---
title: "Hospice vs home health: key differences"
description: "Both come to the home, but they serve different goals. Eligibility, what each covers, and how Medicare pays for hospice and home health compared."
url: https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/hospice-vs-home-health/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: Senior Choice Care
---

Compare

# Hospice vs home health care

Both send nurses and aides to the house. One aims to help your parent recover; the other aims for comfort.

**2 minute read** Updated October 9, 2026Written by the Senior Choice Care team

In short

Home health is part-time skilled nursing and therapy at home for people who are homebound and expected to improve or stay stable, under a doctor's care. Hospice is comfort care for a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Medicare pays for both, under different rules.

**Written by the Senior Choice Care team** Updated October 9, 2026. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end of this page. General information; every family is different.

## Side by side

^ Hospice and home health compared

|  | Home health | Hospice |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Goal | Recovery or stability | Comfort |
| Eligibility | Homebound, needs part-time skilled care | Terminal illness, six-month prognosis, chooses comfort care |
| Includes | Nursing, therapy, aide visits | Nursing, aides, drugs, equipment, counseling, respite |
| Medicare cost | $0 for covered services | Up to $5 per prescription; 5% for inpatient respite |
| After-hours | Varies by agency | Nurse and doctor on call 24/7 |

## Questions families ask

### Can you have hospice and home health at the same time?

Not for the same terminal illness; hospice covers care related to it.

### Which is better at the end of life?

Hospice is designed for it, with on-call support and family services.

### Does home health require being homebound?

Yes, under Medicare.

### Can someone switch from home health to hospice?

Yes, when they qualify and choose hospice.

## Sources

- [Medicare.gov: Home health services coverage](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services)
- [Medicare.gov: Hospice care coverage](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care)
- [Medicare Hospice Benefits (official booklet 02154)](https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02154-medicare-hospice-benefits.pdf)

## Read next

- [Hospice and palliative care](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/)
- [Hospice eligibility](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/hospice-eligibility/)
- [Home health questions](https://seniorchoicecare.com/questions-to-ask/home-health-agency/)
- [Hospice at home](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/hospice-at-home/)
- [Comfort care](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/comfort-care/)
- [End-of-life care](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/end-of-life-care/)
- [Hospice in a nursing home](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/hospice-in-a-nursing-home/)
- [Hospice respite care](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/hospice-respite-care/)

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