When my mother entered hospice, she had a United Health plan Advantage plan with a 0 deductible. She has not used it much, since she is beyond the point with her dementia that she is getting fitted for glasses, or seeing a dentist. However it does help pay for a few things like podiatry services and a discount on her glaucoma eye drops and a few other occasional meds. United Health is discontinuing the plan for 2026. It seems like I should shop for another plan, but I am wondering if her age (98 1/2) and her current hospice status, would she be approved. Does anyone whose loved one is on hospice also has an Advantage plan?
"...hospice is paid by Original Medicare (Part A), not the Advantage plan. Coverage lasts as long as the person continues to qualify: first two 90-day periods, then unlimited 60-day periods with recertification by the hospice clinician.
What you’ll usually pay under Medicare hospice:
- $0 for hospice services from a Medicare-approved hospice
- Up to $5 per outpatient prescription for symptom control/pain relief
- 5% coinsurance for inpatient respite care
- (Your MA plan continues to cover care unrelated to the terminal illness, including Part D drugs not related to hospice.)
UnitedHealthcare plan documents for 2026 typically state: “You pay nothing for hospice… Hospice is covered by Original Medicare, outside of our plan.' "
Summary: your Mom's original Medicare should be enough to cover her hospice and related care as long as she qualifies.
This plan maybe paying for Moms Hospice.
You better make sure that Mom has traditional Medicare before you drop this plan. People usually don't have both traditional Medicare and an Advantage plan. Call Medicare and they can tell you.
The other side of things is that it little matters if there is no coverage, if your loved one's funds can cover these simple meds.
I understand this is an advanced age and there's little change Hospice will not be renewed, but in the case it IS not renewed you may have more need of coverage of some sort.
This really is your decision at this point. It's the last thing that would personally be on my mind. I'd leave it in place until the end.