As of Jan. 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will begin offering its 2.8 million members some of the most comprehensive benefits for end-of-life care in the U.S., according to The Boston Globe.
BCBS of Massachusetts will pay for more counseling sessions between patients and physicians to discuss patients' end-of-life care preferences, as well as expand access to hospice services. The state's largest insurer will also launch a home care program later in 2016, according to the report.
BCBS of Massachusetts is not alone in its growing emphasis on how patients are treated at the end of life and following patients' wishes. Medicare, as well as some other insurers, has decided to cover end-of-life discussions between patients and physicians.
However, BCBS is expanding these offerings even more. It will also pay for visits with psychologists, social workers and other mental health workers who support patients as they consider important end-of-life questions, such as where they want to die and do not resuscitate agreements, according to the report.
Because specialists in end-of-life care recommend people should consider these questions before they become seriously ill, BCBS will cover such counseling sessions for any member, not just those who are sick.