Most families choose a hospice in the middle of a hard week. A doctor mentions hospice, a hospital discharge planner hands over a list, and suddenly you are making a decision that will shape the last months of someone you love. It helps to know that you have a choice, and that a few good questions can tell you a lot about a provider.

You do not have to accept the first hospice you are referred to. If your loved one has Medicare, they can choose any Medicare-certified hospice that serves their area, and they can change hospice providers if the first one is not a good fit.

Start with the basics

• Is the hospice Medicare-certified? Medicare certification is required for the Medicare hospice benefit to pay for care. Most hospices are certified, but it is worth confirming.
• Is it accredited? Many hospices are also accredited by an independent organization such as The Joint Commission, CHAP, or ACHC. Accreditation is not required, but it shows the hospice has gone through an outside review.
• Does it serve where your loved one lives? Hospice care comes to the patient, so the provider must cover their home address, nursing home, or assisted living community.

Ask how they handle nights, weekends, and emergencies

Hard moments do not keep business hours. Ask:

• Who answers the phone at 2 a.m., and is it a nurse?
• If we need someone to come to the house at night or on a weekend, how quickly can a nurse arrive?
• What should we do in a crisis, and when should we call you instead of 911?

A good hospice will give clear, specific answers. Vague answers to these questions are worth noticing.

Ask how often the team will visit

Every hospice patient has a care team that usually includes a doctor, a nurse, a hospice aide, a social worker, a chaplain or spiritual counselor, and trained volunteers. Ask how often each person typically visits, how visits change as needs increase, and whether you will have one main nurse you get to know.

Ask about the levels of care they provide

Medicare hospice includes four levels of care: routine care at home, continuous home care during a crisis, short inpatient respite care to give family caregivers a break, and general inpatient care when symptoms cannot be managed at home. Ask which of these the hospice actually provides, and where inpatient care would take place.

Ask what is and is not covered

Hospice covers care related to the terminal illness, including the medicines, medical equipment, and supplies needed for comfort. Some items may be considered unrelated to the illness. Starting October 1, 2026, Medicare requires every hospice to give each patient a written list, called the election statement addendum, of the items, services, and drugs it has decided are not covered. Ask to go over that list with the admissions nurse so there are no surprises.

It is also worth asking how medications and equipment such as a hospital bed or oxygen are delivered, and how fast.

Ask about support for the family

• Is there help for family caregivers, such as volunteer visits or respite care?
• What bereavement support do you offer after a death, and for how long? Medicare requires hospices to offer bereavement services to families for up to a year.
• Can the chaplain or social worker help with practical matters, such as advance directives or funeral planning?

Look up their scores

Medicare’s Care Compare website lets you look up any certified hospice and see how families rated their experience, along with other quality measures. We explain how to use it in our guide to Hospice Compare.

Trust what you notice

Pay attention to how the hospice treats you on the first call. Did they listen? Did they explain things clearly and without pressure? Did they answer your questions or rush you? The way a hospice handles a first phone call is often a good preview of how it will handle the months ahead.

We can help you get started

If you are not sure where to begin, call 1-800-HOSPICE (1-800-467-7423). We will connect you with a hospice provider that serves your loved one’s area, and you can ask them every question on this list. You can also find a provider near you online.