Hospice Management Advisor Archives – September 1, 2003
September 1, 2003
View Issues
-
Consumer-directed health plans: What they may mean for hospice
Theres a new health care insurance game in town. And unlike other permutations of managed care, consumer-directed health plans give more purchasing power to consumers and not their employers. This new model assumes that if consumers have more choices, the right financial incentives, and appropriate information, they will be better informed and more prudent users of care. -
Consumer-driven plans expect rapid growth
It seems every new decade brings another twist to financing health care. Over the past 30 years, terms such as managed care, diagnosis-related groups, and capitation have become part of the health care industry lexicon. Now come consumer-directed health plans. -
Hospice Trends: Despite all the talk, demo projects are rare
Even though hospice care touches the lives of more than 800,000 Americans with life-threatening illnesses and their families per year, many critics have questioned the dominant payment mechanism for such care, the Medicare Hospice Benefit, which was implemented 20 years ago this November. -
NEJM: Some hospice patients hasten own death
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that patients who refuse food or fluids hasten their own demise. The article, titled Nurses Experiences with Hospice Patients Who Refuse Food and Fluids to Hasten Death, provoked a strong response from the hospice community. -
NHPCO’s talking points on NEJM article
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in Alexandria, VA, has issued a list of talking points hospices can use when discussing the New England Journal of Medicine-published study on Oregon patients who died after refusing food and water. -
Hospice served 15% more patients last year
In 2002, more than 885,000 Americans living with a life-limiting illness were served by the nations hospice providers, according to data collected by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in Alexandria, VA. -
Need to find money for a new program?
Youve got a great idea for a new program, but you dont have the cash to cover the start-up expenses or maintain the program while you build it. There may be grant money with your name on it you just have to use the right approach.