Glossary
Hospice Care
End-of-life comfort care covered 100% by Medicare Part A when a doctor certifies a terminal prognosis of 6 months or less.
Also known as: Medicare hospice benefit
Quick answer
The Medicare hospice benefit covers palliative care, medications, equipment, and counseling for terminally ill beneficiaries with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Care can be in the home, a hospice facility, or a nursing facility.
Why it matters
Hospice is one of Medicare's most generous benefits — there is almost no cost-sharing, and TFL further covers anything not on the hospice plan of care.
When you'll encounter it
Terminal diagnosis with prognosis of 6 months or less, when the goal of care shifts from cure to comfort.
Impact on Medicare
Part A covers the hospice benefit fully (small $5 copays for prescriptions and 5% for respite care).
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TFL coordinates with Medicare hospice and may cover non-hospice services unrelated to the terminal condition.
Impact on Medicare Advantage
Even in an MA plan, the hospice benefit reverts to Original Medicare for the terminal condition.
VA Healthcare considerations
VA also offers hospice and can coordinate with Medicare for veterans enrolled in VA care.
Common misconceptions
- "Going on hospice means giving up all medical care." — You stop curative treatment for the terminal illness only; other unrelated conditions continue to be covered.
What should I do?
- 1Choose a Medicare-certified hospice provider.
- 2Discuss the plan of care with family and your hospice team.
- 3Confirm coordination between Medicare, TFL, and VA if multiple coverages apply.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Frequently asked questions about Medicare and TRICARE For LifeA quick-reference summary of the questions retired service members and spouses ask most often — with citations to the official source.
- Common mistakes retired military make at 65 — and how to avoid themThe most expensive errors retired service members and spouses make during the Medicare and TFL transition, and the simple fixes for each.
- What is Medicare? A complete overview for retired militaryA plain-English, handbook-grounded overview of the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, written specifically for retired service members and their families.
- Understanding Original Medicare (Parts A & B) for veteransExactly what Part A and Part B cover, what they cost in 2026, and why both are required to keep TRICARE For Life.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Medically necessary, reusable equipment for home use — covered by Part B at 80% after the deductible.
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)A condition (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) that grants Medicare eligibility at any age.
- Home Health CarePart-time skilled nursing or therapy delivered at home for homebound beneficiaries — covered by Medicare with no cost-sharing.
- Appointment of RepresentativeA signed form (CMS-1696) that authorizes another person — family member, attorney, or advocate — to file or pursue a Medicare appeal on your behalf.
- Benefit Period (Part A)The Part A timeframe used to measure hospital deductibles and coinsurance — it resets after 60 days out of the hospital.
- COBRA After 65COBRA is not creditable coverage for Part B — using it past 65 instead of enrolling in Medicare causes lifetime late penalties.
- Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)A 18- to 36-month temporary TRICARE-like coverage option for those who lose TRICARE eligibility — functionally the military version of COBRA.
- Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?Yes. Overseas, TFL acts as your primary payer because Medicare generally doesn't pay outside the U.S. You'll usually pay the provider up front and file a paper claim with TFL overseas.
- What are the biggest mistakes retired military make at 65?Declining Part B, missing the IEP, ignoring DEERS, enrolling in Part D unnecessarily, and assuming MTF access continues. Each can cost thousands or end TFL.
- I'm turning 65. What should I do first?About 3 months before your 65th birthday, sign up for Medicare Parts A and B at SSA.gov. TRICARE For Life activates automatically once both are effective and DEERS is current.
- If I move overseas, can I drop Part B since Medicare doesn't pay there?Don't. Dropping Part B ends TFL the same day. Re-enrolling later triggers a permanent late penalty plus a coverage gap.
- I accidentally enrolled in a Part D plan. What now?Disenroll during AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7) for the next year, or use an SEP if you qualify. TRICARE Pharmacy still works — but stop paying the duplicate Part D premium.
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.