Hospice benefit
Hospice is a Part A benefit. It is not the home health benefit and not a Medicare Advantage extra benefit by itself, though plans must cover it.
Source: Medicare.gov, Hospice care. Page read October 14, 2026.
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Definition
Hospice benefit
The Medicare hospice benefit covers care for a terminal illness when a person elects hospice and a physician certifies a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. The election waives Medicare payment for curative care of that illness. This page does not start an election.
Questions
Hospice benefit, answered
Does electing hospice cancel Medicare?
No. The person stays in Medicare. The election changes how Medicare pays for the terminal illness.