Whats Behind the Criticism of Hospice? Is It Fair? - Hospice has grown from a social movement to an industry. Largely thanks to Medicare reimbursement, hospice is big business. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), the number of hospice patients served each year has increased eight-fold in two decades, to nearly 1.6 million, and the number of Medicare-certified hospices has more than doubled to 3,500. But providers have gone from being overwhelmingly small, non-profits to for-profit businesses. By 2012, almost two-thirds of Medicare-certified providers were for-profit. And there are fewer non-profits today than in 1997. Hospice is facing unprecedented public criticism. In recent months, The Washington Post has published at least four highly critical articles, alleging widespread instances of poor care and fraud. In June, The Huffington Post published a long investigative piece largely targeting the practices of the for-profit hospice operator Vitas Healthcare Corp. What’s this about? How did a movement aimed at comforting the dying become a target for widespread allegations of fraud and patient abuse? Is the criticism legitimate? Here are a few thoughts: Patty’s only regret is that they didn’t start hospice a little sooner. “What a difference it would have made. Hospice was like having a “How To” book in your home; How to Care for Someone Who Is Dying and Keep Them Comfortable.” Patty felt that it was such a gift to be able to spend this time with her mom, so they could show her she was loved and keep her comfortable in the home she loved and felt the most comfortable in. Don’t wait to learn about hospice services when you, or a loved one who has a terminal illness, is in a crisis. Know what services you are entitled to, so you can make decisions and get help at the appropriate time. Remember, hospice doesn’t have to be such a scary word. nj/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2014/09/generations_hospice_care_not_s.html
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 01:22:08 +0000