• The patient’s prognosis is limited to six months or less if the condition follows its normal course
• The patient is seeking care, which is designed to provide comfort and symptom control

Hospice care is available through Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance providers. Most commercial insurance plans offer the hospice benefit with few, if any, out-of-pocket costs. Medicare and Medicaid benefits provide 100% coverage of the following:

• Physician consultations
• Nurse visits
• Emotional and spiritual support from social workers and chaplains
• Personal care assistance and homemaking services by home health aides
• Medications and medical equipment related to the terminal diagnosis
• Routine home care in the comfort of the patient's own home or in an extended care facility
• General inpatient care for crises symptom management as needed
• Continuous care with round-the-clock support to manage a patient's medical crisis in the home setting
• Respite care to support the caregivers
• Bereavement program for up to 13 months following the patient's death
• Volunteer to provide companionship and assist with light housekeeping and meal preparation