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Getting help

Advance care planning and Medicare

Medicare covers conversations with your provider about the care you'd want if you couldn't speak for yourself, including help filling out an advance directive. What it costs and how to start.

Checked against official sources on October 27, 2026 · How we check facts

Advance care planning means deciding, ahead of time, what care you'd want if you couldn't make decisions for yourself, and who should speak for you. Medicare covers time with your provider to plan it.

What's covered

  • Voluntary advance care planning as part of your "Welcome to Medicare" visit or yearly wellness visit.
  • Advance care planning as part of your other medical treatment.
  • Help starting an advance directive, a legal document that records your wishes about future medical treatment. Your provider can help you fill out the forms.
  • Updating your advance care plan during a dementia care planning visit. See dementia care.

What it costs

  • During your Welcome to Medicare or yearly wellness visit: nothing, if your provider accepts assignment.
  • At other visits: the Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance apply.

Things to decide

  • Who you want to speak for you if you can't.
  • What directions you want to give about treatments you would or wouldn't want.
  • Who should have copies: the person you choose, your doctors, your family.

You have the right to carry out your plans without discrimination based on age, disability or other factors, and you can update your advance directive at any time.

Getting help

Forms and rules for advance directives vary by state. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov) can connect you with local help. When the time comes, Medicare also covers hospice care.

Common questions

Does Medicare pay for advance care planning?

Yes. It's covered as part of your Welcome to Medicare and yearly wellness visits, where you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. At other visits, the Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance apply.

Can my doctor help me fill out an advance directive?

Yes. Your provider can talk with you about an advance directive and help you start the paperwork and fill out the forms.

Can I change my advance directive?

Yes. You can update it at any time.

Sources

General information, not advice about a specific plan.