Hospice is a support system for patients and their families with a terminal illness. Each hospice care team provides an individualized care plan to ensure the best quality of life possible for the time that is left. Covered services may include nursing care, pain medication, dietary counseling, hospice aide services, chaplain visits, respite care, and grief counseling.

In order to qualify for hospice care, a patient must be certified by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant as being terminally ill with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

Hospice services are a Medicare benefit, meaning that Medicare covers the cost of all hospice services, comfort medications, medical supplies, and medical equipment related to the diagnosis. Most HMOs and private insurance companies also offer hospice benefits, as does the VA and Medicaid.

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