Professor, Division of Oncology, Dept of Medicine, U of Kansas Medical Center Medical Director, Kansas Telemedicine Project.
Hospice care refers to specialized, relatively non-interventional care given to terminal patients.
Its goals are to relieve suffering and ease the dying process for the patient and family. The concept originated in England and was introduced into the U.S. in the 1970's, where it is largely used for end-stage comfort care of cancer patients in their homes. Typically, the attending physician continues to manage the patient's care, as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, chaplains, and volunteers. Payment is through private insurance or the Hospice Medicare Benefit, which provides a fixed per diem reimbursement rate to certified programs. The Medicare benefit is a modified capitated system, where reimbursement is fixed regardless of diagnosis or cost of care, and is based on the number of days a patient is in the program.