Medicare’s hospice benefit comforts patients and their families

Choosing hospice care isn’t about giving up. It’s about making every day count.

Terminally ill people who make the choice receive care for their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. They’re no longer seeking a cure, but they do want to live out their last weeks and months as comfortably as possible and with dignity.

Medicare’s hospice benefit is 30 years old this year and has helped millions of Americans and their families cope with the final stages of terminal illnesses.

To qualify, you must be eligible for Medicare’s Part A hospital insurance, and your physician and your hospice medical director must certify that you have six months or less to live, assuming your illness runs its normal course.

You also must sign a statement choosing the Medicare hospice benefit and another statement that you understand you’re forgoing curative treatment for your terminal condition.

Hospice programs follow a team approach. The specially trained team typically includes doctors, nurses, counselors and social workers, among others. A doctor and nurse are on call 24-7 to care for you and support your family when you need it. More.