5,163
Hospice & Palliative Medicine Specialists
100%
Accepting patients
73%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 5,163 hospice & palliative medicine specialists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (73%). 67% accept Medicare.
Hospice and palliative medicine physicians specialize in relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients with serious, complex, or terminal illnesses. Palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness alongside curative treatment. Hospice care is specifically for patients with a terminal prognosis (typically six months or less) who choose comfort-focused care over aggressive treatment.
After medical school and a residency in any primary specialty (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, anesthesiology, etc.), hospice and palliative medicine physicians complete a one-year fellowship. Their training covers advanced pain and symptom management, communication skills for difficult conversations, psychosocial support, and end-of-life care coordination.
Palliative care is one of the most misunderstood specialties. Many patients and families associate it only with dying. In reality, palliative care teams step in whenever a serious illness causes pain, nausea, fatigue, breathing difficulty, anxiety, or other symptoms that reduce quality of life. Studies show that early palliative care involvement actually extends survival for some cancer patients while improving comfort.
Consider palliative care if you or a family member has a serious illness (cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney failure, dementia, ALS) and is experiencing symptoms that reduce quality of life, needs help making treatment decisions, wants to clarify goals of care, or is struggling with the emotional burden of illness. Hospice is appropriate when curative treatment is no longer the goal and comfort becomes the priority.
A palliative care consultation involves a detailed conversation about your symptoms, concerns, goals, and what matters most to you. The physician will assess and treat symptoms (pain, nausea, shortness of breath, anxiety, insomnia) using medications and non-drug approaches. They help facilitate conversations about advance directives, code status, and treatment preferences. Hospice care includes regular home visits from nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, and physicians, with medications and equipment provided.
Palliative care consultation copay: $30-75 · Hospice (Medicare): $0 copay · Hospice daily rate: $150-200 (covered by Medicare) · Respite care: 5 days covered per benefit period
No. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of a serious illness. It focuses on improving comfort and quality of life while you continue pursuing treatment. You do not have to choose between palliative care and active treatment. Many patients receive both simultaneously. Only hospice care involves shifting the focus entirely to comfort.
Hospice provides a comprehensive support team: nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and a physician, all focused on comfort care at home or in a hospice facility. Hospice covers medications related to the terminal diagnosis, medical equipment (hospital bed, oxygen), and supplies. Bereavement support for family members continues for a year after death. There are no copays for hospice under Medicare.
Hospice is appropriate when the focus shifts from curing disease to maximizing comfort and quality of remaining time. Many families wait too long; the median hospice stay is only about three weeks, though the benefit covers six months. Starting earlier allows more time for symptom management, emotional preparation, and meaningful time with family. Your doctor can help determine the right timing.
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Palliative care consultations are covered as specialist visits under medical insurance. Hospice is a Medicare benefit (Part A) with no copays for eligible patients. Medicaid and most private insurance plans also cover hospice. Hospice covers medications, equipment, nursing visits, aide services, counseling, and respite care. Patients can revoke hospice and return to curative treatment at any time.