Navigation Links
National End-of-Life Organizations Release Consensus Statement on Hospice, the Medicare Hospice Benefit, and Key Issues for the Future
Date:1/8/2009

patients and families have availed themselves of its unique, interdisciplinary and cost effective approach to end of life care. Moreover, patient and family satisfaction with this high quality health care delivery system is extremely high. Quoting from a recent independent economic study from Duke University, clearly demonstrating the cost effectiveness of the Medicare hospice benefit, "...the Medicare program appears to have the rare situation whereby something that improves quality of life also appears to reduce costs."

Each year, a growing number of patients and families are accessing hospice care when they or their loved ones are facing the end of life. Health care professionals, as well as the public, are increasingly recognizing the value of this health care delivery system. Based upon demonstrated patient and family satisfaction with the care, the cost savings involved and the inherent compassionate philosophy of care that serves as a foundation for hospice, this growth has been encouraged by consumers and policymakers alike. Indeed, sound policy should foster growth in the Medicare hospice benefit.

Since 1982, patient demographics, treatment protocols, and public attitudes about healthcare have changed and the Medicare hospice benefit needs to keep pace with these dynamics in order to serve an ever larger, and more diverse, portion of our dying population and their families.

Payment policy is one of the areas that needs to stay current so that payment appropriately recognizes changes in patient demographics and treatment protocols. Updates should be carefully considered and evidence based to ensure that behavioral consequences are understood prior to implementation. The present payment methodology has served the hospice community and the public well since its inception, virtually without change. Analysis of both current and historical patient level data is necessary to fully understan
'/>"/>

SOURCE National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Copyright©2009 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Related medicine news :

1. International study strengthens case for daily calcium pill
2. Yakima Health Care Leader Tapped for Leadership Post at National Association
3. Virginia Tech Report Has National Importance
4. Donate Life America Dispels Myths About Organ & Tissue Donation Among Hispanics During National Hispanic Heritage Month
5. Us TOO Launches National SEA Blue Campaign for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
6. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Announces Webcast of Presentation at Thomas Weisel Partners 2007 Healthcare Conference
7. National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), the Largest Insurance Subrogation Association in the World - Announced Today that Leslie Wiernik has Joined the Organization as Director of Education
8. 4-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Former U.S. Drug Czar, to Address National Drug Crisis, Keynote Grand Opening of New Allenwood, PA National Model Detox Center
9. Australian-led international study shows blood pressure drugs cut death rate in type 2 diabetes
10. LCA Hails International Investigators Studying Lung Cancer
11. National Patient Safety Foundation Partners with Vocera Communications
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email: