How to Pay for Hospice

Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance all pay for hospice. It's very rare for a patient or family to have any out-of-pocket expenses.

Who Pays for Hospice?

Terminally ill patients do not usually have to pay for hospice care, and many use the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Here's what it includes and how it works.

A man seated in a wheelchair has his granddaughter in his lap while surrounded by his wife and grandson

Medicare and the Cost of Hospice

Medicare covers the cost of hospice, and you qualify for Medicare if you meet certain conditions. See what they are.

A couple looks at paperwork while their daughter points to it

Insurance and Hospice

Private insurance plans generally cover hospice and palliative care costs in full, but the terms and conditions of eligibility of each plan will vary.

A couple on a sofa looks over paperwork and a laptop sitting on their coffee table

Hospice and the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI)

Starting in 2020, healthcare providers will no longer accept Social Security numbers for Medicare transactions. Your new Medicare card has the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number you need.

A VITAS team member at the Care Connection Center, ready to answer a call

Contacts & Billing Info

Patients, families and healthcare professionals who have a question for VITAS can find contact information in our Help Center.

Patient contact information
Frequently asked questions
Hospice care downloads
Payment information
Online bill pay

Go to Help Center