Does Medicare cover palliative care?

3-minute readPublished 10/12/2026Updated 11:37 AM EST, 10/12/2026

Woman at home getting helped by a nurse.

Yes, Medicare often covers palliative care services under Part A (Hospital insurance) , Part B (Medical insurance) and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) . Your exact coverage and out-of-pocket costs can depend on your plan, provider and treatment setting.

Let’s explore how Medicare covers palliative care, what services are included and what you can expect to pay.

Key points

Palliative care helps people with serious illnesses manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Coverage for palliative care often comes through Parts A, B and C.
There’s no set time limit for coverage if the care remains medically necessary and Medicare rules are met.
Out-of-pocket costs depend on how the services are covered.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. A dedicated care team works closely with you, your family and healthcare providers to provide medical, social and emotional support as long as necessary.

Common goals of palliative care are:
Pain and symptom management
Emotional and psychological support
Coordination of care between specialists
Assistance with treatment decisions
Nutritional counseling
Spiritual support

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3-minute readPublished 10/12/2026Updated 11:37 AM EST, 10/12/2026

Which parts of Medicare cover palliative care?

Medicare doesn't have a standalone "palliative care benefit." Instead, coverage comes through a combination of Part A, Part B, and Part C.

Medicare Part A coverage for palliative care

Part A may help cover palliative care services as part of:

An inpatient hospital stay
A skilled nursing facility stay
Home health care, if you qualify
Hospice care, if you meet hospice eligibility requirements

Medicare Part B coverage for palliative care

Part B covers many outpatient palliative care services, including:

Doctor visits
Specialist visits
Nurse practitioner services
Outpatient counseling
Certain medically necessary treatments
Care planning related to serious illness

Medicare Advantage (Part C) coverage for palliative care

Medicare Advantage plans must cover everything included in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), so many palliative care services are covered. However, each plan may have its own different rules, provider networks and prior authorization requirements.

Medicare Part D coverage for palliative care

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDP) don’t cover palliative care services like physician visits or home health. However, Part D may cover prescription drugs used in palliative care as long as:

the drug is on the plan’s formulary, and
other Part D coverage rules are met

What palliative care services does Medicare cover?

Medicare covers a range of palliative care services, including:

Doctor visits and consultations with palliative care specialists
Pain management medications and treatments
Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs or hospital beds)
Skilled nursing care
Mental health counseling related to coping with a serious illness
Nutritional counseling

Coverage for each service can depend if it's inpatient (Part A) or outpatient (Part B) care.

How long will Medicare pay for palliative care?

There is no fixed time limit. Medicare may continue to cover palliative care as long as:

The care is medically necessary, and
You still meet Medicare’s rules for coverage

How much does palliative care cost with Medicare?

Out-of-pocket costs for palliative care depend on which part of Medicare covers the service:

Part A: After meeting the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026), most inpatient palliative care services are covered wat no additional coinsurance for the first 60 days of a hospital stay.

Part B: You typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for outpatient palliative care services after meeting the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).

Medicare Advantage: Costs vary by plan, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Review your plan's Summary of Benefits to get a clear picture of your costs.

Does Medicare pay for palliative care at home?

Yes, Medicare covers home healthcare services for palliative care when prescribed by a doctor and delivered by a Medicare-certified clinician. This often falls under Medicare's home health services benefit. For more information, learn about palliative care at home .¹

Learn more about Medicare

For more information on the costs, coverage and types of Medicare plans, check out our library of Medicare articles . To see Medicare plans in your area with their premiums, copays and participating doctors and pharmacies, visit our Humana Medicare plans page .

Frequently asked questions

1. Does Medicare cover palliative care for dementia?

Yes, Medicare may cover palliative care for people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, when medically necessary. Covered care may include symptoms and pain management, care coordination and support for caregivers.

2. What conditions qualify for palliative care under Medicare?

Medicare doesn't restrict palliative care to specific conditions. Any serious illness that causes significant symptoms or reduces quality of life, such as cancer, heart failure or dementia, can qualify if it's medically necessary.

3. What are the main differences between palliative care and hospice care?

Palliative care can be provided with curative treatment, at any stage of a serious illness and has no time limit. Hospice care is only for patients with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of 6 months or less and focuses on comfort instead of curative treatment.