Medicare covers most hospice care costs when you’re enrolled. Once you elect hospice care, Original Medicare pays for all care related to your terminal illness and related conditions, even if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Your out-of-pocket costs are minimal. You pay nothing for hospice care services. You’ll pay a small copayment of up to $5 for each prescription drug used for pain and symptom management. If a drug isn’t covered by hospice, your provider will check if Part D covers it and inform you of any costs. You may pay 5% of the Medicare-Approved Amount for inpatient respite care, which gives your regular caregiver a break. If you live in a facility like a nursing home, you’ll continue paying room and board costs while receiving hospice care.

If you had a Medicare Advantage Plan before starting hospice, you can keep it for services unrelated to your terminal condition. You can choose to receive these non-hospice services from either your Medicare Advantage Plan providers or from any Medicare provider who accepts Original Medicare. Your plan continues covering these services according to its rules and costs.