How Much Does Hospice Cost, and How to Pay

Hospice care provides specialized care for individuals in the advanced stages of an illness who are no longer pursuing treatment and have around six months or less to live. Common hospice services include pain management and medication administration, personal care, assistance with daily activities, and emotional support.

Hospice care aims to enhance quality of life by addressing clinical and emotional needs while honoring the patient's goals and wishes for the time they have left. Hospice also provides compassionate support for families, assistance with comfort-related hygiene (sponge baths and compresses), and emotional support. To receive hospice care, physicians must first certify that the condition is terminal and the person qualifies for this support.

When a loved one begins to near the end of life, hospice care can offer support to manage physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges during this deeply personal time. In 2022, about 1.7 million people on Medicare spent at least one day in hospice care, demonstrating how many families rely on this form of support when it matters most.

Hospice care typically covers medications, medical equipment, emotional support, grief counseling, and even spiritual guidance — helping to ease the burden during a difficult period.Knowing what hospice offers, how it works, and the cost of this approach can make it easier for families to plan and ensure their loved one's final days are spent with dignity, care, and peace.

Hospice care provides comprehensive support for patients and families navigating one of life's most challenging moments. It meets the physical and emotional needs of the person receiving care while gently guiding loved ones through the caregiving journey and the healing that follows loss.

• Pain Management: Hospice professionals are available to ease pain and manage symptoms, making sure each day is as comfortable as possible.
• Therapies: Support can also include services like physiotherapy, which can help people live independently and improve their quality of life.
• Counseling: Trained professionals provide bereavement counseling to help families cope with loss and healing.
• Respite Care: Respite care ensures caregivers have a few hours to rest and recharge when managing the needs of a loved one.
• Other Support: The hospice team also offers emotional support, counseling, and guidance to help everyone through the final stages. Hospice will also often coordinate with the patient’s place of worship, if they have one, to make sure that denomination is present in the care plan.

The cost of hospice care at home varies depending on the level of support. For many, hospice services begin with routine home care — a team of nurses, aides, chaplains, and social workers visits the home or assisted living facility to provide medical care, personal support, counseling, and essential supplies. On average, this service costs about $218.61/day for the first 60 days, then $172.57/day after that.

In the final stages of life, symptoms can become increasingly complex, necessitating ongoing home care and support. This more intensive service provides round-the-clock nursing care at home to manage severe symptoms or crises. Costs for this care can reach around $1,566/ day.

Fortunately, the full cost of hospice care is often covered by insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, though a small copay may apply for certain prescription medications. Most seniors who qualify for Medicare typically pay little to nothing out of pocket. 

Those covered under Medicaid may also have minimal costs, although benefits can vary by state. For individuals with private insurance, coverage and out-of-pocket expenses depend on the specific plan and provider.

End-stage care can be expensive, which understandably leads many families to ask how to pay for hospice care while focusing on their loved one's comfort and peace. Fortunately, for those who meet eligibility requirements, the full expense is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. This coverage provides access to dignified, end-of-life care with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Individuals 65 and above, along with people of any age who qualify for Medicare, can qualify for hospice care through Medicare Part A. Eligibility usually applies to those who have worked and paid into Medicare through payroll taxes, along with spouses who meet these requirements.

Medicare Part A covers a wide range of hospice services, like prescription drugs for symptom relief, nursing care, medical equipment, and supplies. Note that hospice does not cover room and board in a senior living community. This support is available whether hospice care is provided at home, in an assisted living facility or nursing home, or at a Medicare-approved hospice center.

To qualify, you need to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and have a doctor certify that you have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. You also need to agree to receive comfort-focused care instead of continuing treatments intended to cure your illness.

In most states, Medicaid provides hospice coverage for seniors who qualify, including those with low income, disabilities, or long-term care needs. This support covers essential services like in-home care, medical visits, counseling, room and board, and supplies — easing the emotional and financial burden of end-of-life services.

To receive hospice care through Medicaid, a doctor must certify that the individual has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of about six months or less. Like Medicare, Medicaid also requires patients to sign an agreement choosing to focus on comfort-based care rather than treatments aimed at curing the illness.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers veterans' benefits, including hospice care, which can be delivered at home, in residential settings, or in outpatient clinics. These services provide symptom relief, medication management, and counseling.

TRICARE offers hospice coverage at home or in certified facilities. While it doesn't cover room and board in inpatient settings, it includes services like comfort care, home health aides, and respite support. To qualify, veterans must be enrolled in VA health care and have a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less. TRICARE also requires a doctor's order and a decision to receive hospice care instead of treatments focused on improving the condition.

Private health insurance plans often include coverage for end-of-life care, including hospice services, provided you meet certain eligibility criteria. However, coverage can depend on the provider and plan. Speak directly with your insurance company to clarify services and ensure the coverage applies to the care you need most.

The daily cost of hospice care typically ranges from $218-$1,566, depending on the type of care, setting, and location.
In-home hospice is generally more affordable than inpatient or 24-hour care. However, even routine services like nursing visits, medications, medical equipment, and emotional support — can quickly add up, making costs overwhelming without proper coverage.

While hospice and palliative care focus on comfort during a serious illness, palliative care can begin at any stage to ease symptoms and improve quality of life — even alongside active treatment plans. Hospice care, however, is reserved for the final months of life when the focus shifts to comfort and dignity rather than curing an illness.

The cost of hospice care can vary based on where it's provided — whether at home, in a facility, or in a hospital. Factors like the level of care required, the duration of care, and the use of medications or medical equipment also influence the total cost.

On average, daily hospice care can range from $218-$1,566.

Palliative care provides comfort, relieves symptoms, and boosts emotional well-being rather than curing the illness. The average cost for medical, psychological, and spiritual support, plus care coordination, averages around $95.30/day.

Hospice care can make a significant difference in providing a loved one with a dignified, comfortable, and compassionate end-of-life experience. But if you're considering regular or round-the-clock support, the financial toll can leave you wondering, "How much is hospice care?"

Fortunately, with the right coverage, much or even all of the cost can be significantly reduced or fully covered. Programs like Medicare and Medicaid, along with private insurance, offer hospice benefits, though coverage details may vary.

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• Gerriets, V., et al. (2021). Hospice care. StatPearls
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• NHPCO facts and figures: 2024 edition. (2024). National Alliance for Care at Home