38 Hospice Facts, Statistics and FAQ

Average Hospice Length of Stay and Other Key Statistics

The time a person stays in hospice varies from patient to patient. Hospice care needs are different for everyone, so two patients with the same illness may stay in hospice for drastically different lengths of time.

How Expensive Is Hospice and Who Covers the Costs?

Medicare covers the majority of costs associated with hospice. But there are certain elements that may partially be the patient’s financial responsibility, including prescription copays and inpatient respite care.

Common Hospice Myths and Misconceptions

The public is generally poorly educated on the concept of hospice care, resulting in a wide variety of myths to develop and flourish. Those with a stronger understanding of hospice tend to appreciate its benefits. One recent survey revealed that 42% of home health agency leaders believe the public has a positive perspective on home health.

Hospice Care Industry

There were over 4,800 Medicare-certified hospices in business in 2019, when the last count was published. That total represents an increase of more than 18% since 2014. The type of care available also continues to expand, with many hospices now incorporating pediatric care and concierge services.

History of Hospice and Palliative Care

The concept of hospice first evolved in England in the middle of the 20th century, when it was innovative to focus on the quality of life for dying patients. In the decades since, it has spread across the world and become a valued asset in modern health care.

Hospice FAQs

When surveyed, 71% of Americans feel that “helping people die without pain, discomfort and stress” is the most important aspect of end-of-life healthcare. Identifying how best to support a dying loved one in achieving that can be daunting. Some questions about hospice repeatedly pop up as people strive to both understand and make the most of hospice services.

What’s Included in Hospice Care?

A broad spectrum of services and equipment are available in hospice care. They may include:

• Medical management of a patient’s pain and other symptoms
• Medications, medical supplies and equipment for pain relief and symptom management
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy services
• Home aide services
• Nutritional/dietary counseling
• Short-term inpatient care
• Inpatient respite care 
• Spiritual and/or grief counseling for both the patient and surviving family members

Where Do Patients Receive Hospice Care?

Considering that 71% of Americans would prefer to die in the comfort of their own home, it makes sense that most hospice care services are provided in the patient’s home. For these services, “home” may be interpreted as a private residence, a nursing home or other residential facilities. By establishing care within the home, family members are typically able to serve as the primary caregiver for the patient. The hospice care team makes regular visits to the home to gauge the patient’s health status and provide any additional care needed. In a recent survey of hospice health agencies, 92% noted that they also use telehealth as an additional option for receiving care.

Can I Keep My Doctor Once in Hospice?

A patient’s existing doctor or specialist is strongly encouraged to continue participating in their care. The hospice physician consults with the family physician since they usually know the patient’s medical history best. They may also confer while developing the patient’s care plan to identify any unique medical needs of that patient.

Does Hospice Provide 24/7 Care?

Yes and no. Hospice staff are on-call at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But hospice personnel will not be present at a patient’s bedside around the clock. They are often juggling over 20 cases at a time and cannot dedicate 24 hours to one patient’s care.

Will I Have to Stop Other Medications If I’m in Hospice?

In order to begin hospice, a patient must cease all curative medication and treatments being used to control their illness. But patients are permitted to remain on medications that treat other conditions or symptoms.

Should I Add Hospice Care to my Advanced Care Directive?

Yes, planning ahead for your future health needs is important to ensure that you receive care aligned with your wishes. Incorporate those decisions into an Advanced Care Directive and other end-of-life documentation. Research has shown that patients who have taken the time for advanced care planning are usually more satisfied with the care they receive.

2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Medicare hospice benefit legislation. One Kaiser Family Foundation study tells us that, among Americans who have recently lost a loved one, 53% say that the person received hospice care services prior to their death. As the visibility of hospice care and its benefits increases, the services it encompasses will continue to assist millions of people for years to come.

Find hospice care services near you through the Medicare website.