Learn about the “dark side” of the hospice business and how to identify and support organizations that are truly patient-centered.
My guest Jeffrey Lycan has spent the last 21 years of his hospice and palliative care nursing career as an advocate for improving care and quality of life for patients at the end of life. He will discuss the recent alarming reports issued by the OIG (Office of the Inspector General) about instances of negligent care in some hospices, the worrisome trend toward profit-centered rather than patient-centered care, and how to support community-based hospices that are preserving Cicely Saunders’ legacy of end-of-life care. Learn about the Why It Matters Campaign he has started:
www.ohioshospice.org/whyitmatters
This episode includes:
- The two OIG reports from July 2019 that exposed fraudulent and negligent care in some hospices (see links below)
- What a “deficiency” in a hospice survey actually means
- Business changes in the hospice industry that have contributed to flaws in the care being offered
- How some hospices now focus on profit first rather than patient care first
- How profiteering harms the hospice system, patients and staff
- New MedPAC proposal for lowering the annual per patient cap for hospices and why it may be a good thing
- How consumers can choose the best hospice for their loved ones
- How to register a complaint about hospice care
- The campaign Why It Matters: Preserving the Legacy of Hospice
As originally championed by Cicely Saunders, MD, the founder of the modern hospice movement, the hospice model of care was based on providing end-of-life care with both compassion and science, and offering this care through engaged community-based, not- for-profit programs.
-from Why It Matters Website
ANNOUNCING:
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Links mentioned in this episode:
- Episode 211 with Bodhi Be
- 7/2019 OIG Report: Hospice Deficiencies Pose Risks to Medicare Beneficiaries
- 7/2019 OIG Report: Safeguards Must be Strengthened to Protect Medicare Hospice Beneficiaries from Harm
- Washington Post Article on OIG reports
- NY Times Article: When a Health Insurer Also Wants to be a Hospice Company
- Hospice Compare website
- Where to report hospice fraud
- Where to report hospice negligence
- Why It Matters: Preserving the Legacy of Hospice
- Beautiful Dying Expo – November 2, 2019, San Diego CA
- Before I Die Arizona – October 29 – November 3, Scottsdale AZ
- Spiritual Journeys in Chronic Illness Course
- Join the team at Patreon.com/eolu and get access to the EOLU mug: “Mind if we talk about death?” (only Patrons can purchase it)
If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes! Thanks again to all supporters on Patreon.com/eolu, especially Susan Baumhammer, your contribution means everything to me!
This episode is the first of a 4-part series that introduces you to the members of a palliative care team. Today Dr. Colin Scibetta discusses his role as the physician on the team and how palliative care differs from hospice care. In future episodes you’ll hear from the team nurse, social worker and chaplain.
As this episode airs I am enjoying a trip through Spain, including cycling in the Andalucia region! I’ll be back home in a few weeks to report on the trip. Follow me on Instagram to see my photos at kwyattmd or this link: 