What Medications and Equipment Are Typically Covered in Hospice?

Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, medications and medical equipment related to the terminal diagnosis are fully covered at no additional cost to the patient or family. This includes comfort-focused medications for pain, anxiety, breathlessness, and nausea, as well as durable medical equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and oxygen. 

Coverage applies as long as the patient remains enrolled in hospice care and the items are related to the terminal illness. Families do not need to purchase or arrange these supplies on their own – the hospice team coordinates everything directly.

Medications Covered Under Hospice

• Pain Management
  • Pain is one of the most common and most feared symptoms at the end of life. Hospice is specifically structured to address it. The medical director and registered nurses on the hospice team work together to assess each patient’s pain level and create a personalized medication plan. These are not just prescribed;  they are delivered to the home. The hospice team arranges pharmacy coordination so the right medications are available before a patient needs them, not after a crisis.
• Breathlessness and Respiratory Symptoms
  • Difficulty breathing, also called dyspnea, is one of the most distressing symptoms for both patients and families to witness. Hospice covers medications used to relieve this sensation, including low-dose opioids that are proven to reduce the feeling of air hunger without significantly hastening death. Nebulizer treatments, bronchodilators, and other respiratory medications related to the terminal diagnosis are also typically included.
• Anxiety, Agitation, and Restlessness
  • As illness progresses, patients may experience episodes of anxiety, confusion, or agitation – sometimes called terminal restlessness. Hospice covers anxiolytic and sedative medications, such as lorazepam or haloperidol, to provide relief. These medications are kept on hand in what many hospice teams call a comfort kit or emergency medication kit, so caregivers are not scrambling during a difficult moment.
• Nausea and Appetite-Related Symptoms
  • Nausea is a common side effect of advanced illness and certain medications. Antiemetics such as ondansetron or prochlorperazine are typically covered. Medications to stimulate appetite or manage bowel-related symptoms – such as constipation caused by opioid use – are also included.
• Wound and Skin-Related Medications
  • For patients with pressure injuries or skin breakdown, topical treatments, antimicrobial dressings, and related medications are covered under hospice. The wound care services provided by the hospice team include both the clinical visits and the supplies needed to manage wounds in a comfort-focused way.

What Is Not Covered

It is important to understand the distinction hospice makes between comfort-focused and curative treatment. Hospice covers medications that are related to the terminal diagnosis and intended to improve comfort. Medications aimed at curing the underlying illness – chemotherapy for cancer, for example, or dialysis for kidney disease – are generally not covered under the hospice benefit unless a separate arrangement is made.

If a patient has an unrelated medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, those medications may or may not be covered depending on whether they contribute to comfort. The hospice team reviews each medication at admission and works with the family to clarify what will be provided.

Medical Equipment Covered Under Hospice

The hospice benefit also covers durable medical equipment (DME) – the physical items that make it possible to safely care for a patient at home. This equipment is ordered, delivered, and often set up by the hospice provider, removing a significant logistical burden from the family.

• Hospital Beds and Bedding Supplies
• A hospital-grade adjustable bed is one of the most commonly provided items in hospice. Pressure-reducing mattresses and overlays are also typically included.
• Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids
• Depending on the patient’s level of mobility, a manual or transport wheelchair may be provided. Walkers, bedside commodes, and transfer boards are also common pieces of equipment that help patients maintain dignity and some level of independence for as long as possible.
• Oxygen Equipment
• For patients with respiratory conditions or whose comfort requires supplemental oxygen, hospice covers the oxygen concentrator or tanks, tubing, masks, and related supplies. This is coordinated directly with a durable medical equipment supplier, with no out-of-pocket cost to the family.
• Incontinence Supplies
• Adult briefs, underpads, and related incontinence supplies are typically provided. This is one area families are often surprised to learn is covered, and it makes a meaningful practical difference in day-to-day caregiving.
• Wound Care Supplies
• Gauze, dressings, bandages, and topical agents used in wound care are included as part of the wound care services delivered by the clinical team.

Other Supplies Based on Clinical Need

The hospice team assesses each patient individually. Depending on diagnosis and care needs, additional supplies may be provided, including:

• Suction machines for patients who have difficulty managing secretions
• Urinary catheters and related supplies
• Feeding supplies are appropriate for the plan of care
• Nebulizers and inhalers for respiratory management

Who Coordinates Medications and Equipment?

Families do not have to call pharmacies, negotiate with suppliers, or figure out what equipment to rent. That coordination is the hospice team’s responsibility.

At Grace and Glory Hospice, registered nurses assess the patient’s needs at admission and as the plan of care evolves. The medical director oversees prescribing decisions. Our CNAs and home health aides help with daily physical care and can monitor for changes in comfort. If a new symptom develops or a medication needs adjustment, the team responds – not just during business hours, but around the clock.

This is what a family-owned, nurse-led hospice does differently. When you call, you reach someone who knows your loved one’s case. You are not navigating a call center or waiting for a callback that may come too late.

What Happens if a Medication Is Not Covered?

In rare cases, a specific medication may fall outside what the hospice benefit covers – typically because it is not related to the terminal diagnosis. When that happens, the hospice team will explain the situation clearly and help identify alternatives. They may also work with the prescribing physician to find a covered equivalent that achieves the same clinical goal.

Families are never left without options. If you have questions about a specific medication your loved one is taking, the team can review it before or at the time of admission.

Learn more: Medicare hospice coverage explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does hospice cover all of a patient’s medications?
  • Hospice covers medications that are related to the terminal diagnosis and focused on comfort. Medications for unrelated conditions may or may not be included depending on whether they contribute to the patient’s comfort.
• Is medical equipment delivered to the home?
  • Yes. Durable medical equipment is ordered and delivered directly to the patient’s home as part of the hospice benefit.
• What is a comfort kit or emergency medication kit?
  • A comfort kit is a small set of pre-filled medications kept in the patient’s home for use during a symptom crisis – such as sudden pain, agitation, or breathlessness. The kit is prescribed by the hospice physician and placed in the home so that caregivers can provide relief immediately rather than waiting for a nurse to arrive or calling 911.
• Can the hospice team adjust medications over time?
  • Yes. Symptom management is not static. As a patient’s condition changes, the medical director and nursing team regularly reassess the medication plan and make adjustments.
• Does hospice still cover medications if the patient is in a skilled nursing facility?
  • Yes. The Medicare Hospice Benefit applies regardless of where the patient resides. The hospice team coordinates with the facility to provide medications and equipment as needed.
• What if we need more supplies or equipment than initially provided?
  • The hospice team reassesses needs at each visit. If a patient’s condition changes and new equipment or supplies are required, the team can request and coordinate those additions. Families should not hesitate to ask – advocating for the patient’s comfort is always appropriate.

We Handle the Details So You Can Focus on What Matters

Managing a loved one’s illness is already a full-time emotional responsibility. The last thing your family should be worrying about is whether the right medication will arrive in time or whether you have the proper equipment to keep your loved one safe and comfortable at home.

At Grace and Glory Hospice, we handle the coordination – the pharmacy calls, the equipment deliveries, the medication adjustments, and the 24/7 clinical support – so you can focus on being present.

Call us any time at (650) 898-5784, or request a free evaluation, and a member of our team will reach out to you directly.