What does Hospice Care Cost?

For most patients, there is no cost, not even a co-pay. Hospice coverage is a right for all who meet medical criteria under the Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefit programs. All other insurance plans provide coverage, but copays and deductibles may apply.

While hospice provides many services to patients and families in their home, the family/caregivers will be responsible for providing the patient’s day-to-day care needs. Day-to-day care includes providing meals, housing, medication administration, bathing, etc. Medicare, and most commercial health insurance plans, will not pay for these services. If the patient is being cared for in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, and the patient chooses hospice, Medicare and other commercial insurers will pay for the hospice care but not the facility’s room and board fees.

For those patients who elect care in the Hospice Residence, however, there is a separate Room and Board fee. If you elect to stay in our residence, our Admissions Team will review your insurance coverage and discuss your ability to pay. For patients who have or qualify for Medicaid coverage for room and board is possible, Otherwise, their daily room and board rate will be determined based on where their assets fall on our sliding scale fee schedule. No one is refused care due to the lack of insurance coverage or ability to pay.