A history of the Medicare hospice benefit.
Since the inception of the Medicare hospice benefit, hospice has marked a new approach to managed care. Its focus on cost-effectiveness has made it one of Medicare's most successful managed care options. Various restrictions were placed on the hospice program; but, in return for these limitations, advocates of the program received an opportunity to create a program entirely different from other Medicare providers. The challenges of operating a hospice include electing hospice care, candid communication, and the relationship with other providers. These challenges will continue to burden hospices until discussions of death can be direct, clear, and knowledgeable.
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Chronic Care Purchasing Policy Group, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore, MD, USA.
D049673:History, 20th Century; D006738:Hospices / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States