Palliative care is specialized medical care that relieves pain, symptoms and stress from a serious illness such as cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease or dementia. You can get it at any stage of illness and alongside treatment aimed at a cure. Hospice is a type of palliative care for people expected to live six months or less who stop curative treatment. Medicare Part B covers palliative care visits like other doctor visits.
What Palliative Care Includes
- Pain and symptom control: breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, poor appetite, sleep problems
- Help with anxiety, depression and the emotional weight of illness
- Clear conversations about treatment choices and goals
- Coordination among your specialists
- Support and training for family caregivers
Care comes from a team that can include a palliative doctor, nurse practitioner, social worker and chaplain, working with your regular doctors.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice
| Palliative care | Hospice | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Any stage, from diagnosis on | Life expectancy of 6 months or less |
| Curative treatment | Continues | Stops for the terminal illness |
| Where | Hospital, clinic, home, nursing home | Mostly at home or where you live |
| Medicare | Part B (and Part A in the hospital); usual cost-sharing | Medicare hospice benefit; little or no cost |
Does Medicare Cover Palliative Care?
Yes, though there is no separate “palliative care benefit.” Part B covers visits with palliative doctors and nurse practitioners, and you pay 20% after the Part B deductible. Part A covers palliative care during a hospital stay. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services and some offer in-home palliative programs. Medicaid and many private insurers cover it too.
If you qualify, the Medicare hospice benefit covers nearly everything related to the terminal illness, including medicines for comfort, equipment and up to five days of inpatient respite at a time for caregivers.
Who Should Ask About Palliative Care
- Anyone with a serious illness who has frequent symptoms or hospital stays
- People facing hard treatment decisions
- Families who feel overwhelmed managing care
- People with dementia whose care needs are growing
How to Get Palliative Care
- Ask your doctor or specialist for a palliative care referral.
- Ask the hospital whether it has a palliative care team, especially during a stay.
- Check your insurance or Medicare Advantage plan for in-home programs.
- Use the provider directory at GetPalliativeCare.org to find programs near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is medical care focused on relieving pain, symptoms and stress from serious illness. It can be given at any stage and alongside curative treatment.
Is palliative care the same as hospice?
No. Hospice is palliative care for people with a life expectancy of six months or less who stop curative treatment. Palliative care has no time limit and does not require stopping treatment.
Does Medicare pay for palliative care?
Yes. Part B covers palliative doctor and nurse practitioner visits with 20% coinsurance after the deductible, and Part A covers palliative care in the hospital.
Does palliative care mean someone is dying?
No. Many people receive palliative care for years while living with a chronic illness. Its goal is better quality of life.
Can palliative care be provided at home?
Yes. Many health systems and Medicare Advantage plans offer home-based palliative care. Availability varies by area.
Who provides palliative care?
A team that may include a palliative doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, social worker and chaplain, working with your other doctors.
Sources: Medicare.gov hospice coverage; Center to Advance Palliative Care (GetPalliativeCare.org). General information, not medical advice.
Part of our Medicare Guide. Costs, enrollment deadlines, Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, Part D and what Medicare covers, all in one place. See the full guide →
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