Does Medicare pay for hospice?

That is what we were told when we inquired about Hospice for my mom; she was briefly eligible, but is not any longer, so we didn't go through applying for it. But my understanding is that Hospice services are covered by Medicare.

It is important to understand that Hospice is NOT 24/7 care. If Hospice is done in a facility, there is "rent" to pay for the room; the same is true if it happens in a NH setting. We would have still been paying for mom's room at the nursing home and her care there. Hospice would have provided "extras"-some additional nursing and aide services, plus chaplain and SW support.

Yes and NO. Hospice will provide medication and visiting nurses to your home, fully covered by Medicare. BUT they will not pay for the nursing home rent, that continues to come out of pocket unless Medicaid is covering it.