How long does Medicare pay for hospitalization?

To receive hospice care, a patient must receive a doctor’s diagnosis of a terminal illness with a life expectancy ofup to 6 months if the disease progresses normally. However, sometimes patients live longer than this 6-month period.

• If the hospice director/physician determines that the patient is no longer terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less, he or she must transfer the patient from care to the community.
• If a patient’s terminal illness persists, they may be recertified for hospice care. The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers an unlimited number of 90-90-60 day extensions until the patient is eligible for hospice care.
• Patients’ physicians are involved in the recertification process as they continue to monitor the patient’s condition and prognosis.