Hospice Care
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits and Coverage of Hospice Care
More than 18 million veterans currently live in the United States. These men and women may face unique health issues related to their years of service, including shrapnel and gunshot wounds, as well as mental health conditions.
For veterans in the final phase of their lives, hospice care can provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support for both the veterans themselves and their families. This compassionate care focuses on quality of life and providing dignity and meaning to end-of-life experiences.
Hospice care is typically recommended for patients with a life-limiting illness who have a life expectancy of six months or less. If you’re unsure if entering hospice care is the right decision for you or a loved one, the Veteran Decision Aid can be a helpful resource.
Palliative care, which also focuses on pain management and quality of life, is also part of the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package. Just as with hospice care, all enrolled veterans are eligible if they meet the clinical need for this service. There may be copays related to palliative care.
Additional Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has several benefits for honorably discharged veterans. These benefits, like many others, are filed for by the funeral director. Honorably discharged veterans who serve in active duty during wartime are entitled to a flag to drape the casket, a marker for the grave, and the right to be buried in a national cemetery. If the family of the veteran chooses to have him or her buried elsewhere, the VA may pay toward the funeral expense. The family may choose a monetary settlement in lieu of the government’s grave marker. The VA also has benefits for surviving spouses and surviving minor children that apply in some cases.
At Agape Care, we’re committed to meeting the unique needs of veterans who are facing advanced illness. Through We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, we’re able to provide the care, support, and comfort they and their family need during this time.
Learn how to apply for VA health care benefits here.