Final answer:
A patient must have a physician-certified terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less to be eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit.
Step-by-step explanation:
To be eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit, a patient must meet certain criteria. Specifically, for a patient to be eligible, they must have a physician-certified terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its expected course. The focus of hospice care is on providing patients with comfort and dignity in the final stages of their terminal illness, often in their own home or a non-hospital setting. This type of care includes pain management and emotional support for both the patient and their family, acknowledging that the goal is no longer to cure but to offer quality of life during remaining time.