What Services Does Hospice Provide? A Complete Guide

Many families are surprised to learn just how comprehensive hospice services are. Hospice is not just nursing care - it's a complete package of medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support designed to maximize quality of life for patients and their families.

The Hospice Medicare Benefit: What's Included

When you elect hospice care under Medicare (and most insurance plans follow the same model), you receive an all-inclusive benefit that covers far more than you might expect.

Core Medical Services

#### Physician Services

What's provided:

Important: Your own doctor can continue managing your hospice care, or you can use the hospice physician.

#### Nursing Care

Includes:

Typical visit schedule: 2-7 times per week, more during crisis

#### Home Health Aide Services

Provided:

Typical schedule: 1-5 days per week, 1-4 hours per visit

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Medical Equipment and Supplies

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Everything you need, including:

Important: All equipment is provided, delivered, set up, and maintained at no cost

Medical Supplies

Delivered regularly:

How it works: Supplies delivered to home, usually monthly or as needed

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Medications

What's Covered

Hospice covers medications for:

Co-pays: $0 for brand name drugs, $0 for generic drugs (under Medicare hospice benefit)

What's Not Covered

Hospice does not cover:

Solution: Your regular insurance continues covering non-hospice medications

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Therapeutic Services

Physical Therapy

When provided:

Occupational Therapy

Helps with:

Speech Therapy

Addresses:

Note: These therapies focus on comfort and function, not cure or rehabilitation

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Counseling and Emotional Support

Medical Social Worker

Provides:

Typical schedule: As needed, usually 1-2 visits per month initially

Spiritual Care/Chaplain

Non-denominational support including:

Important: Available to patients and families regardless of religious beliefs

Bereavement Counseling

For family members:

Who receives it: All family members and close friends

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Crisis and Continuous Care

Continuous Care

When symptoms are difficult to manage at home:

Common situations:

Inpatient Crisis Care

For symptoms that cannot be managed at home:

Typical stay: 3-5 days

Respite Care

Gives family caregivers a break:

Cost: Small co-pay under Medicare (approximately $5/day)

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Volunteer Services

What Volunteers Provide

Support services including:

Typical: 1-2 visits per week for 2-4 hours

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Dietary Counseling

Registered Dietitian Services

Helps with:

When provided: As needed based on patient condition

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Additional Services Often Included

Complementary Therapies

Many hospices offer:

Benefit: Comfort, relaxation, and non-medical symptom relief

Specialized Programs

Available from many hospices:

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Care Settings: Where Hospice Provides Services

At Home

Most common setting:

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Hospice comes to you:

Hospice Inpatient Facility

Dedicated hospice units:

Hospital

When necessary:

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24/7 Support: Always Available

On-Call Nurse Line

Available every minute of every day:

Response times:

After-Hours Care

Never alone:

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Administrative Services Included

Care Coordination

Managed for you:

Documentation and Billing

Handled by hospice:

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What Hospice Does NOT Provide

Important Limitations

Not included:

Reality check: Family caregivers still provide most hands-on care; hospice supports and teaches them

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Levels of Hospice Care

Four Medicare-Defined Levels

1. Routine Home Care (96% of days)

- Regular visits

- Standard benefit described above

2. Continuous Care (Crisis management)

- RN at bedside 8-24 hours

- Intensive symptom management

3. Inpatient Care (Crisis management in facility)

- Hospital or hospice unit admission

- 24/7 nursing

4. Respite Care (Caregiver relief)

- Up to 5 days in facility

- Family gets break

Patients move between levels based on needs

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The Hospice Team: Who You'll Meet

Core Team Members

You'll regularly interact with:

1. Registered Nurse - Primary clinical manager (weekly or more)

2. Physician - Medical oversight

3. Home Health Aide - Personal care (multiple times weekly)

4. Social Worker - Emotional and practical support (as needed)

5. Chaplain - Spiritual care (if desired)

Extended team includes:

Team Approach

Coordinated care means:

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Getting Started: The Intake Process

What Happens When You Call

1. Initial consultation (free, no obligation)

2. Eligibility assessment

3. Insurance verification

4. First visit scheduled (usually within 24-48 hours)

5. Equipment delivered (often same day)

6. Full team assigned

First Week of Hospice

Expect:

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Cost: What You Pay

Medicare Hospice Benefit

Cost to you:

Private Insurance

Most cover hospice completely, similar to Medicare

No Insurance

Options available:

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Your Rights as a Hospice Patient

You Always Have the Right To:

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Questions to Ask Your Hospice Provider

Before Choosing a Hospice

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The Bottom Line

Hospice is an incredibly comprehensive benefit that provides far more than most families realize:

All at minimal to no cost to families.

The question isn't "Can I afford hospice?" The question is "Can I afford NOT to use this benefit when I need it?"

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Sources: Medicare.gov, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine