Hospice and palliative care: how they differ
Both focus on comfort and quality of life. The difference is when they apply, and whether treatment to cure the illness continues.
Checked against Medicare.gov, CMS and the federal rules on October 20, 2026. General information, not medical or legal advice.
What palliative care is
Medicare's hospice rules define palliative care as patient and family-centered care that improves quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering. They describe it as care throughout the course of an illness that addresses physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs, and supports the person's independence, access to information and choice.
Source: [1]
What hospice is
Hospice is a set of services for someone who is terminally ill: in Medicare's terms, a life expectancy of 6 months or less if the illness runs its normal course. A team plans and coordinates care for the person's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, and supports the family.
Under Medicare, choosing hospice means accepting comfort care instead of care to cure the terminal illness. The hospice team includes at least a doctor, a registered nurse, a social worker or counselor, and a pastoral or other counselor.
The main differences
| Palliative care | Hospice care | |
|---|---|---|
| When | At any point in a serious illness | When life expectancy is 6 months or less |
| Treatment to cure | Can continue alongside it | Is set aside for the terminal illness |
Medicare describes palliative care as the part of hospice care that focuses on quality of life. Every hospice gives palliative care, but palliative care does not require hospice.
Moving from one to the other
A person can move to hospice when a doctor certifies a terminal illness and they choose comfort care. They can also leave hospice at any time to go back to treatment, and come back later if they are still eligible. See how to switch or stop hospice.
Common questions
Is palliative care the same as hospice?
No. Palliative care can be given at any stage of a serious illness, alongside treatment. Hospice is for people with a life expectancy of 6 months or less who choose comfort care instead of treatment to cure.
Can someone get palliative care and still get treatment to cure?
Yes. Outside hospice, palliative care can be given together with other treatment.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up all medical care?
No. Hospice covers care for comfort and symptoms, and Medicare still covers care for health problems unrelated to the terminal illness.
Sources
- 42 CFR 418.3: Definitions (eCFR (42 CFR Part 418))
- Medicare Hospice Benefits (publication 02154) (Medicare.gov)
- Hospice care (Medicare.gov)
- 42 CFR 418.56: Interdisciplinary group, care planning, and coordination of services (eCFR (42 CFR Part 418))
Find a hospice near you
See Medicare’s family survey results for hospices near a home address.