Hospice services are paid for by Medicare (Part A), Medical Assistance, Minnesota Care and commercial insurance. Rice Hospice will work with you and your family to identify ways to pay for services. However, care is provided regardless of ability to pay.

Source: Rice Hospice 2003

Hospice care is covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. You may elect to receive this benefit if

• The patient is enrolled in Medicare Part A
• The patient's Physician and the Hospice Medical Director certify that the patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six (6) months or less (if the illness runs its normal course)
• The patient chooses hospice instead of the standard Medicare Part A benefits for the terminal illness.
• The patient receives care from a Medicare-certified hospice program.
  

Medicare pays only for services that are authorized by the hospice team. You may discontinue the hospice benefit at any time and resume your standard Medicare benefit.

While enrolled in hospice, standard Medicare benefits are still available for the treatment of health problems unrelated to the terminal illness, and all Part B benefits for physician services are also available.

Hospice is available as a benefit under Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care.

If the patient has health care coverage through a private insurance company, frequently there is a hospice benefit available. Rice Hospice will assist the patient and family in researching and coordinating their benefits.

When there is no third-party payer, individuals may pay privately for services. Rice Hospice will assist the patient and family in determining available resources to supplement cost of hospice care.