Work

Forced to Choose: When Medicare Policy Disrupts End-of-Life Care

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: In the last six months of life, 30% of Medicare beneficiaries use the skilled nursing facility (SNF) benefit for post-acute care after a hospital stay. Frequently, the circumstances that indicate a need for SNF care are the same as those of a worsening illness trajectory such as functional decline and falls, unstable health conditions, and pain and other symptoms. The following case example and narrative discussion describes the national implications of this issue and the need for Medicare policy changes that allow for concurrent rehabilitative care and hospice services.

Source: Journal of Aging & Social Policy

DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2020.1745737

Author: Joan G. Carpenter

Institutions: Philadelphia VA Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation, National Institute of Nursing Research