Although Medicare covers most hospice services, it does not include the following:
-
Medical treatment and any prescription drugs used for that treatment.
-
Care unrelated to the patient’s final diagnosis or not arranged by the hospice provider.
-
Housing and food costs, such as nursing home room fees, rent, or mortgage. Patients living at home also pay for their own housing and meals.
Hospice providers also cover short hospital stays in an inpatient unit (IPU) when a patient experiences a medical emergency or worsening symptoms.