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New approach aims to improve hospice take-up

Case Management Weekly, October 9, 2007

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Hospice programs and insurers are changing their approach to encourage more patients to take up hospice care. The New York Times reports that many end-of-life patients, particularly those under Medicare, are forced to choose between continuing with expensive curative treatment programs, such as chemotherapy, or hospice care.

That's a choice few want to make, leaving significant numbers of Americans either in hospital or making repeated ED visits as family care falters. Aetna is one of the insurance companies adopting an "open access" approach, allowing patients to receive both curative and hospice care. Proponents argue that it persuades patients to take up the option of hospice care earlier than they otherwise would.

"This program allows people to continue to get the medical treatment that they and their physicians believe is important," said Aetna CEO John W. Rowe, at the program's launch, "while enabling patients to achieve the commonly voiced objective of dying with dignity, in a place where they are comfortable, with those whom they love most."

Source: The New York Times

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