Care Settings
Hospice
Quick answer
Hospice is comfort-focused care for people with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of 6 months or less. It's covered under Part A, at little or no cost to the beneficiary.
Plain-English definition
Hospice includes medical, emotional, and spiritual support at home or in a hospice facility.
Why it matters
Hospice prioritizes quality of life over curative treatment.
A simple example
You elect hospice and a team supports you and your family at home.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Home Health Care
Home health care covers skilled nursing, physical therapy, and other services delivered at home for beneficiaries who are homebound and under a physician's care plan.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) provides short-term rehab and skilled care after a qualifying hospital stay. Under Original Medicare, Part A covers up to 100 days of SNF care per benefit period with cost-sharing after day 20.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, home health care, and hospice. Most people get Part A premium-free at 65.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose my other Medicare benefits?+
You keep them for care unrelated to the terminal condition.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.