Clear answers to common questions.
Hospice care can feel like a maze of acronyms and rules. This page covers Medicare hospice eligibility, how coverage works, and frequently asked questions about the developing Vetted Care × Lily Hospice partnership.
Medicare hospice eligibility, in plain language.
Hospice is for people facing a serious illness who would benefit from comfort-focused care rather than curative treatment. The Medicare definition is specific, but the spirit is simple: hospice supports living well during whatever time remains.
The Medicare standard
A patient qualifies for the Medicare hospice benefit when two physicians (the hospice medical director and the patient’s primary physician) certify that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its expected course.
If the patient lives longer than six months, hospice continues — the certification is recertified at defined intervals.
What it does not require
- You do not need to give up your primary doctor
- You do not need to be bedridden or in a hospital
- You do not need a specific diagnosis — many conditions qualify
- You can change your mind at any time and leave hospice
How hospice gets paid for.
For most veterans, hospice care comes at no out-of-pocket cost when delivered by a Medicare-certified provider such as Lily Hospice. Here is how that works.
Medicare Part A
Covers 100% of hospice services related to the terminal illness — including nursing, aides, social work, chaplaincy, medications, equipment, and supplies. No copay, no deductible.
VA Health Care
Veterans enrolled in VA health care receive hospice as part of the standard benefits package. There is no copay for hospice services through the VA, and care can be provided in the home.
Medicaid & Private Insurance
Michigan Medicaid covers hospice care under a benefit modeled on Medicare’s. Most commercial insurance plans also include a hospice benefit.
Questions about hospice and about the partnership.
How do I know if it is time for hospice?
If you find yourself asking this question, it may be time to at least have a conversation with a Medicare-certified hospice. Common signals include increasing hospitalizations, declining ability to manage daily activities, weight loss, and decisions to step back from aggressive treatment. There is no penalty for calling early — and many families wish they had.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up?
No. Hospice is a shift in the goal of care, not a surrender. The focus moves from curing the illness to making the most of the time available — managing symptoms, preserving dignity, and supporting the family. Many patients live longer and better in hospice than they did pursuing curative treatment that was no longer working.
Can I keep my own doctor?
Yes. Your personal physician can remain involved in your care throughout your time in hospice. Hospices coordinate closely with primary physicians as part of every care plan.
Where does hospice care happen?
Hospice happens wherever the patient calls home — a private residence, an assisted living community, a nursing facility, or a hospital. The hospice care team comes to you.
What if my loved one improves?
Patients sometimes stabilize or improve after entering hospice. If that happens and the patient no longer meets the clinical criteria, they can be discharged from hospice and can return later if needed.
Is Vetted Care a Medicare-certified hospice?
No. Vetted Care is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. It is not itself a hospice and does not hold a Medicare hospice certification or a Michigan hospice license. The Vetted Care partnership’s clinical work will be delivered by Lily Hospice, which is Medicare-certified, Michigan-licensed under Public Health Code Part 214, and ACHC-accredited. Lily Hospice will retain administrative and financial management of clinical services as required by 42 CFR 418.100(e).
Is the Vetted Care partnership operational today?
No. The partnership is in development. We are not yet accepting patients. The partnership is the SDVOSB-prime structure being built between Vetted Care and Lily Hospice. When operational, participating veterans will receive Medicare hospice care delivered by Lily Hospice, layered with the partnership’s veteran-focused program elements (program design, VA navigation, pinning ceremonies, etc.).
How fast can hospice care start for my loved one today?
If you contact Lily Hospice directly at (248) 955-5100, most patients can begin Medicare hospice care within 24 to 48 hours of the initial referral. For urgent situations, Lily and most other Medicare-certified hospices work to begin care the same day. This timeline is independent of the developing Vetted Care partnership.
What is special about veteran-focused hospice?
Veterans often carry physical and emotional experiences that civilian hospice teams are not always equipped to recognize. Veteran-focused hospice adapts the care plan for service-connected conditions, supports the spiritual weight of military memory, coordinates with the VA, and honors the rituals — including pinning ceremonies and military funerals — that recognize a life of service. These are the program elements the Vetted Care × Lily Hospice partnership is being built to deliver.
What if the family lives out of state?
Hospices coordinate with out-of-state family members through phone, video, and written updates. Social workers help navigate logistics like travel timing, advance directives, and family meetings across distance.
What does it cost?
For patients covered by Medicare, VA health care, Medicaid, or most commercial insurance plans, hospice services come at no out-of-pocket cost for care related to the terminal illness. The hospice (Lily, in the case of this partnership) walks every family through the specifics of their coverage during intake.
How do I make a referral?
For immediate hospice care, anyone can refer a patient directly to Lily Hospice at (248) 955-5100 — or to any Medicare-certified hospice. For inquiries about the developing Vetted Care veteran-focused partnership (referring professionals, community organizations, contracting officers), you can reach Vetted Care at 248-794-9292 or via the contact form.
Still have questions?
For immediate hospice care, call Lily Hospice directly. For questions about the developing Vetted Care partnership, call or message Vetted.
☎ Lily Hospice: (248) 955-5100Vetted Care partnership inquiries: 248-794-9292 · Send a message