Medicare Covers Hospice in 2025 — But Here’s What They Don’t Tell You

Let’s be real — no one wants to think about end-of-life care. But if you or someone you love is going through a serious illness, understanding how Medicare handles hospice care in 2025 can make things a lot less stressful.

The good news? Medicare covers almost everything when it comes to hospice. You’re not going to be buried in bills at a time when you should be focused on comfort, family, and peace of mind.

Okay, What Even Is Hospice Care?

Hospice is care for people who are terminally ill — meaning doctors believe they likely have six months or less to live if the illness runs its course. But it’s not about “giving up” — it’s about living the rest of your time as comfortably as possible, with dignity.

If you choose hospice care under Medicare Part A, you’re saying, “I don’t want to go through more curative treatments. I want to focus on comfort, support, and quality of life.”

So What Does Medicare Cover?

Quite a bit — and it’s all centered around making sure the patient is comfortable and cared for. Medicare will pay for:

• Nurses and doctors to visit you

• Pain and symptom relief meds

• Medical equipment like a hospital bed or wheelchair

• Medical supplies (think: dressings, catheters, etc.)

• Help from a home health aide

• Short stays in a hospice facility if symptoms get tough

• Counseling and support for both the patient and family

• Even respite care so your caregiver can take a short break

And yes — most of this can happen in your own home.

What Will You Actually Have to Pay Out-of-Pocket?

Not much at all. Here’s what’s not 100% free, but still pretty affordable:

• Meds for pain and comfort: You might pay up to $5 per prescription — that’s it.

• Inpatient respite care: If you stay in a facility for a few days to give your caregiver a breather, you pay just 5% of the cost (so if it’s $200/day, you’d owe $10/day).

No deductibles. No surprise bills. Just those two small costs — and even those are manageable for most people.

How Long Does Hospice Last?

It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. Medicare gives you:

• Two 90-day benefit periods to start

• Then an unlimited number of 60-day periods after that

Each time a new period starts, your doctor checks in to make sure hospice is still the right care. If the condition continues to meet the criteria, you’re covered. Simple as that.

Where Can You Get Hospice Care?

Most people prefer to stay at home, and Medicare supports that. But if needed, hospice care can also be provided in:

• A hospice center

• A hospital

• A skilled nursing facility

Just a heads up: if you’re living full-time in a facility, Medicare doesn’t cover room and board — unless it’s short-term or for respite care.

What If You Have Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

If you’re on a Medicare Advantage Plan, hospice care is still handled by Original Medicare. You might still use your Advantage plan for things like prescriptions not related to the hospice diagnosis or emergency care.

If you’ve got a Medigap plan, it could help cover that small 5% respite care cost or anything else Original Medicare doesn’t pay.

If hospice care is something you or a loved one needs, Medicare’s got your back. In 2025, almost everything is covered — from nurses and medications to equipment and counseling. The few things that aren’t covered? They’re surprisingly affordable.

It’s one less thing to worry about during an already emotional time. And that peace of mind? That’s priceless.