News from the Noteworthy:
Have a plan: Start the conversation

New York State is 50th in the nation for hospice utilization, and I wish I knew why.

I believe most people know about hospice. It is a service that helps and supports those with life-limiting conditions to address their symptomatic needs. Additionally, hospice supports the patient families, including bereavement care after the patient passes. New York has a hospice utilization of 30 percent, meaning only 30 percent of those who qualify for hospice die with the hospice service. And for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, it’s free. All of the services, prescriptions; emergency room visits; if necessary, hospitalizations; all covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as by many commercial insurances.

The benefit is also good for six months or more of improved quality of life, not for the last days or hours. The word Hospice itself has a negative connotation, that is one of several reasons Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care changed our name to Helios Care.