What Is a Hospice Extension and How Does Someone Qualify?
In this article:
How A Hospice Extension Can Continue Care Beyond 6 Months?
Hospice care is a vital support system for individuals facing serious illness, offering comfort, dignity, compassionate and personalized care during life’s final chapter.
For those receiving hospice through Medicare, this care is structured into benefit periods—a system designed to adapt to the patient’s evolving needs while ensuring continued eligibility and quality care.
We know this can be confusing and often overwhelming, especially when you or your loved one is facing a serious illness. Often, we are asked, what is a hospice extension and how does someone qualify?
We’ll answer this question in this article and provide a wealth of information explaining the requirements and whether or not hospice care can continue beyond six months.
At Tillery Compassionate Care, we have a team of dedicated, experienced professionals whose sole focus is to bring compassionate care to those facing serious, life-limiting illnesses. Our medical team is available 24/7, and we want you to know that you’re never alone. We will honor your requests as much as possible. Reach out to one of our team members today.
What Is a Hospice Extension and How Does Someone Qualify?
During the first 90-day period, the hospice team focuses on assessing the patient’s needs and developing a personalized care plan. If the patient’s condition warrants continued hospice services after the initial period, a second 90-day period begins with a recertification by the attending physician and hospice medical director.
This process ensures that the patient continues to meet Medicare’s criteria for hospice care, which typically includes having a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its natural course.
Once the two 90-day periods are completed, the patient can continue receiving care in 60-day benefit periods for as long as they remain eligible.
At the start of each new period, the hospice team reassesses the patient’s condition and coordinates with physicians to renew the certification. These recurring approvals ensure that patients receive ongoing support while maintaining accountability for care quality.
This system offers flexibility for those whose conditions change over time, ensuring they receive the necessary comfort and care throughout their hospice journey.
According to www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
If you qualify, you can get hospice care for two 90-day benefit periods, followed by an unlimited number of 60-day benefit periods.
Hospice Care Doesn’t Automatically End After Six Months
Patients are re-evaluated to see if they continue to qualify
Only a hospice doctor and the patient’s regular physician (if they have one) can certify that the patient is terminally ill. After six months, hospice care doesn’t automatically end. As long as the hospice medical director or hospice doctor—following a face-to-face visit with the patient by a hospice physician or nurse practitioner—confirms that the patient remains eligible, care can continue.
This system offers flexibility and reassurance for families. It ensures that patients receive the comfort and support they need without interruption, even if their condition changes over time.
A Patient-Focused Process
The hospice recertification process is designed to be straightforward and compassionate. It balances medical oversight with a deep commitment to the patient’s quality of life. Families can rest assured that hospice care will continue as long as it’s needed—and that every step is taken with the patient’s well-being at heart.
Tillery Compassionate Care: Your Trusted Source for Care
Tillery Compassionate Care is the preferred partner and respected resource for serious illness care. We live our mission and set the standard for optimal patient and family experience.
Our mission: At Tillery Compassionate Care, we spark inspiration, hope, and peace enabling individuals with serious illness embrace their spirit of life. Contact us to see how we can help you or your loved one, because we want to help you make every moment count.
For more details on Medicare hospice benefit periods, visit Medicare’s official site.
Key Takeaways:
- Hospice care provides comfort, dignity, and compassion for individuals with serious, life-limiting illnesses.
- Medicare structures hospice care into benefit periods to ensure ongoing support and adaptability as patients’ needs change.
- The first two benefit periods last 90 days each, followed by unlimited 60-day extensions as long as the patient remains eligible.
- Hospice care does not automatically end after six months—continued care depends on medical recertification by hospice professionals.
- The recertification process includes physician review and, when required, a face-to-face visit to confirm eligibility.
- This system gives families peace of mind by ensuring uninterrupted care and maintaining high standards of compassion and quality.
- Tillery Compassionate Care provides 24/7 support and focuses on honoring patient wishes while guiding families through every stage of hospice care.
