People may use private insurance or their own money to pay for palliative care services at home. Some may receive assistance from social agencies, service clubs, local cancer societies and other similar organizations. Palliative care provided in a hospital is usually paid for by provincial health plans. These plans usually cover most care including drugs, medical supplies and equipment while the person is in the hospital. In long-term care facilities, residents are usually required to pay for some of their care.
Costs vary among facilities.
There is usually no charge for bereavement support. It is often provided as part of palliative care services offered in hospitals or by non-profit or volunteer organizations in the community. You can obtain information from your family doctor or specialist, home care nurse, hospital social worker, spiritual counsellor, national, provincial or local palliative care association. If you are facing a life-threatening illness, you should talk over your wishes with your family and let them know what you want. You can also put your wishes in writing so that, in the event you are unable to say what you want, your family and health care providers will know.