Southern California
Government Programs
For many, the potential costs of hospice care may be a daunting obstacle that will make them hesitate about using the service. However, there are a number of options to pay for hospice care.
There are a few programs offered by the government that cover many of the costs associated with hospice care:
- Medicare: Medicare will often cover all the costs associated with hospice care for a terminal illness, but only if the patient is receiving hospice care from a Medicare-approved hospice provider. It can cover hospice care provided within the home, but will not cover room and board costs in this scenario.
- Medicaid: Patients who are eligible for Medicaid generally have a lower income or fewer assets, and Medicaid helps to supplement their medical costs.
- Veterans’ Benefits: For patients with Veterans’ benefits, hospice care will be covered in a similar fashion to Medicare’s coverage and will typically cover most, if not all, costs.
Health Insurance
The majority of health insurance plans will cover hospice costs as well in the event that the patient does not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans’ benefits.
As for uninsured patients, coverage and costs will vary depending on the hospice provider. In some cases, the provider may offer scalable payments at a reduced cost to meet a patient’s financial needs. Additionally, there may be financial assistance opportunities through grants and community resources.