Unmet caregiver needs are a top issue to address in developing end-of-life care models encircling the Medicare landscape. Among top priorities in current and future payment models is to improve care for those with serious and terminal illnesses, which includes caregiver support, according to Purva Rawal, chief strategy officer for the Center for Medicare and […]
Centers to Advance Palliative Care
Palliative care principles should guide the care that COVID-19 patients receive, according to the authors of a recent editorial in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary and Acute Care. Core aspects of palliative care can provide a foundation for responding to a COVID patient’s needs, including alleviation of symptoms, multidisciplinary teams, patient-centered care, and support for patients’ […]
As the COVID-19 spread continues with climbing death rates and confirmed cases, providers across the health care continuum are navigating the impact on patients and staff. With older adults and those with serious medical conditions at greatest risk, palliative care stands to play a significant role during the coronavirus outbreak. According to the U.S. Centers […]
While the number of hospices and other organizations providing palliative care continues to expand nationwide, staffing shortages represent a barrier that threatens to slow this growth. The United States has 13.35 hospice and palliative care specialists for every 100,000 adults 65 and older, according to an April 2018 study. The research estimated that by 2040 […]
Hospices will soon have the opportunity to participate in value-based payment models such as Medicare Advantage and Primary Care First. To be successful in such an environment, providers need to strengthen their skill sets when it comes to early patient identification, population stratification, among other competencies. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies […]
At a time when more health care stakeholders are recognizing the value of home-based care, a rising number of hospitals and health systems are expanding their services into the community, particularly when it comes to palliative care. Home-based palliative care could reduce societal health care costs by $103 billion nationwide within two decades, according to […]
Nearly 80% of consumers who received background information on palliative care said they would choose it for themselves or their loved ones, according to a recent survey by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). However, a lack of public awareness persists. CAPC’s survey is designed to track awareness, perceptions, attitudes and interest in palliative […]
Ongoing workforce shortages in the hospice space are expected to worsen, with Florida taking the biggest hit due to the size of its population older than 65. The number of hospice and palliative care physicians and members of other disciplines will drop precipitously during the next two decades, largely due to retirements and staff leaving […]
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has launched a new caucus to focus on legislation and policy that impacts palliative care. The legislators said they expect the Comprehensive Care Caucus to raise awareness of palliative care, promote utilization, improve care coordination, support caregivers and expand access to palliative care services. Founding members of the Comprehensive […]
The federal government should work with stakeholders to develop a national strategy for palliative care, similar to those developed to combat smoking, H.I.V., the opioid epidemic and pandemic influenza, according to Diane Meier, M.D., director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care. A national strategy would bring together government agencies, health care organizations, the private […]