To qualify for payment by Medicare, the terminal nature of the patient's illness must be certified by a physician and the hospice Medical Director; the anticipated life expectancy must be six months or less; the patient must choose to use hospice care benefits rather than regular Medicare coverage for the treatment of the terminal illness (the usual Medicare coverage is still available for medical expenses not related to the terminal illness); and the care must be provided by a hospice care agency that is approved by Medicare.
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