A Focus on Patients, Not Profits
As a nonprofit organization, our decisions are guided by what matters most: patients and families.
Care at The Connecticut Hospice is guided by need, not by financial circumstances. We understand that questions about coverage and cost can add stress at an already difficult time, and we work with patients and families to explore available options.
Financial assistance may be available in certain situations, including when:
- You do not have medical insurance
- Your insurance does not cover hospice or palliative care
- Your medical coverage is limited
- You are awaiting a Medicaid decision, or you do not qualify
A social worker is available to talk through your situation, conduct a financial assessment, and help answer questions about next steps. To schedule a conversation, please call 203-315-7500 ext. 692. You or a family member may be asked to provide documentation related to financial need.
Looking to pay an existing bill or set up a payment plan?
Click on the button below to use our convenient and secure online portal (through SecureBillPay.)
Medicare & Medicaid Coverage for Hospice Care
Hospice care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid Parts A, B, and C.
The Connecticut Hospice is a Medicare- and Medicaid-certified hospice provider, and most of our patients are eligible for coverage through one of these programs. Medical eligibility is based on income and need, not age, so you do not have to be over 62 to qualify.
The Medicare hospice benefit is an inclusive benefit. Once a patient is determined eligible and elects hospice care, Medicare Part A covers all services related to the terminal illness. Patients continue to pay their regular Medicare premiums, and care unrelated to the hospice diagnosis remains covered under existing benefits.
What Medicare/ Medicaid Covers
- Physician services
- Durable medical equipment (beds, walkers, etc.)
- Medical supplies
- Medications for symptom control or pain relief
- Nutritional/dietary counseling
- Extended or continuous care
- Hospice aide
- Social worker services
- Short-term inpatient care for pain and symptom management
- Short term respite care (may require a small copayment)
- Grief and loss counseling for loved ones
In most cases, supplies, equipment and even medications can be delivered to the patient’s residence. Medicare supplements may help pay for particular aspects of care not fully covered by Medicare.
The Connecticut Hospice covers all costs of our Arts Program services, which are not reimbursed to us by Medicare or Medicaid.
What You Are Responsible For
Patients and/or patient families may be responsible for some costs associated with hospice care, as well as:
- Your Medicare copay
- Commercial insurance copays and deductibles
- Nursing home room and board (if applicable)
- Respite care room and board (if not on Medicare)
- 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for respite care (for example, if Medicare pays $100/day for inpatient respite care, your loved one will pay $5/day)
- Costs for transportation between facilities
- Prescription copays (if on Medicare/Medicaid, your loved one will pay no more than $5 for each prescription drug and other similar products for pain relief and symptom control)
- Treatments or medical supplies unrelated to the hospice plan of care
Refund payments are recorded when there is an unexpected change in the determination of the hospice level of care provided to the patient. These payments are immediately refunded to either the patient or the family member guarantor.
Medicare & Medicaid Reimbursement Rates & Regulations
Unlike many medical treatments, which vary in cost according to location or hospital system, the Medicare reimbursement for hospice care is fixed at a daily rate, regardless of the complexity of the care involved in assuring the patient’s comfort.
There are four hospice reimbursement rates, and they are linked to what are called the “four levels of care”: routine home care, general inpatient care, respite care, and continuous care. For additional information about Medicare and Medicaid and the hospice benefit, please visit Medicare/Medicaid.
For further assistance in understanding your payment responsibilities, please call us at (203) 315-7500, ext. 540.
Private Insurance Coverage for Hospice Coverage
Most commercial insurers, such as those offered through an employer, also offer a hospice benefit. Because insurance plans vary, it is important to speak with your insurance provider (and supplemental insurance provider) as well as The Connecticut Hospice to fully understand your financial obligations.
Private-Pay Hospice Care
In some cases, patients and families may choose to pay privately for hospice services. While this is unusual, it may happen that private insurance coverage is inadequate, and they do not qualify for federal insurance programs. Rather than wait, the patient or family may choose to pay for some or all services directly.
There are set fees for all services. Interest-free payment plans can be arranged.
The Medicare Hospice Benefit
At this time, patients must meet two important conditions to be deemed eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit:
- A Hospice doctor and the patient’s attending physician (if any) must certify that the patient is terminally ill with an expected prognosis of less than 6 months.
- The patient has elected to cease curative treatment and chosen to focus only on comfort and quality of life.
As a Medicare-certified hospice, Connecticut Hospice and its programs qualify for the Medicare hospice benefit.
Medicare & Medicaid Coverage for Respite Care
Respite care is available to hospice patients as a short-term inpatient stay of up to five days. This level of care is covered under the Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefit. Coverage through private insurance varies, and patients or families are encouraged to check directly with their insurer to confirm whether respite care is included.
Medicare & Medicaid Coverage for Palliative Care
Patients enrolled in Stand By Me may be eligible for palliative care services at home, including visits from a physician or nurse practitioner to help manage symptoms and support decision-making during serious illness.
Medicare may cover palliative care in the home when a patient is homebound and requires skilled care, as certified by their physician. In addition, Medicare covers inpatient palliative care for symptom management for patients in Stand By Me.
At this time, patients with Managed Medicare plans are not eligible for admission to palliative care in our Branford inpatient facility.
Hospice Eligibility
At this time, patients must meet two important conditions to be deemed eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit:
1.
A Hospice doctor and the patient’s attending physician (if any) must certify that the patient is terminally ill with an expected prognosis of less than 6 months.
2.
The patient has elected to cease curative treatment and chosen to focus only on comfort and quality of life.
As a Medicare-certified hospice, Connecticut Hospice and its programs qualify for Medicare Hospice Benefit.
Resources for Patients & Caregivers
Different Locations.
One Approach to Care.
Whether at home, in skilled care or assisted living facilities, or at The Connecticut Hospice’s Branford hospital, we care for patients and families together—because serious illness affects everyone involved.
Our interdisciplinary team collaborates across care settings to support physical comfort and well-being while addressing emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Care plans are tailored to each individual and adjusted as circumstances change, helping families feel supported, informed, and never alone throughout their journey.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Hospital
Our 52-bed waterfront hospital is available to all our home care patients, as well as new patients referred by families or our community partners.
This facility provides 24/7 expert-level symptom management, including infused pain medications and rapid dose adjustments for patients whose symptoms cannot be managed at home.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Home Care
Our home care services support patients in private homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities across all levels of palliative and hospice care.
Care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams focused on comfort, caregiver support, and continuity, allowing patients to remain at home whenever clinically appropriate.
Admissions
Admission to The Connecticut Hospice is a collaborative process guided by each patient’s needs and goals of care.
Our team works closely with patients, families, and referring providers to ensure the right level of support, in the right setting, at the right time.
A Comprehensive Approach
At The Connecticut Hospice, families and caregivers are an essential part of the care experience. That’s why we support patients and the people who love them together.
Care plans are shaped around shared goals, personal needs, and what matters most in daily life. Our interdisciplinary team works across settings and services to ensure care is coordinated, responsive, and attentive to the emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of everyone involved.
We help bring clarity and compassion to serious illness, so patients and loved ones can focus on the moments that matter most.
How Can We Help?
Make a Donation
As a local not-for-profit, The Connecticut Hospice relies on donor support to provide individualized services and therapies not fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
Your generosity helps ensure that every patient and family receives the care, comfort, and support they need, regardless of circumstances.