Does TRICARE Cover Hospice? 2026 Costs & Requirements | TRICARE.com

## Quick answer Yes, TRICARE covers hospice care for terminally ill beneficiaries who have a life expectancy of six months or less. This benefit provides end-of-life medical care, pain management, and emotional support, typically shifting the focus from curative treatment to comfort and quality of life.

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Details

The TRICARE hospice benefit is modeled after the Medicare hospice benefit. To qualify, a physician must certify that the patient is terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course.

### What is Covered TRICARE covers a comprehensive suite of services provided by a TRICARE-approved hospice agency, including: * **Physician and Nursing Services:** Regular visits and 24/7 on-call availability. * **Medical Supplies and Equipment:** Hospital beds, oxygen, and bandages related to the terminal illness. * **Medications:** Drugs for pain relief and symptom management. * **Therapies:** Physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology. * **Support Services:** Medical social work, dietary counseling, and grief/bereavement counseling for the family. * **Respite Care:** Short-term inpatient care (up to 5 consecutive days) to provide relief for the primary caregiver.

### Costs and Copays (2026 Rates) Hospice care is generally provided at no cost to most TRICARE beneficiaries when using an authorized provider. * **Active Duty Service Members:** $0 out-of-pocket for all authorized hospice services. * **Retirees and Family Members:** Typically $0 copayment for hospice care. However, if medications are provided that are not part of the hospice's routine care, standard pharmacy copays may apply. * **Room and Board:** TRICARE does not cover room and board if the patient receives hospice care in their home or in a nursing home (unless for short-term inpatient or respite care).

### Choosing Hospice vs. Curative Care By electing the hospice benefit, beneficiaries over age 21 generally waive their rights to TRICARE benefits for curative treatments related to the terminal illness. However, under the Affordable Care Act's "Concurrent Care" provision, TRICARE beneficiaries under age 21 can receive both hospice care and curative treatment simultaneously.

### Regional Management The hospice benefit is managed by the regional contractors. Ensure your hospice provider is TRICARE-authorized through: * **East Region:** Humana Military * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (T-5 Contractor)

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members** and their families. * **Retirees** and their families (including those on TRICARE For Life). * **Guard/Reserve members** on active duty orders or enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select. * **Survivors** of deceased service members.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** Hospice Care Overview (https://www.tricare.mil/hospice) * **Humana Military (East):** Hospice Benefits (https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** Provider and Patient Resources (https://www.triwest.com) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** TRICARE Policy Manual 6010.60-M (https://manuals.health.mil)