The Truth About Hospice – Myth No. 5:

Myth: Hospice means death is imminent.

Hospice care is a process that can be as unique as the individual.

Hospice care is generally for a person with a prognosis of six months or less to live. With Medicare, hospice care is given in benefit periods. Eligible persons can get hospice care for two 90-day periods, followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods. At the start of each period, the hospice medical doctor or other hospice doctor must certify the person is terminally ill so he or she can continue the hospice care.