Variation In End-Of-Life Care Is An Open Invitation For Accountable Care Organization Innovation

Conclusion In short, in a market that is moving away from paying for care based solely on the quantity provided, the EOL care realm remains a largely unventured but promising area for ACO innovation. The variation in hospice use means that there are delivery inefficiencies that, if corrected, could generate both clinical and financial improvements, which are precisely the types of advances rewarded in the ACO reimbursement structure. Furthermore, hospice inclusion in Medicare ACOs finally provides a platform and the incentives to learn more about local hospice markets, rethink how palliative care should be used to improve use by seriously ill individuals and streamline the timely initiation of hospice care, and change the static hospice benefit to reflect the very different EOL needs of individuals with different serious or terminal conditions. Individuals with a serious or terminal condition are a population with a demonstrated need for care coordination that is currently woefully unmet in the fee-for-service environment. While the ACO model has generated little momentum toward improving EOL care, the conditions are right for a more thoughtful integration of palliative and hospice services into the ACO care continuum.
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: End of Life & Serious Illness Medicare Quality Accountable Care Organizations Medicare hospice benefit palliative care services Source Type: blogs