title: A history of the Medicare hospice benefit.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Chronic Care Purchasing Policy Group, Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoyer
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006738:Hospices / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States