Industry News: Bounced from Hospice

January 8, 2014

The New York Times recently posted a story titled, Bounced from Hospice. Reporter Paula Span  reveals the agonizing decisions many families face when hospice providers have to discharge patients due to Medicare rules.  The article examines several patients, including Mrs. Fine, 84, who was enrolled in hospice after she suffered a major stroke following a routine heart valve surgery. The article shares, “The hospice had admitted Mrs. Fine for 90 days, then another 90. After that, Medicare rules required re-certification every 60 days, meaning that a physician or nurse-practitioner must attest she is likely to die within six months if her disease runs its normal course. In May, when Mrs. Fine was no longer losing weight or showing other signs of decline, the hospice apologetically said she no longer qualified.” The reporter goes on to outline this growing issue with a variety of perspectives, and shares her concern for families that “get caught in this crossfire.”

Read the full article on the New York Times’ New Old Age Blog.

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