Hospice Drugs are Covered under Medicare Part A NOT Part D
Hospice programs must provide individuals under
hospice care with drugs and biologicals related to the palliation and
symptom management of the terminal illness as defined in the hospice
plan of care. The only drugs covered by the hospice program are those
used primarily for relief of pain and symptom control related to the
individual‘s terminal illness. However, because hospice care is a
Medicare Part A benefit, the drugs provided by the hospice and covered
under the Medicare per-diem payment to the hospice program are not covered under Part D.
Hospice programs are specified in section 1861(dd) of the Social Security Act and in Federal regulations at Part 418.
