Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: Key Differences & Common Ground

On This Page:

• Hospice vs. Palliative Care Definitions
• Eligibility for Hospice & Palliative Care
• Care Teams
• Paying for Care
• Where Care is Provided
• Who Benefits from Palliative Care?
• FAQs

What Is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?

Both hospice and palliative care are designed to bring relief from pain and symptoms, but they serve patients in different stages of their health journey.

Hospice care is comfort-focused care provided when a patient is no longer seeking curative treatments or has a life expectancy of six months or less. Palliative care, on the other hand, can be offered at any stage of a serious illness — alongside treatments meant to cure or slow the illness — with the goal of improving quality of life.

Hospice vs. Palliative Care Definitions

Definition of Hospice

Hospice care is compassionate support for people facing a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by physicians. The focus is on comfort, dignity, and emotional support for both the patient and their loved ones.

Definition of Palliative Care

Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. It can begin at diagnosis and continue alongside curative treatments, during follow-ups, and through end-of-life care if needed.

Eligibility for Hospice & Palliative Care

Hospice care eligibility requires two physicians to certify that a patient’s life expectancy is six months or less if the illness follows its normal course.

Palliative care eligibility is broader: it may be started at any stage of a serious illness, based on a patient’s needs and goals, regardless of prognosis.

Hospice and Palliative Care Teams

At Affinity Hospice LLC, both hospice and palliative care are provided by interdisciplinary care teams. These include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers who work together to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs — not only for the patient but for their family as well.

Paying for Hospice vs. Palliative Care

Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. The hospice benefit includes medications, medical equipment, nursing care, social services, chaplain visits, and grief support for families.

Palliative care coverage varies. It is often billed like other medical services, meaning costs may depend on insurance, office visits, and prescriptions. Learn more about palliative care here.

Where Care is Provided

Both hospice and palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including the comfort of home, hospitals, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes — depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.

Who Benefits from Palliative Care?

Palliative care is appropriate for patients of any age or stage of illness who are experiencing distressing symptoms. It is especially recommended when:

• The patient has limited ability to care for themselves.
• The patient is no longer benefiting from curative treatments.
• No effective treatment options are available or appropriate.
• The illness is causing significant physical or emotional distress.

Hospice vs. Palliative Care FAQ

Is palliative care the last step before hospice?

No. Palliative care is available at any stage of illness, while hospice care begins when curative treatments are no longer an option. All hospice care includes palliative care, but not all palliative care is hospice.

Is palliative care the same as end-of-life care?

No. While palliative care becomes increasingly important near the end of life, it is also appropriate much earlier. Patients undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy may receive palliative care to manage side effects and improve quality of life.

How Affinity Hospice LLC Can Help

With a dedicated team and years of experience, Affinity Hospice LLC provides:

• Personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s diagnosis
• Interdisciplinary care teams for holistic support
• Therapy, emotional, and spiritual care
• Grief and bereavement support for families

Call us today to learn more about how we can help.