Hospice Care Contributed to $3.5 Billion in Medicare Savings in One Year

 

Delaware Hospice’s CEO, Susan Lloyd, was one of three speakers who presented key findings from the Value of Hospice in Medicare study on Capitol Hill yesterday to congressional staff. Ms. Lloyd, current Chair of NHPCO’s Hospice Action Network, was joined by Dr. Joesph Shega, Chief Medical Officer, VITAS as well as Dianne Munevar, VP of Health Care Strategy, NORC at the University of Chicago.

 

The study, published in March of this year, shows that patients’ use of hospice care contributed to $3.5 billion in savings for Medicare in 2019, while providing multiple benefits to patients, families, and caregivers. The research study, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, is one of the most comprehensive analyses of enrollment and administrative claims data for Medicare patients covered by Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare. It was funded by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

 

According to Ms. Lloyd, “This study not only confirms Medicare cost savings, but more importantly, it confirms that hospice care significantly improves the quality-of-life for patients, loved ones, and caregivers. Our Delaware Hospice care teams take a holistic approach to help manage the symptoms, pain, and logistics that accompany a life-limiting illness. By reducing the daily stress and anxiety of coping with a disease, patients and families can focus on what matters most.”

 

Key findings from the study include:

• NORC estimates that Medicare spending for those who received hospice care was $3.5 billion less than it would have been had they not received hospice care.
• In the last year of life, the total costs of care to Medicare for beneficiaries who used hospice was 3.1 percent lower than for beneficiaries who did not use hospice.
• Hospice is associated with lower Medicare end-of-life expenditures when hospice lengths of stay are longer than 10 days. In other words, earlier enrollment reduces Medicare spending even further.  
• Hospice stays of six months or more result in savings for Medicare. For those who spent at least six months in hospice in the last year of their lives, spending was on average 11 percent lower than the adjusted spending of beneficiaries who did not use hospice.  
• At any length of stay, hospice care benefits for patients, family members, and caregivers include increased satisfaction and quality of life, improved pain control, reduced physical and emotional distress, and reduced prolonged grief and other emotional distress.

 

More information

To access the full report and related materials, visit nhpco.org/hospiceworks.

 

Who is Available for the Media?

Susan Lloyd, President/CEO of Delaware Hospice, is available for interviews.

 

How to Contact Susan Lloyd for an Interview

Please contact Rose Benn at rbenn@delawarehospice.org or 302-478-5707. 

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About Delaware Hospice Since 1982

Delaware Hospice has provided the highest quality hospice and healthcare services, and serves as a trusted community partner in end-of-life education and support. Our mission is to provide support to every individual, family, and community with compassionate and expert care for serious illness. Accredited by the Joint Commission and active members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Center to Advance Palliative Care, Delaware Quality of Life Coalition, and Alliance Kids Delaware Hospice continues to be a licensed, nonprofit, community-based healthcare agency serving Delaware as well as southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. Through our commitment to care for our community, we offer the following programs and services, many free of charge: Delaware Hospice, the Delaware Hospice Center, Katybug, Delaware Palliative, Delaware Transitions, Bereavement, New Hope, and Honoring Choices® Delaware. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 302-478-5707 or visit our website, www.delawarehospice.org.