Does Medicare Cover Hospice Care in New Jersey?

One of the most common concerns families have when considering hospice care is cost. The good news is that Medicare Part A covers the vast majority of hospice care services, making quality end-of-life care accessible to eligible patients in New Jersey.

Medicare hospice benefits cover a comprehensive range of services including: physician services, registered nursing care, home health aide visits, medical social services, spiritual counseling, bereavement support for the family, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, dietary counseling, medications related to the hospice diagnosis, medical equipment and supplies, and short-term inpatient and respite care.

To be eligible for Medicare hospice benefits, a patient must meet two key criteria: a physician must certify that the patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its natural course, and the patient must sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of routine Medicare-covered benefits for the terminal illness.

It's important to note that hospice benefits are renewable. Hospice care begins with two 90-day benefit periods, followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods. If a patient's condition improves, they can leave hospice and return to regular Medicare coverage at any time.

For patients with Medicaid, New Jersey also provides coverage for hospice services. And most private insurance plans include hospice benefits as well. Our team at Spero Hospice will verify your coverage and explain any costs before care begins.

If you have questions about Medicare hospice coverage or want to understand your benefits, contact Spero Hospice at (732) 955-6648. Our team is experienced in navigating insurance processes and will ensure you understand your coverage options.