Researchers used data from Medicare beneficiaries with brain, pancreatic and metastatic malignancies cancers, matching patients enrolled in hospice before death to those who died without hospice care and comparing use and costs at the end of their life.
Comparing the two groups, hospitalization rates were lower among hospice patients (42 percent) vs. nonhospice patients (65 percent). ICU admissions were also lower (15 percent vs. 36 percent) and invasive procedures as well (27 percent vs. 51 percent). Costs were also lower — nonhospice Medicare beneficiares had a $71,517 price tag during the last year of life, compared to $62,819 for Medicare beneficiaries who were in hospice care.
“Our findings highlight the potential importance of frank discussions between physicians and patients about the realities of care at the end of life, an issue of particular importance as the Medicare administration weighs decisions around reimbursing physicians for advance care planning,” the study authors wrote.
More articles on hospice care:
SSM Health Care to acquire Audrain County Health Department’s home health, hospice division
Study: 16.3% of cancer patients did not receive hospice care until last 3 days of life
William W. Backus Hospital, Center for Hospice Care partner for palliative care
