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 ...
They made nurses sign an oath to the hospice when Terri was being killed. Two who refused to sign an oath to them were fired and were then interviewed by Sean Hannity. Those nurses knew Terri Schiavo was alert and aware and were probably nice to her (that would be wrong to be nice to someone the state is killing).
www.patientsalliance.org is about good hospices.
What a drama queen. You asked why I requested a barf bag, and I said it was because of your history of describing acts that make people sick. Now you can call those acts “murder” or “taking care of” or whatever you want, but don’t credit me for your choice of words, and don’t blame me for believing you did the things you said you did.
If you didn’t want me to tell what you had said that made me sick, you shouldn’t have asked.
By now you should know that I’m not the only freeper who hurls chunks when you brag about those things.
I think most hospices are very good. But a hospice like Hostage Woodside where Terri was exterminated can give them all a bad name.
Hostage Woodside is the best nickname for that place.
The other thing is that, although they would never admit it, doctors like to tackle impossible cases, and sometimes that leads to people becoming human guinea pigs. They want to try everything to see what works and what doesn’t. I don’t mean that to sound harsh. It’s just the nature of science and medicine. They like to experiment.
She came home one day a little disturbed and told me of how increasingly high doses of Dilaudid or Fentanyl will eventually push a dying person over the edge.
Nurses can be dangerous people. Never leave family with a nurse unattended when the family member is near death.
but to lie down without hope, ever....that is cruel and inhumane....
There are some real ghouls drawn to the hospice movement. I trained but became uncomfortable with trying to be a dying person’s best friend.
My aunt didn’t particulary care for the hospice worker. She said she could see my grandpa’s window as she pulled out of the parking lot. The nurse was watching them as though to be sure they were gone. They barely were home when they recieved the call that my grandpa had died. My family always wonders if she put something in his IV or put a pillow over his face to end it quick. We have no proof of such a thing, and there was no autopsy. We just weren’t impressed with hospice.
I have had a similar experience with two of my relatives. I wouldnt let a cat be cared for by hosptice nurses. In one case, I didnt even realize what happened until I thought about it later.
If you love your relatives..don’t fall for it. Let them die in peace in the loving arms of their family, it doesn’t cost a dime but maybe some lost wages and one less color TV with cable. We have got to make people see that what goes around comes around and we are heading in the wrong direction.
I agree. But there are many isolated people who never had children or are alone. They will be the grist for the hospice mill.
but the same tests within months? That is hard to understand isn’t it?
They are called procedures and they are billable.
Euthanasia is coming.
It will be said that “It is for the children.”
I know... I watch HOUSE!
Yup, along with cost shifting. Run unneeded medical procedures to help pay for the equipment, personnel.
I’m sorry to hear that. Some people, as evidenced by this thread, seem to have had wonderful experiences with hospice. I see in the “Obituary” section of the newspaper that contributions can be made to hospice. We certainly didn’t feel that way when my grandpa died. Do you mind sharing one of your experiences? If you don’t want to, that’s ok.
Seconded.”
The crickets are chirping.
Forgive my delay in responding, I've been out of town all week and didn't have my laptop.
Obviously, having someone come into your home and care for a loved one isn't part of the culture of death anymore than taking someone to a hospital for care is part of it. However, when a health care worker takes steps that can ONLY RESULT IN DEATH, it is part of the culture of death. This is what hospice workers did to Terri Schiavo and this is done to people every day.
When my grandfather was dying last year of inoperable pancreatic cancer, he was cared for at home by hospice workers and they were wonderful and I know that there are many wonderful and caring people in this field. But the fact still remains that there are many who are pushing a pro-death agenda and these are the ones that I oppose.
OK, just making sure. Wouldn’t want you drinking the “all hospice is bad” Kool-Aid. :-)
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