Jump to a section
Finding hospice care in Tampa
Tampa and the broader Tampa Bay area — including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Brandon, and Riverview — has one of the largest senior populations in the United States. Hillsborough County alone has hundreds of thousands of residents over age 65, with particularly high concentrations in Sun City Center, Brandon, and New Tampa. The area's healthcare infrastructure is extensive, anchored by Tampa General Hospital, the BayCare system, Moffitt Cancer Center, and AdventHealth.
Tampa-area hospice providers range from large national organizations to smaller local agencies. When evaluating providers, prioritize response time and nurse-to-patient ratio — in a high-volume market like Tampa, some providers become stretched and response times suffer. Ask specifically how quickly they can respond to a nighttime or weekend call.
Key questions to ask Tampa hospice providers:
- What is your average response time for an after-hours nursing call?
- How many patients does each nurse currently carry?
- Do you have experience with cancer patients transitioning from Moffitt?
- Do you serve Sun City Center, Brandon, or Riverview?
- Do you accept Florida Medicaid (Statewide Managed Care)?
Tampa hospice coverage area
Tampa hospice providers typically serve Hillsborough County and often extend into neighboring counties. Common coverage communities include:
- Tampa, Hyde Park, Westchase, Carrollwood, New Tampa, Temple Terrace
- Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Lithia, Apollo Beach (eastern/southern Hillsborough)
- Sun City Center, Ruskin, Gibsonton (Hillsborough/Manatee border)
- Plant City, Seffner (eastern Hillsborough)
- Many providers also serve St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo (Pinellas County)
- Dade City, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel (Pasco County — confirm coverage)
Confirm your specific ZIP code with the provider before enrolling, particularly if you are in Pasco, Manatee, or Polk counties.
Transitioning from a Tampa hospital to hospice
Many Tampa families begin the hospice conversation after a hospital admission reveals that further treatment is not likely to improve the patient's condition. Major Tampa hospitals with palliative care and hospice coordination include:
- Tampa General Hospital — One of Florida's largest hospitals and a Level I trauma center; has a palliative care program and case managers who coordinate hospice transitions for complex patients.
- Moffitt Cancer Center — Florida's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center; frequently coordinates with hospice when oncology treatment options are exhausted. Moffitt patients transitioning to hospice often have specialized symptom management needs.
- BayCare Health System (St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital-North) — Catholic health system with experienced end-of-life care coordination.
- AdventHealth Tampa — Serves Tampa and surrounding communities; has palliative care services and case management for hospice referrals.
- HCA Florida Brandon Hospital — Serves the eastern Hillsborough County population including Brandon, Riverview, and Valrico.
If the hospital team has not raised hospice, you can ask directly: "Is it time to talk about hospice?" You can also contact a hospice provider directly — they can assess eligibility and facilitate the physician certification without going through the hospital.
Medicare and Florida Medicaid coverage in Tampa
Medicare Part A covers hospice comprehensively for eligible Tampa patients in 2026:
- Nursing visits — $0
- Comfort medications for the terminal diagnosis — $0 or up to $5 per prescription
- Medical equipment (hospital bed, oxygen, wheelchair, bedside commode) — $0
- Home health aide and homemaker services — $0
- Social worker, chaplain, and bereavement counseling — $0
- Inpatient respite care — 5% coinsurance
Florida Medicaid's Statewide Managed Care program covers hospice for qualifying low-income residents. Plans serving Hillsborough County include Humana Medical Plan, Molina Healthcare of Florida, Sunshine Health, and WellCare. Florida has a high concentration of Medicare Advantage enrollees — plans from UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and Florida Blue are common in the Tampa area. These plans must cover hospice at least at Medicare Part A levels.
Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licenses and regulates hospice providers in the state. All Tampa hospice providers serving Medicare patients are required to meet federal certification standards in addition to Florida state licensing requirements.
What to expect when you call a Tampa hospice provider
- Free evaluation: A hospice nurse or social worker visits to assess the patient, review medical records, and confirm eligibility. This is free and does not obligate enrollment.
- Physician certification: The treating physician certifies a prognosis of six months or less. The hospice medical director can also certify if the primary physician is unavailable.
- Benefit election: The patient or their legal representative signs a hospice election, shifting Medicare coverage to the hospice benefit.
- Intake visit: An intake nurse visits within 24 to 48 hours to assess symptoms, arrange medications and equipment delivery, and establish a care plan.
From first call to nurse in the home is typically one to two days for Tampa-area providers. In urgent discharge situations from Tampa General or Moffitt, same-day starts are often possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find hospice care in Tampa, FL?
Search BestHospice.com by ZIP code to find verified hospice providers serving Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Sun City Center, and across Hillsborough County. Free for families, no referral fees.
Does Medicare cover hospice in Tampa?
Yes. Medicare Part A covers nursing, medications, equipment, home health aide, social work, and chaplain services at little to no out-of-pocket cost. A physician must certify a prognosis of six months or less.
Does Florida Medicaid cover hospice in Tampa?
Yes. Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program covers hospice for qualifying low-income residents in Hillsborough County through plans including Humana, Molina, Sunshine Health, and WellCare.
What hospitals in Tampa coordinate hospice referrals?
Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, BayCare (St. Joseph's), AdventHealth Tampa, and HCA Florida Brandon Hospital all coordinate hospice transitions through their case management and palliative care teams.
Is hospice available in Sun City Center?
Yes. Tampa-area hospice providers typically serve Sun City Center, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, and surrounding southern Hillsborough County communities. Confirm your specific ZIP with the provider.
How quickly can hospice start in Tampa?
Most providers can begin within 24 to 48 hours. Same-day starts are available for urgent hospital discharge situations.
Related guides
Find hospice providers in Tampa
Search verified hospice providers serving Tampa, Brandon, Sun City Center, and across the Tampa Bay area. Free for families, no referral fees.
Find Tampa Providers