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Does Medicare Cover Room and Board in a Hospice Facility?

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Whether Medicare covers room and board for hospice care depends on the patient’s care setting and specific needs:

  • Hospice at Home: Medicare does not cover room and board for patients who receive hospice care in their private residence. The costs for housing, utilities, and meals remain the responsibility of the patient.
  • Assisted Living Facilities: Medicare typically pays for clinical hospice services (such as nursing visits, medical equipment, and medications), but it does not cover the facility’s room and board charges. These costs must be covered by the patient or other sources like Medicaid or long-term care insurance.
  • Medicare-Certified Nursing Homes: If a nursing home is the patient’s primary residence, Medicare may cover room and board in addition to hospice clinical services, provided eligibility requirements are met.
  • Inpatient Care Levels: Medicare covers room and board when a patient is receiving Inpatient Respite Care (brief stays up to five days to give caregivers a rest) or General Inpatient Care (for managing acute symptoms that cannot be handled at home) in a Medicare-approved facility.

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