what’s the difference between palliative care and hospice care?

Question

Steven Bleicher · Accepted Answer

Hospice care means that you likely have less than 6 months to live which Medicare pays for while palliative care is something where a doctor writes up “a plan of care” of a determinate length based on her/his diagnosis of a serious illness. This will require the use of various equipment (& physical therapy) usually found in a Nursing home or possibly in an assisted living facility.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

Palliative care can begin at any point in the patient's care, whereas hospice services are for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less or who are no longer seeking treatment. Medicare Parts A and B cover most outpatient Palliative (hospice) care services, whereas Medicare Advantage plans could be determined by the carrier and type of plan you select.

Answered by Larry Dalton on May 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Deborah Lee · Answer

Palliative care provides care for symptoms, whereas Hospice is care when there are no longer care options available to you.

Steven Lovell · Answer

Medicare will cover palliative care for serious illnesses through Part B and hospice care through Part A. Palliative care can be provided along with ongoing treatment. This care focuses on comfort and quality of life. Hospice care is for individuals with a terminal illness and 6 months or less of life expectancy. It also focuses on comfort and support rather than seeking a cure.

Answered by Steven Lovell on May 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, CA, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Steven Lovell Medicare Insurance Agent

Carlos Pratts · Answer

Medicare generally covers palliative care through Part A and Part B, often as part of broader care during a serious illness, and may also cover palliative care during hospice. Hospice care, however, is a specialized type of palliative care specifically for those with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, where curative treatments are no longer pursued.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on May 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

Medicare generally covers palliative care for serious illnesses through Part B, while hospice care is covered under Part A. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, and it can be received alongside curative treatments. Hospice care is a specialized type of palliative care for individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less who are no longer pursuing curative treatment. 
Palliative Care:
Coverage: Medicare Part B typically covers palliative care services. 
Focus: Improving quality of life and managing symptoms for patients with serious illnesses. 
Timing: Can be received at any point during a serious illness, alongside or before hospice care. 
Eligibility: No specific life expectancy requirement. 
Hospice Care:
Coverage:
Medicare Part A covers hospice care. 
Focus:
Comfort and support for terminally ill patients who are not pursuing curative treatment. 
Timing:
Typically initiated when a patient's life expectancy is six months or less. 
Eligibility:
Requires a physician to certify that the patient is terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

Medicare generally covers palliative care through Part A and Part B, often as part of broader care during a serious illness, and may also cover palliative care during hospice. Hospice care, however, is a specialized type of palliative care specifically for those with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, where curative treatments are no longer pursued.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on May 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Andrew Kramer · Answer

Hospice comes under Medicare Part A, regardless of whether a person is on original Medicare, or an Advantage plan. In both cases, Hospice is free. It's typically offered when end-of-life is determined to be less than 6 months by the PCP. The service varies according to the needs of the person. Palliative care is not free, but follows the co-pays or co-insurance of their plan.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Lombardo · Answer

Palliative care is used to help treat and improve health conditions for those that can make a full recovery whereas hospice care are for those at the end stages of their life, usually with 6 months or less of life. At that point, comfort and quality of life are important forgoing any treatments for a cure in the hospice care stage.  

As far as coverage of palliative care from Medicare, it is covered in part of it's regular Medicare benefits as deemed medically necessary from your physician.  I hope this helps.

Lawanda Radford · Answer

Hi great question, medicare helps cover palliative care through Part B if it’s provided by doctors or specialists—it's for managing pain and symptoms during serious illness, even while getting treatment. Hospice care is covered under Part A and is for people near the end of life who stop curative treatments. Palliative care can happen anytime; hospice is for end-of-life care. Hope this information helps.

Answered by Lawanda Radford on May 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in GA, AZ, FL & 10 other states

Answered by Lawanda Radford Medicare Insurance Agent

Kirk Hale · Answer

Palliative care is for serious illnesses, not necessarily terminal, and Medicare covers it as long as the services are medically necessary.

Medicare provides comprehensive coverage for hospice care under the hospice benefit for terminal illnesses with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Medicare likely covers palliative care for serious illnesses through Parts A, B, and D, depending on the services needed, such as inpatient care, outpatient visits, and medications.

How does Medicare cover palliative care for serious illnesses, and what’s the difference between palliative care and hospice care?

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How does Medicare cover palliative care for serious illnesses, and what’s the difference between palliative care and hospice care?

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