Caring for someone on palliative care/hospice
Caring for someone with a serious illness or navigating end-of-life care can bring complex choices and emotional weight. Palliative care and hospice are designed to provide comfort, dignity, and quality of life while also supporting families and caregivers. Whether you are looking for symptom management alongside ongoing treatment or comfort-focused care near the end of life, these resources can help you make informed decisions and find peace of mind. Use this page to explore Utah care providers, compare hospice quality ratings, access Veteran and pediatric resources, and find guidance to support your loved one.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. Its goal is to relieve symptoms, reduce stress, and improve quality of life. Palliative care can be provided alongside treatments intended to cure or manage an illness and can begin at diagnosis or at any point during the course of an illness.
Who is palliative care for?
Palliative care may be appropriate for people of any age who are living with a serious or long-term illness. It can also provide education, guidance, and support to family members and caregivers.
Who pays for palliative care?
Coverage for palliative care depends on the services provided and the person's health coverage. Because palliative care is not a single insurance benefit, costs can vary.
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Medicare: Medicare may cover outpatient palliative care visits with a physician, care management, and other medically necessary services under the Medicare benefit. Medicare Part D or other prescription coverage may help pay for medications. Deductibles, copays, or coinsurance may apply.
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Medicaid: Coverage for palliative care services under Medicaid varies by state and depends on Medicaid qualifying criteria, including income eligibility.
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Private health insurance: Many private and employer-sponsored health plans cover palliative care services, but benefits and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan.
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Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Eligible Veterans may receive palliative care through VA health benefits.
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Financial assistance: If a person is uninsured or has gaps in coverage, hospital or provider social workers may be able to help identify financial assistance or nonprofit resources.
Ask about palliative care early.
Many people wait until an illness is advanced, but starting palliative care when a serious illness is diagnosed provides the best support.
What is hospice?
Hospice is specialized care for people with a terminal diagnosis who choose comfort-focused care rather than treatment intended to cure the terminal illness. Minors and Veterans may be able to receive hospice and curative services concurrently for the same illness. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, symptom management, and quality of life while also supporting family members and caregivers.
Key facts about hospice:
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Focuses on comfort: Hospice works to relieve pain and other symptoms, reduce stress, and support quality of life.
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Often provided at home: Many people receive hospice care in a private residence, but hospice may also be provided in nursing facilities, assisted living communities, hospitals, or inpatient hospice settings, depending on individual needs and available services.
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Supports the whole family: The hospice team may include physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains (spiritual care providers), hospice aides, and other professionals who support the patient and family.
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Provides related medications, supplies, and equipment: Under the hospice benefit, medications, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment related to the terminal illness and related conditions are usually provided as part of the plan of care at no cost.
- Includes volunteer support: Trained hospice volunteers may provide companionship, caregiver respite, and other support based on the needs of the patient and family.
Who is hospice for?
Hospice is for people with a terminal illness who meet eligibility requirements and choose hospice care. For the Medicare hospice benefit, physicians certify that the person is expected to have a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. However, a person may continue receiving hospice beyond six months if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Hospice is available to eligible patients of all ages and also provides support to their families and caregivers.
Who pays for hospice?
Hospice may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, or private insurance. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend on the person's eligibility and health plan.
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Medicare: Medicare Part A covers hospice care for eligible beneficiaries. Most covered hospice services have no deductible, but limited cost-sharing may apply, including a small copayment for certain outpatient medications and coinsurance for inpatient respite care.
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Medicaid: Hospice coverage is available to eligible beneficiaries under applicable Medicaid rules. Coverage details should be confirmed with the individual's Medicaid plan or state Medicaid program.
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Private insurance: Most private and employer-sponsored health plans include hospice benefits. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Eligible Veterans may receive hospice care through VA health benefits.
- Financial assistance: Patients without adequate coverage can ask hospice providers about financial assistance, charity care, or other available resources.
Hospice is not about giving up hope. It is about focusing on comfort and quality of life.
You do not have to wait until the final days of life to ask questions about hospice. Contacting a hospice provider earlier can provide more time to understand available services and receive support.
How to choose a hospice provider
Choosing the right hospice provider ensures the person you support receives compassionate, high-quality care tailored to their specific physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs.
Start with basic qualifications and quality information
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Medicare certification: If Medicare will be used to pay for hospice, confirm the provider is Medicare-certified.
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Accreditation: Some hospice providers choose accreditation through independent organizations such as The Joint Commission or Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). Accreditation can be one factor to consider, but it is not the only measure of quality.
- Medicare Care Compare: Use Medicare's Care Compare tool to review available hospice quality measures and caregiver experience information.
What to consider when choosing a hospice provider
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After-hours support: Ask how to reach clinical staff after normal business hours, whether support is available 24/7, and how urgent needs are handled.
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Admission process: You should have an opportunity to ask questions and understand the hospice benefit, services, and plan of care before signing admission paperwork.
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Communication and coordination: Ask how the hospice team communicates with the patient's physicians, facility staff, caregivers, and other members of the care team.
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Staffing and continuity: Ask who will provide care, how often team members typically visit, how staffing changes are handled, and whether the patient can expect reasonable continuity among nurses and aides.
This guide from the Center for Medicare Advocacy helps you know exactly what to ask when picking a hospice provider, including important topics like what services are offered, any out-of-pocket costs, and how to get help after regular business hours.
What are the core goals, eligibility requirements, and coverage options for palliative care and hospice?
Understanding how palliative care and hospice work helps you make clear, confident choices for the comfort of your loved one. Use these guides to explore service goals, see who qualifies, and learn how insurance and Medicare cover care costs.
CaringInfo's palliative care page: Explains goals, concepts, and payment.
CaringInfo's hospice care page: Details eligibility, coverage, and what to expect from care teams.
Homecare & Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU): Clear local explanations of palliative and hospice care for Utahns.
Where can I find symptom relief and support while my loved one is receiving treatment?
Palliative care works alongside medical treatments to relieve symptoms and reduce daily stress so you don't have to choose between seeking treatment and staying comfortable. Explore these regional hospital and provider networks to find specialized support teams near you.
Get Palliative Care directory: National searchable directory to find palliative care teams by city, state, or ZIP code.
How do I choose a hospice provider and understand Medicare coverage?
You have the right to choose a hospice provider that aligns with the needs and values of the person in your care. Use these trusted tools to select the best care options for them.
Center for Medicare Advocacy's Questions to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider guide: Helps patients and their families know exactly what to ask when picking a hospice provider, including important topics like what services are offered, any out-of-pocket costs, and how to get help after regular business hours.
Medicare's Care Compare: Search Medicare-certified hospices and compare official quality ratings.
Hospice Analytics: Find local hospices with weighted quality scores.
Homecare & Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU): Local Utah directory and reviews.
Seniors Blue Book: Local Utah directory and reviews.
Hospice Foundation of America: Guide on when hospice is appropriate and what to expect.
Medicare.gov hospice coverage: Clear breakdown of Medicare hospice benefits and covered services.
Where can I find specialized support for caring for a child with a serious illness?
Caring for a child with a serious illness brings unique emotional and physical demands, but dedicated help is available for your whole family. These specialized resources offer pediatric-focused care toolkits, respite options, and guidance to help you protect your child's comfort and quality of life.
Courageous Parents Network: Family-centered videos, guides, and stories helping parents navigate pediatric palliative care.
Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition: Toolkits tailored for families of medically fragile children to support physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
The Conversation Project: Specialized conversation guides to help with discussing goals, values, and decision-making.
National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes: Connects families to community-based homes offering overnight respite and specialized palliative care for youth.
What end-of-life and comfort care benefits are available to Veterans?
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers dedicated palliative and hospice benefits to ensure Veterans receive dignified comfort care. Explore these guides to learn about VA eligibility rules, covered end-of-life services, and direct support for caregivers.
VA Geriatrics & Extended Care - Palliative Care: Pain management, symptom relief, and care planning for Veterans at any stage of a serious illness.
VA Geriatrics & Extended Care - Hospice Care: Comfort care, dignity, and end-of-life support for Veterans with a life expectancy of six months or less.
VA Caregiver Support Program: Fact sheets, mentorship, and relief programs specifically for caregivers supporting Veterans.
Reality Check
Hospice means giving up.
Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
Palliative care is only for dying patients.
Palliative care can begin at any stage of serious illness.
Hospice is only for the last few days.
Many patients and families benefit from hospice for months.
Hospice means you have to leave home.
Hospice is often provided wherever the patient lives.