One question that often comes up when someone enters hospice care is whether they can still see their primary care physician (PCP), especially for routine check-ups like wellness visits. It’s understandable to want the familiarity of your own doctor, even while receiving specialized hospice care. Here, we’ll clarify what Medicare covers for PCP visits during hospice and how you can best navigate your care options.
Hospice and Primary Care Visits: What Medicare Covers
When a patient chooses Medicare hospice, they’re focusing on comfort care—alleviating symptoms, managing pain, and providing quality of life rather than curative treatments. With this shift, Medicare typically covers visits and services directly related to the terminal diagnosis through the hospice team. This includes visits from the hospice medical director, nurses, aides, and other specialized staff who work together to ensure compassionate end-of-life care.
However, Medicare does still allow for PCP visits if they’re unrelated to the terminal condition. For example, if a hospice patient has a separate health issue unrelated to their primary diagnosis, Medicare Part B may cover those specific visits.
Wellness Visits and Routine Check-Ups
Routine wellness visits, however, are usually not covered under hospice care. Medicare considers preventive visits to be outside the scope of hospice since the emphasis shifts from ongoing health maintenance to comfort and symptom management. If you’re considering a wellness visit, it’s a good idea to talk with your hospice team, who can guide you on any care that may be beneficial outside the hospice benefit.
Coordinating Care with Your PCP and Hospice Team
While hospice primarily manages your end-of-life care, your PCP can still play a supportive role. The hospice team often works with a patient’s PCP to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding care goals. It can be helpful to have open communication between your PCP and hospice team, especially if you have specific concerns about unrelated health issues.
Ensuring the Best Care for You
At Sonder Hospice, we believe in creating a supportive and coordinated approach to end-of-life care. Our team is here to answer questions, provide resources, and work with your existing care providers to ensure that you receive the most compassionate and individualized care possible. If you have questions about your options under Medicare hospice or how your PCP can remain involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Every moment matters. Let’s make the most of it together.