Posted on 11/27/2007 6:50:27 AM PST by shrinkermd
Hundreds of hospice providers across the country are facing the catastrophic financial consequence of what would otherwise seem a positive development: their patients are living longer than expected.
Over the last eight years, the refusal of patients to die according to actuarial schedules has led the federal government to demand that hospices exceeding reimbursement limits repay hundreds of millions of dollars to Medicare.
The charges are assessed retrospectively, so in most cases the money has long since been spent on salaries, medicine and supplies. After absorbing huge assessments for several years, often by borrowing at high rates, a number of hospice providers are bracing for a new round that they fear may shut their doors.
One is Hometown Hospice, which has been providing care here since 2003 to some of the most destitute residents of Wilcox County, the poorest place in Alabama.
The locally owned, for-profit agency, which serves about 60 patients, mostly in their homes, had to repay the government $900,000, or 27 percent of its revenues, from its first two years of operation, said Tanya O. Walker-Butts, a co-owner. Its profits were wiped out in the time it took to open the demand letters, Ms. Walker-Butts said.
Hometown paid its first assessment with a bank loan. When the bank declined credit for the second year, the hospice structured a five-year payment plan with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that administers the program, at 12.5 percent interest.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Now go back to your fantasy (or agenda) of great hospice care where everyone has your families best interest at heart but you and there is no reason to be concerned about what this is leading to.
“We will take you over without firing a shot.”
“You seem to operate under the delusion that you are the only person who has dealt with someone dying. I have news for you, ALL of us either have or will (usually many times) have to deal with the death of loved ones; however, most of us aren’t pushing the culture of death’s agenda.”
Please explain how having a professional come to your home to help take care of a loved one and ease some of their pain is a part of the culture of death. I’m all ears.
I’m sorry to hear of your experience. My mother went to a Christian hospice where we stayed with her after she experienced a massive stroke. My mother was prepared to meet God and looked forward to eternity. We were with her every minute of the day and someone from the family stayed with her each night; friends and family came to be with her, although she was not capable of responding. The nursing attendants prayed with her and with us, read scripture to her. They administered medication to manage pain. She died in less than three weeks.
It’s been four years now and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think I should give her a call. Still hard to think that she is gone.
As a physician I can tell you what is happening. People are put on hospice that should not be. They are infecting our Nursing Homes. Why you need hospice in a NH is beyond me. But they have a new diagnosis “Adult Failure to thrive” that qualifies people for hospice. Thesse people just do not eat well and lose weight. There is not way they can say these patients are going to die is 6 months. Many elderly patients eat poorly and live for years. I have been complaining about this.
Where’s that Richard Lamb “Duty to Die” speech, from the “we care about the little people” party?
I see the problem, but do not have a solution. Perhaps better screen, filter and judgment criteria would help.
It’s funny, you spend a lot of time being an insulting worthless asshole no a sensitive subject, and a lot of time insisting you know more about it than anybody else, but you spend zero time putting out any facts. What is actually wrong with acknowledging that someone is going to die, that their time on this mortal coil is up and letting them die comfortably?
Yeah I miss them all, Started in ‘95 and in ten years we buried a whole generation on both my wife’s side and mine.
They were the greatest generation, Salt of the earth, honest hard working, war hero’s and everyday hero’s every last one. There is a gap there that I do not think will ever be filled
Carolyn
It is controversial and no-one is sure that it will hold up in court.
As always, not answering a direct question. I’ll ask it one more time. WHERE ON THIS THREAD DO I ENCOURAGE DEATH? If you can’t come up with it, then you owe me an apology.
Don’t waste you time trying to discuss facts with these people. They don’t want facts, they want to appear to be holier than anyone else. I hope when their time comes, they have people as compassionate as you there for them.
LMAO!
I cannot count the number of threads where you have pushed abortion and euthanasia, the fact that on this thread you have only talked about the financial benefits of letting people die doesn't change that.
Finally, someone who can really help us out here! So, what do you think the solution is? As our population ages, what do you think we as a Nation should be doing and/or planning for?
You’re a very creepy human being. I can certainly see why you’re so concerned about people dying alone.
Since you have so much experience and such strong opinions on hospice care in the US, I would really like to know what are your recommendations for the care of people who are no longer seeking active health care interventions for their medical problems?
You have told me that my perspective is wrong, so please add to my knowledge of the issue.
Well, Hildy, I have noticed that when you return from the other site, you are usually posting on a “death” thread. And you are usually in favor of hurrying it along. Just an observation. Take it or leave it.
No, that’s what you look for. By the way, this isn’t a death thread...this is a life thread. But because you are one of those always looking in the dark, I suppose I can see why you would think what you do.
I’m sorry for your loss. I believe our experiences are the norm.
Me thinks that thou protest too much. LOL! (I take it you are leaving my observation — no surprises there.)
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