Does Medicaid cover hospice care costs?

Yes. All 50 states provide hospice coverage through Medicaid for qualifying low-income patients. Benefits closely mirror the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Patients who are dual-eligible (both Medicare and Medicaid) typically have all hospice costs covered with no out-of-pocket expense.

What does private insurance cover for hospice care?

Most private health insurance plans cover hospice care, often with a benefit structure similar to Medicare. Coverage details vary by plan — some have copays or deductibles, others provide full coverage. Contact your insurer directly and ask about your hospice benefit before enrollment.

What hospice services are NOT covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover room and board if the patient lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility (the hospice services are covered, but not the room itself). Medicare also does not cover treatments intended to cure the terminal illness — only comfort-focused care related to the diagnosis. Some medications unrelated to the terminal diagnosis may not be covered.

Can I afford hospice care if I have no insurance?

Many hospice agencies — particularly nonprofit providers — offer charity care or sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. Additionally, uninsured patients who qualify for Medicare or Medicaid based on age or income may be able to enroll in those programs to access hospice coverage. Ask any provider on BestHospice.com about their financial assistance options.

How Much Does Hospice Care Cost? Medicare, Medicaid & Out-of-Pocket Explained

Q: How much does hospice care cost per day?

For patients covered by Medicare, the daily cost of routine home hospice care is billed directly to Medicare at approximately $212 per day — families pay nothing out of pocket for this level of care. Medicare reimburses hospice providers directly. Families are not billed for nursing visits, medications related to the terminal diagnosis, or medical equipment under Medicare coverage.

Q: Is hospice care free with Medicare?

For most families, yes. Medicare Part A covers virtually all hospice services at little to no out-of-pocket cost. The only potential costs are a copay of up to $5 for outpatient prescription drugs and up to 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care. Nursing, medications for the terminal diagnosis, medical equipment, aide support, counseling, and chaplain visits are all covered with no copay.

The Short Answer

For most American families, hospice care costs very little or nothing out of pocket. Medicare Part A — the insurance most Americans over 65 have — covers virtually all hospice services once a patient is enrolled. Medicaid covers hospice for qualifying low-income patients in all 50 states. Private insurance typically follows a similar benefit structure.

The rare costs families encounter are small copays (up to $5 for prescriptions) and room-and-board charges if the patient lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility. The care itself — nursing visits, medications, equipment, aide support, counseling — is covered.

What Medicare Covers for Hospice Care

Medicare Part A covers hospice under the Medicare Hospice Benefit when two conditions are met: a physician certifies the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less, and the patient elects to receive comfort care rather than curative treatment.

Once enrolled, Medicare covers all of the following at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient:

Physician and nursing services (registered nurse visits, on-call nursing 24/7)
Medications related to the terminal diagnosis (pain control, symptom management)
Medical equipment: hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen, bedside commode
Medical supplies: wound dressings, catheters, gloves
Home health aide support (bathing, grooming, personal care)
Social worker visits and care coordination
Chaplain and spiritual support services
Volunteer support
Bereavement counseling for the family after the patient passes

What families may pay under Medicare:

Up to $5 copay per prescription for outpatient drugs related to pain/symptom management
Up to 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care (short-term inpatient stay to give caregivers a break)

How Medicare Hospice Benefit Periods Work

Medicare organizes hospice coverage into benefit periods. The first two periods are 90 days each. After that, the patient can continue on hospice for unlimited 60-day periods as long as a physician recertifies eligibility at the start of each period. There is no maximum time limit — if a patient lives longer than expected but still meets the criteria, coverage continues.

If a patient improves and no longer meets the six-month prognosis, they can be discharged from hospice and re-enroll later if the illness progresses again. Hospice enrollment is voluntary and can be revoked at any time.

What Medicaid Covers for Hospice Care

All 50 states provide hospice coverage through Medicaid for qualifying low-income residents. The Medicaid Hospice Benefit closely mirrors Medicare's, covering nursing, medications, equipment, aide support, and counseling.

Dual-eligible patients — those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid — typically have all hospice costs fully covered, including the small prescription copays that Medicare leaves to the patient. If your loved one receives both Medicare and Medicaid, out-of-pocket hospice costs are effectively zero in most cases.

Contact your state Medicaid office or ask any hospice provider to verify coverage for your specific situation.

Private Insurance and Hospice Care

Most private health insurance plans — including employer-sponsored plans, ACA marketplace plans, and Medicare Advantage plans — cover hospice care. Many follow the Medicare Hospice Benefit structure closely, though specifics vary by plan.

Before enrolling in hospice, call your insurer and ask:

Does my plan include a hospice benefit?
What is the eligibility criteria for hospice coverage?
Are there copays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket maximums for hospice?
Does the plan require the hospice provider to be in-network?

Any provider on BestHospice.com can also help verify your coverage and handle the benefits confirmation process before care begins.

What Hospice Care Does NOT Cover

Even with Medicare or Medicaid, there are a few areas where families may face additional costs:

Room and board in a facility: If the patient lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, Medicare hospice covers the care team and services but NOT the room and board charges of the facility itself. The patient or family continues to pay the facility's room fees separately.
Curative treatments: Once enrolled in hospice, Medicare stops covering treatments aimed at curing the terminal illness. Only comfort-focused treatments are covered.
Unrelated medical conditions: Medications and treatments for conditions unrelated to the terminal diagnosis may not be covered under the hospice benefit.
24-hour home aide care: Hospice covers aide visits but not around-the-clock home aide coverage. Families who need continuous in-home support may need to arrange additional home care privately.

No Insurance? Options Are Available

If your loved one is uninsured, there are still options:

Medicaid eligibility: If income and assets qualify, applying for Medicaid may provide immediate hospice coverage. Many hospice providers can help families navigate the Medicaid application process.
Medicare eligibility: Most Americans 65 and older qualify for Medicare regardless of income. Some patients under 65 qualify through disability. If your loved one is not enrolled, a hospice social worker can help expedite enrollment.
Nonprofit hospice charity care: Many hospice agencies — particularly nonprofit and faith-based providers — offer charity care or sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.

Ask any provider on BestHospice.com about their financial assistance programs. No family should be unable to access hospice care because of cost.

Frequently Asked Questions — Hospice Care Cost

How much does hospice care cost per day?

Medicare reimburses hospice providers approximately $212 per day for routine home care. Families covered by Medicare pay nothing out of pocket for this level of care — the reimbursement goes directly to the provider.

Is hospice care free with Medicare?

For most patients, yes. Medicare Part A covers virtually all hospice services with no copay. The only potential charges are up to $5 for outpatient prescription drugs and up to 5% for inpatient respite stays.

Does Medicaid cover hospice care?

Yes. All 50 states cover hospice through Medicaid. Dual-eligible patients (Medicare + Medicaid) typically have all costs fully covered.

What hospice services does Medicare NOT cover?

Medicare does not cover room and board in a nursing home or assisted living facility (only the hospice care services), curative treatments for the terminal illness, or medications unrelated to the terminal diagnosis.

What if we have no insurance and can't afford hospice?

Many nonprofit hospice providers offer charity care. A hospice social worker can also help determine if your loved one qualifies for Medicare or Medicaid. Contact any provider on BestHospice.com to discuss your options.

Related Guides

Find Verified Hospice Providers Near You — Free

BestHospice.com connects families with verified hospice providers at no cost. No referral fees, no commissions. Enter your ZIP code to compare providers in your area.

Search for the Best Hospice Care Near You →