Hospice: Hospice Use May Grow If Concurrent Care Demo Takes Off

Why This Topic Matters

It helps hospice, palliative care, and reimbursement professionals understand a policy change that could alter hospice election patterns and future Medicare program design.

Article Sections

1. Health reform provisions affecting hospice care

   Introduces the policy changes tied to health reform and the broader context for hospice access. It focuses on how the article frames the relationship between hospice use and concurrent care.

2. Medicare Hospice Concurrent Care Demonstration Program

   Summarizes the proposed Medicare demonstration and the agencies involved in planning it. It also notes the general scope of the demonstration and the areas it is intended to examine.

3. Removing the tough choice as a barrier to hospice

   Discusses expert commentary on how concurrent care may influence patient decisions about hospice. It places the policy change in the context of hospice philosophy and patient quality of life.

4. Utilization and cost context

   Provides background statistics on hospice participation, spending, and length of stay. This section supports the article’s policy discussion with high-level Medicare program data.