Hospice care is provided to patients who have a limited life expectancy. Although most hospice patients are cancer or Alzheimer’s patients, hospices accept anyone regardless of age or type of illness. These patients have decided to spend their last months at home or in a homelike setting.

Generally speaking, the hospice benefit is intended for use with patients whose prognosis is terminal—with six months to live or less. Medicare does recognize that terminal illnesses are unpredictable in their course and the benefit is available for extended periods of time beyond six months. Proper certification is required at the start of each coverage period.