Hospice is one of the most important health care decisions a family can make, and it usually has to be made quickly. This guide explains how hospice works in plain language, so you can ask better questions and choose with confidence.
Top Hospice Care is an independent information website. We are not a hospice provider, and we do not take referrals or share your information with hospices.
Start here
- What is hospice? How hospice care works, where it happens and who is on the care team.
- Who qualifies for hospice: the six-month rule and how certification works.
- When is it time for hospice? Signs to watch for, and how to start the conversation.
- How to choose a hospice: questions to ask and red flags to avoid.
Paying for hospice
- The Medicare hospice benefit: what is covered, what is not, and what you may pay.
- The four levels of hospice care: routine home care, continuous care, respite and inpatient care.
Understanding the care
- Hospice vs. palliative care
- What to expect from hospice care at home
- Common hospice medications
- Can you leave hospice? Stopping hospice, improving, and coming back.
Hospice by diagnosis
Find a hospice
When you are ready to compare providers, browse Medicare-certified hospices in California by county. Every listing shows the hospice’s Medicare ID so you can check it against official records.
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk with your doctor about your own situation.