Which part of Medicare pays for hospice services?

• A. Medicare Part A
• B. Medicare Part B
• C. Medicare Part C
• D. Medicare Part D

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how Medicare pays for hospice. Hospice is a benefit under Medicare Part A, available to people with a terminal illness who elect hospice and agree to forego curative treatment. When you opt in, Medicare pays for most hospice services under Part A, including skilled nursing, home health visits, medical equipment and supplies, social work and counseling, and medications specifically for controlling pain and symptoms, plus short-term inpatient respite care.

Part A is the payer for the hospice benefit itself; Part B covers outpatient medical services but not the hospice package. Part C (Medicare Advantage) is another way to receive Medicare benefits but doesn’t replace the hospice coverage under Part A. Part D covers prescription drugs, typically outside the hospice scope, and is not the source for the hospice medications (which are covered under the hospice benefit in Part A).