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Is Respite Care Covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit?

Yes, respite care is a vital benefit built into the Medicare hospice benefit. This service is designed to provide temporary relief for primary caregivers to help prevent burnout.

Under this benefit, families can access the following support:

  • Length of Stay: Patients can stay at a Medicare-approved facility for up to five consecutive days per stay.
  • Cost: The service is covered under the hospice per-diem payment, meaning there is no extra out-of-pocket cost to the patient or family. Cherish Hospice handles all related paperwork and billing through the hospice benefit.
  • Frequency: Medicare does not impose a fixed limit on how many times a family can request respite care. It can be used multiple times, allowing families to plan recurring stays based on the caregiver’s needs.
  • Clinical Support: During the stay, the patient receives 24/7 skilled nursing care, professional medication management, and assistance with daily activities (such as bathing and mobility) from hospice aides.

Cherish Hospice coordinates all logistical details for these stays, including arranging admission to a Medicare-approved facility and coordinating necessary transportation.

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