I’m Maria, and I’ve sat in the chair you’re sitting in right now — not just as a nurse practitioner with more than two decades in adult care, but as a daughter who spent eight years keeping her father comfortable at home. One of the first questions every family asks us is simple and completely reasonable: Will Medicare cover the equipment we need? The short answer is yes. When you enroll in the Medicare hospice benefit, Lavender Hospice — a fully adjustable hospital bed — along with nearly every piece of durable medical equipment your loved one needs for comfort and safety is covered. No surprise bills. We handle the coordination so you can focus on being present.
The Equipment Medicare Hospice Covers — In Plain Language
Under the Medicare Part A hospice benefit, we provide durable medical equipment and supplies that are related to the terminal diagnosis — and for most patients, that covers the full picture of what comfort at home requires. Families in Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, and across your area are often relieved to learn how comprehensive this list actually is.
- Hospital bed — adjustable head and foot positioning, with side rails; delivered and set up in the room of your choice
- Pressure-relief mattress — critical for preventing painful skin breakdown in bedbound patients
- Bedside commode — reduces fall risk and preserves dignity without a trip to the bathroom
- Wheelchair or transport chair — for patients who can still move but not walk safely alone
- Walker or cane — when mobility support is part of the comfort plan
- Oxygen equipment — concentrator, tanks, tubing, and masks for patients with breathing difficulty
- Suction machine — for patients who have difficulty clearing secretions
- Lift equipment or transfer belt — to protect both the patient and the family caregiver during repositioning
We also coordinate delivery, setup, and any adjustments. If something isn’t working — if the bed height needs changing or a different mattress is needed — we handle it. You shouldn’t have to make a single phone call to a medical supply company. That’s part of what we do. You can read more about preparing your home for hospice care to understand how each room comes together.
Does Hospice Provide Incontinence Supplies — and Other Personal Care Items?
Yes — and this matters deeply for dignity. Incontinence is one of the most sensitive aspects of late-stage illness, and families often tell us quietly that they weren’t sure they could manage it alone. We provide incontinence briefs, underpads, skin barrier creams, and gloves — all related to the diagnosis and covered under the benefit. This isn’t a small thing. Running out of supplies at 2 a.m. or not being able to afford them quietly compounds an already exhausting situation.
- Incontinence briefs and pull-ups (sized appropriately for your loved one)
- Waterproof underpads — for the bed and chair
- Skin barrier creams and wipes — to prevent painful skin breakdown
- Wound care supplies — dressings, tape, cleansers for any existing wounds
- Oral care supplies — sponge swabs, moisturizing gel (see our guide on mouth care and personal comfort in the final days)
- Gloves and safety supplies — for family caregivers who are helping with hands-on care
You should never have to drive to a pharmacy at midnight for incontinence briefs. Part of our job is making sure supplies arrive before you need them — not after.
Medications, Safety, and What Else Hospice Care Includes at Home
Equipment and supplies are only part of what the Medicare hospice benefit covers. Families caring for a loved one near the Biltmore corridor in Phoenix, or out in Gilbert and Mesa, are sometimes surprised to learn that medications for comfort — pain control, anxiety, nausea, and shortness of breath — are also covered when related to the diagnosis. This is what hospice care truly includes at home.
- Comfort medications — pain relievers, anti-anxiety medications, anti-nausea drugs, and more, delivered to your door
- A hospice comfort kit — a small emergency medication kit kept in the home so there’s never a wait in a crisis moment (learn more in our post on what the hospice comfort kit actually contains)
- Nursing visits — a registered nurse who knows your loved one checks in regularly, and is available around the clock for urgent needs
- Aide services — personal care, bathing, and grooming support to relieve the family
- Social work and chaplain services — emotional and spiritual support for the whole family, not just the patient
- Grief counseling — we support families before and after the loss, because you are going through something too
The Medicare hospice benefit (medicare.gov) is designed so that families are not left managing equipment logistics or supply costs alone. If you’re wondering whether it’s too early — or too late — to ask for this level of support, please read our honest guide on why enrolling earlier leads to a better experience. Most families tell us they wish they’d called sooner.
If you’re sitting with this question tonight — wondering what comes next, whether you can manage, whether you’re doing right by someone you love — please know that asking for help is not giving up. It’s the most loving thing you can do. Call at any time, day or night. We’ll walk through every question you have, explain exactly what we bring into your home, and make sure your family never feels alone in this.