What Happens if a Patient Outlives their 6-month Terminal Prognosis?

A six-month terminal prognosis is a medical estimate for planning comfort-focused care, not a fixed deadline. If you outlive this initial timeframe, you do not lose access to care. As long as your condition continues its expected trajectory, you can remain on hospice through a series of Medicare hospice benefit periods.

Our process ensures continuous support through these structured intervals:

• Initial Periods: Coverage begins with a 90-day initial period, followed by a second 90-day recertification period.
• Unlimited Extensions: After the first two periods, you can be recertified for unlimited 60-day periods as long as two physicians—your attending doctor and our hospice medical director—certify that you still meet the eligibility criteria.

At the start of each new period, we reassess your condition to ensure care remains personalized and responsive. If your health improves to the point that you no longer meet the terminal illness criteria, you may be discharged from hospice. This is a positive change, and you can always re-enroll later if your illness worsens.

We believe care always matters throughout the entire journey, and we stay by your side for as long as you need us. Please consult with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice, as results may vary based on individual patient conditions. Remember that you may discontinue hospice services at any time, as hospice care focuses on comfort rather than cure.

• Terminal Illness Life Expectancy: What Families Need to Know