The Hill: Yes, We Can Put Chronic Patients First and Lower Costs Simultaneously
An article in The Hill, "Yes, We Can Put Chronic Patients First and Lower Costs Simultaneously," discusses payment and delivery models that better reflect patient and family needs.
The article talks about providing additional flexibility to Medicare Advantage plans and testing new approaches in Medicare fee-for-service, and discusses the formal recommendation by a panel of experts convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of two models by John A. Hartford Foundation grantees, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC).
"One [model] provides a monthly payment to a primary care provider for the improved coordination of care for Medicare beneficiaries. The other, while similar, specifically allows for palliative care teams to deliver community-based palliative care to patients."
"These models would allow for the delivery of community-based services specific to high-need patients who are not yet eligible for or ready for hospice services. The new payment approach would seek to end the revolving door of hospitalizations for those with advanced illness, avoid unwanted treatments that aren’t in line with the patient’s wishes, allow the patient to live and receive care in the setting that’s most comfortable to him or her, typically the home; and make sure that the patient and family are listened to, and their care goals are being met."
To read the article, click here.
To learn more about the recommendation, click here.
