---
title: "Does Medicare Pay for Respite Care? Hospice and Other Help"
description: "Does Medicare pay for respite care? How hospice respite works, what it costs, and other ways to pay for a caregiver break in Kansas and Missouri."
url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/medicare-respite-care/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: Senior Transition Assistance
---

Paying for care

# Does Medicare pay for respite care?

Caregivers need breaks. Medicare only pays for respite in one situation, but there are other ways to get help.

Talk it through with a person[  (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)

Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide.

Quick answer

Only through hospice. If your parent is on Medicare hospice, the hospice can arrange short-term inpatient respite care in a Medicare-approved facility, and you may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount. Outside hospice, Medicare doesn't pay for respite care. Other help can come from the VA, Medicaid waivers, your Area Agency on Aging's caregiver support program, and long-term care insurance. [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) to find respite options near you.

**Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently.

## How hospice respite works

- Your parent must be enrolled in Medicare hospice.
- The hospice team arranges the stay in a Medicare-approved facility, such as a hospital, hospice inpatient facility or nursing home.
- You may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care.
- Ask the hospice how long a respite stay can last and how often you can use it.

## Other ways to pay for respite

- **VA:** respite care is part of the VA's long-term care services for eligible veterans. See [veterans' care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/veterans/).
- **Medicaid waivers:** Missouri's Aged and Disabled waiver includes respite. In Kansas, ask the Aging and Disability Resource Center (1-855-200-2372) what the Frail Elderly waiver offers.
- **Family caregiver support:** the National Family Caregiver Support Program, run through Area Agencies on Aging, can offer respite and other help. See [Area Agency on Aging](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/for-families/area-agency-on-aging/).
- **Long-term care insurance:** many policies include respite; check the policy.
- **Private pay:** short stays in assisted living or a few days a week of [adult day care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/adult-day-care/).

### Need a break?

We'll help you find short-stay and day programs near Kansas City. Free.

[  (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form)

## Questions families ask

### Does Medicare pay for respite care?

Only as part of Medicare hospice, for short inpatient stays the hospice arranges.

### How much does hospice respite cost under Medicare?

You may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care.

### Does Medicare pay for adult day care as respite?

No. Medicare doesn't pay for adult day care.

### Where can I get respite help if my parent isn't on hospice?

Try the VA if your parent is a veteran, Medicaid waivers, your Area Agency on Aging, or long-term care insurance.

## Sources

- [Medicare.gov: Hospice care (including inpatient respite care)](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care)
- [Medicare.gov: Long-term care coverage](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care)
- [VA.gov: Long-term care and geriatrics](https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/long-term-care/)
- [ACL: National Family Caregiver Support Program](https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program)
- [ACL: Lifespan Respite Care Program](https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/lifespan-respite-care-program)
- [Missouri DHSS: Apply for Home and Community-Based Services, 1-866-835-3505](https://health.mo.gov/our-programs-services/home-and-community-based-services/apply-home-and-community-based-services)
- [KDADS: Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1-855-200-2372](https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/aging-and-disability-resource-center)

## Related guides

- [Respite care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/respite-care/)
- [Adult day care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/adult-day-care/)
- [Paying for it](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/)
- [Veterans](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/veterans/)

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