Bereavement Care
This content is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a healthcare professional. In case of an emergency, immediately call 911.
Bereavement care is the process of supporting individuals through the emotional and physical grief that follows a loss. Through professional grief counseling and therapy, bereavement care helps people navigate the pain of loss in a healthy way. While everyone’s grief journey is different, recovery and a return to daily life are supported by family, community, and access to appropriate mental health resources.
Coverage & Benefits
Medicare Part A (Hospice Benefit)
- Eligibility: Bereavement care is included as part of the Medicare hospice benefit for those with a terminal illness (life expectancy of 6 months or less).
- Support for Family: Social workers, chaplains, or bereavement coordinators provide emotional and spiritual support to the family. Counseling services are available for up to 13 months after the patient’s death.
- Patient Costs: There are typically $0 out-of-pocket costs for bereavement counseling provided by a Medicare-approved hospice program.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Coverage: Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover all services provided by Original Medicare (Parts A and B), including bereavement care under the hospice benefit.
- Supplemental Benefits: Some Part C plans may offer additional grief counseling or expanded family support programs through supplemental benefits.
- Claims Processing: Even for Part C members, hospice-related bereavement services are generally processed through Original Medicare (Part A), while the Part C plan continues to manage other supplemental services and prescription drug coverage (Part D).
- Patient Costs: Standard bereavement services provided through the hospice benefit generally have $0 out-of-pocket costs. Costs for using a private counseling network outside of the hospice benefit will vary by plan.
Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare)
- Hospice Care: NJ FamilyCare covers hospice services, including bereavement support for the family, when medical necessity criteria are met.
- Patient Costs: For eligible recipients in New Jersey, there are generally $0 copayments for hospice-related services, including bereavement counseling provided through the hospice team.
- Palliative Care: The Community-Based Palliative Care (CBPC) benefit provides additional support for NJ FamilyCare members with serious illnesses — a terminal diagnosis is not required. Services include symptom management, caregiver support, and psychosocial counseling. This benefit operates separately from hospice and can be used while continuing current treatment.
Private Insurance
- Hospice Benefits: Most private insurance plans follow Medicare guidelines for hospice care, which include bereavement services for surviving family members.
- Mental Health Parity: If counseling is sought outside of a hospice program, coverage is typically governed by the plan’s outpatient mental health benefits. These services must be covered at a level comparable to medical and surgical benefits.
- Continuity of Care: After the death of a policyholder, dependents may qualify for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to secure new coverage (for Marketplace plans). Those on employer plans should inquire about COBRA or other available options.
Medicare Part A (Hospice Benefit)
- Eligibility: Bereavement care is included as part of the Medicare hospice benefit for those with a terminal illness (life expectancy of 6 months or less).
- Support for Family: Social workers, chaplains, or bereavement coordinators provide emotional and spiritual support to the family. Counseling services are available for up to 13 months after the patient’s death.
- Patient Costs: There are typically $0 out-of-pocket costs for bereavement counseling provided by a Medicare-approved hospice program.
Cost Sharing by Insurance Type (2026)
Hospice and Bereavement Providers in Bergen County
The following are non-emergency contacts. In case of an emergency, immediately call 911.
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