Hospice vs. Palliative Care: What Is the Difference?
Short answer: Palliative care focuses on comfort and symptom relief for anyone with a serious illness, at any stage of treatment. Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care for people who are no longer pursuing a cure and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Both improve quality of life, but hospice involves stopping curative treatment and is fully covered by Medicare.
Key Takeaways
- Palliative care can begin at any point after a serious illness diagnosis, even while receiving curative treatment.
- Hospice care begins when a patient and their doctors agree that curative treatment is no longer the goal and life expectancy is six months or less.
- Medicare covers hospice care at no cost to the patient. Palliative care coverage varies by insurance plan and treatment type.
- Both types of care are delivered by interdisciplinary teams including nurses, social workers, chaplains, and counselors.
- In 2024, 1.91 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in hospice care, the highest number ever recorded.
What Is the Difference Between Hospice Care and Palliative Care?
The terms "hospice" and "palliative care" are used interchangeably all the time. But they are not the same thing.
Palliative care is a broad approach to care that focuses on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life. It can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, alongside curative treatment. Someone receiving chemotherapy for cancer can also receive palliative care at the same time.
Hospice care is a specific program that falls under the palliative care umbrella. But hospice is reserved for people who have decided to stop pursuing a cure and have a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its expected course. At that point, the entire focus shifts to comfort and quality of life.
According to the National Institute on Aging, hospice care is a specific type of palliative care provided in the final weeks or months of life, while palliative care itself can begin at diagnosis and continue through all stages of illness.
Hospice vs. Palliative Care: Side-by-Side Comparison
This table covers the main differences families and referring physicians ask about most.
| Category | Palliative Care | Hospice Care |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Anyone with a serious or life-limiting illness, at any stage | People with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of 6 months or less who choose comfort over curative treatment |
| When it starts | At any point after diagnosis, even during active treatment | When curative treatment ends and two physicians certify a prognosis of 6 months or less |
| How long it lasts | As long as the patient has a serious illness and needs symptom management | Benefit periods of 90 days, 90 days, then unlimited 60-day recertification periods |
| Goal of care | Comfort alongside curative or disease-modifying treatment | Comfort only, no curative treatment for the terminal illness |
| Where care is provided | Hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or at home | At home, in nursing facilities, assisted living, or inpatient hospice facilities |
| Who provides it | Palliative care specialists, primary care physicians, oncologists, and support staff | Hospice interdisciplinary team: RNs, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, and volunteers |
| Medicare coverage | Covered in part under Medicare Part B for physician and hospital services; coverage varies by service and setting | Fully covered under Medicare Part A hospice benefit at no cost to the patient |
| Medicaid coverage | Varies by state and specific services rendered | Covered by Medicaid in most states for eligible patients |
| Private insurance | Many private plans cover palliative services; check with your provider for specifics | Most private plans include hospice benefits; coverage mirrors Medicare in most cases |
What Is Palliative Care, Exactly?
Palliative care is medical care focused on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and supporting patients and families through a serious illness. The goal is not to cure the disease. The goal is to make life as comfortable as possible while treatment continues.
Palliative care can help with:
- Pain, nausea, and fatigue
- Anxiety and depression related to illness
- Side effects from chemotherapy or other treatments
- Communication between patients, families, and medical teams
- Making decisions about what type of care to pursue
A person can receive palliative care from the day of diagnosis. They can still be actively fighting their illness, and palliative care runs alongside that treatment. There is no minimum or maximum prognosis required.
Coverage for palliative care varies. Many private insurers and Medicare Part B cover palliative services provided in hospitals, outpatient settings, and skilled nursing facilities. But unlike hospice, palliative care does not come as a single, all-inclusive benefit. Families often receive separate bills for individual services.
What Is Hospice Care, Exactly?
Hospice care is a specific program for people who are nearing the end of life and have chosen comfort over curative treatment. According to CMS, hospice changes the focus entirely to comfort care and symptom management, rather than trying to cure or slow the underlying disease.
To qualify for hospice under Medicare, a patient must meet all three conditions:
- Two physicians certify the patient is terminally ill with a life expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease runs its expected course
- The patient chooses comfort-focused care instead of curative treatment for the terminal illness
- The patient signs a Hospice Election Statement electing the Medicare hospice benefit
Once enrolled, hospice provides a full care team. At Suncrest, that team includes registered nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, spiritual care providers, bereavement counselors, and trained hospice volunteers. The focus is entirely on the patient and the family.
Hospice is not just for cancer patients. The 2025 Facts and Figures report from the National Alliance for Care at Home shows that in 2024, circulatory conditions were the most common principal diagnosis (29.8%), followed by neurovascular conditions (25.4%), and cancer (22.3%).
To learn more about what is included in a hospice program, see our full guide to what hospice care is.
How Does Medicare Cover Each Type of Care?
Medicare coverage is one of the biggest practical differences between the two.
Hospice: Full Coverage, No Out-of-Pocket Costs
Hospice is the only Medicare benefit that bundles virtually all services into one all-inclusive benefit. Under the Medicare hospice benefit, patients pay nothing for covered hospice services. That includes:
- Physician and skilled nursing visits
- Medications related to the terminal illness
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Social work, counseling, and chaplain services
- Bereavement support for the family after the patient passes
- Inpatient respite care (short-term relief for the caregiver)
Medicaid also covers hospice care in most states for eligible patients. Private insurance typically mirrors Medicare hospice benefits. Suncrest is a Medicare-approved hospice agency, and services are fully covered for eligible patients.
Palliative Care: Coverage Varies by Service and Plan
Palliative care coverage is less straightforward. Medicare Part B covers physician consultations and many hospital-based palliative services. But coverage for home-based palliative programs, social work, or chaplain services varies significantly depending on the insurance plan.
Patients receiving palliative care outside of a hospice program often receive separate bills for each service. It is worth checking with your insurance provider before beginning a palliative care program to understand what is and is not covered.
When Should a Family Consider Switching from Palliative to Hospice Care?
This is one of the hardest questions a family faces. Here are signs that it may be time to consider hospice:
- Treatment is no longer working or the side effects outweigh the benefits
- The patient's condition is declining despite treatment
- The patient has expressed a preference for comfort over more aggressive care
- The primary physician has indicated a prognosis of six months or less
- The family is exhausted and needs more structured support at home
Choosing hospice is not giving up. Many families say that enrolling in hospice earlier than expected gave their loved one a better quality of life in their final months than continued curative treatment would have.
"Families often tell us they wish they had called sooner. Hospice is not the end of care. It is a different kind of care, and for many patients, it is the best care they have ever received."
[AUTHOR NAME], [AUTHOR TITLE], Suncrest Hospice
For more detail on the length of time a patient can remain on palliative care, see our page on how long palliative care lasts.
Can a Patient Go Back to Curative Treatment After Starting Hospice?
Yes. Enrolling in hospice is not a permanent decision. If a patient's condition improves or they change their mind about pursuing curative treatment, they can revoke the hospice election at any time and return to regular Medicare benefits for curative care.
Patients can also re-enroll in hospice later if their condition changes again.
What Does a Hospice Care Team Look Like at Home?
Most hospice care in the United States is delivered at home. For families considering this option, understanding who visits and how often matters.
A Suncrest home hospice team typically includes:
- Registered nurses who visit regularly to assess symptoms and adjust the care plan
- Home health aides who assist with bathing, personal hygiene, and daily comfort
- Social workers who connect families with community resources and help with planning
- Chaplains and spiritual care providers for emotional and spiritual support
- Bereavement counselors who support the family before and after the patient passes
Suncrest visits more times per week compared to the national average. That means more support for the patient and less burden on family caregivers.
Learn more about what to expect when care comes to you on our hospice care at home page.
How Widespread Is Hospice Care Today?
Hospice use has been growing steadily. In 2024, 1.91 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in hospice care, a 4.4% increase from 2023. For the first time, more than half of all Medicare decedents (53.1%) received hospice care in 2024.
That shift reflects a growing recognition that comfort-focused care often results in a better quality of life in the final months of illness than continued aggressive treatment.
To find a Suncrest location near you, visit our hospice care locations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is palliative care the same as hospice care?
No. Palliative care is a broad approach to comfort and symptom management for anyone with a serious illness. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for people who are no longer seeking a cure and have a prognosis of six months or less. All hospice care is palliative, but not all palliative care is hospice.
Can you receive palliative care while still getting treatment?
Yes. That is one of the key differences between the two. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, alongside chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or any other treatment. Hospice care, by contrast, requires the patient to stop curative treatment for the terminal illness.
Does Medicare cover palliative care?
Medicare Part B covers many palliative care services delivered by physicians and in hospital settings, but coverage varies by service and location. It does not bundle all palliative services into a single benefit the way it does for hospice. Families typically receive separate bills for individual palliative services. Hospice, on the other hand, is fully covered under Medicare Part A with no out-of-pocket costs for covered services.
Does Medicare cover hospice care?
Yes, fully. The Medicare Part A hospice benefit covers all services related to the terminal illness at no cost to the patient. That includes nursing visits, medications, equipment, social work, chaplain services, and bereavement support. Medicaid and most private insurance plans also cover hospice care.
How do you know when it is time for hospice instead of palliative care?
The main signals are that treatment is no longer working or the patient no longer wants to continue curative treatment, and a physician has determined a prognosis of six months or less. Many families say they wish they had made the transition to hospice sooner. Earlier enrollment often means more time to benefit from the full care team and to focus on what matters most.
What is “comfort care” and how is it different from hospice or palliative care?
"Comfort care" is a general term that refers to care focused on relieving pain and symptoms rather than treating a disease. It is often used interchangeably with palliative care. Hospice is a formal Medicare-funded program that delivers comfort care for terminally ill patients and their families in a structured, team-based way.
Can a patient leave hospice if their condition improves?
Yes. A patient can revoke their hospice election at any time and return to regular Medicare coverage for curative treatment. If they meet eligibility requirements again later, they can re-enroll in hospice. Hospice is a choice, not a one-way door.
Where is hospice care provided?
Most hospice care is provided at home. It can also be delivered in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and inpatient hospice facilities. The patient and family choose the setting that works best for them.
Does hospice care include bereavement support?
Yes. Bereavement support for the family is a required part of every Medicare-certified hospice program. At Suncrest, we offer grief counseling and support for families after their loved one passes, and we hold an annual memorial service to honor patients we have cared for.
What illnesses qualify a patient for hospice care?
Hospice is not limited to cancer. Any terminal illness qualifies, including heart disease, COPD, kidney disease, dementia, Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's, and more. The qualifying factor is the prognosis, not the diagnosis. Two physicians must certify a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its expected course.
Ready to Talk About Care Options for Your Loved One?
Understanding the difference between hospice and palliative care is the first step. The next one is talking to someone who can help you figure out what the right choice looks like for your family.
Suncrest has helped thousands of families through this decision. Our team can explain your options clearly, answer your questions, and connect you with the right level of care for where your loved one is today.
Call us today or find a Suncrest location near you. We are here whenever you are ready.
If you want to learn more before you call, start with our guide: What Is Hospice Care? Or, if you are exploring care options at home, visit our hospice care at home page for a full overview of what to expect.
