Although most hospice services are covered under the Medicare hospice benefit, the following items are not covered:
- Medical treatment, including any prescription drugs associated with the treatment.
- Unavoidable care that is not related to the patient’s final diagnosis or that was not arranged by the hospice care provider.
- Costs related to housing services and nursing home room fees or rent, as well as food. This includes mortgage or rent and food for patients living at home. (These products include hospice patients who have a medical emergency due to worsening symptoms and a short in-hospital stay (IPU).