Hospice Care Proven To Benefit Patients, Families And Medicare's Bottom Line, USA

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 16 Nov 2007 - 16:00 PDT

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Findings of a major new study, conducted at Duke University, confirm that hospice services save money for Medicare while bringing quality care to seriously ill patients and their families. With more than 1.2 million patients utilizing the hospice benefit annually in the United States, the cost-savings of the Medicare Hospice Benefit is significant.

"The study reinforces what hospice professionals have advocated for years," noted Jan Cetti, President and CEO of San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care, a not-for-profit care organization in San Diego. "Our unique and comprehensive care model offers services to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones in a cost effective manner."

The hospice benefit was incorporated by Medicare in 1983 to provide specialized care at the end of life. San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care (SDHPC) participated in the initial trial to prove the cost-savings of the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Since its inception, use of this benefit has risen dramatically from 7 percent in 1990 to almost 30 percent in 2006.

The study concluded that along with the comprehensive approach of hospice care, it reduces Medicare costs by an average of $2,309 per patient. In addition, increasing the length of hospice service by three days increases savings by nearly 10 percent per patient.

This news comes on the heels of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month in November, where hospices around the country recognize and honor healthcare professionals and volunteers in this specialized field.

SDHPC continues to set the standard for policies, procedures and models in end-of-life care used by hospices and hospitals around the world. Together with providing traditional hospice care services to nearly 1,000 seriously ill adults and children each day throughout San Diego County, SDHPC is recognized for its advances in palliative medicine. The organization has transformed how end-of-life care is delivered and perceived - from team care models to research and training on advances in pain management worldwide.

"Our organization's beliefs are changing the way people face living and dying for the better," explained Charles von Gunten, M.D., Ph.D., Provost and Vice President at SDHPC. "Everyone here is engaged in taking good care of patients and in revolutionizing healthcare locally, nationally and globally."

The first and only academic hospice program in the region, SDHPC educates more than 1,200 healthcare professionals locally, nationally and globally, and is host to the largest physician specialty training program worldwide. SDHPC assists more than 10,000 individuals, experiencing grief and loss, with support, counseling and guidance each year. The far-reaching benefits of these programs bring value to patient and family care, as well as cost-savings to the healthcare infrastructure.

San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care