Who Pays for Palliative Care?

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or parts of palliative care, if received while in the hospital, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility.  It's covered just like other medical or hospital services.  You may have a copay for palliative care, as you do for other covered services.  

In California, MediCal covers palliative care if certain criteria are met for people living with advanced: cancer, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and/or liver disease.

Tips:

• Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage and potential costs.

• The palliative care team can help you understand your options.

• Some services may also be covered outside the hospital (e.g., in the community).

Stanford is committed to helping all patients access palliative care.

You can read more about health insurance coverage of palliative care services at Get Palliative Care.