News Report | February 22, 2015
Medicare Hospice Spending Up 46% From 2007 To 2012
From 2007 to 2012, Medicare spending on hospice services increased by 46%, from $10.3 billion in 2007 to $15 billion in 2012. However, the rate of increase differed by the beneficiary's living arrangement. The greatest increase was among residents of assisted living facilities (ALFs); spending more than doubled, rising from $1.0 billion in 2007 to $2.1 billion in 2012. For Medicare hospice beneficiaries in other settings (home, nursing facility, or skilled nursing facility), Medicare hospice spending increased by 38%, from $9.3 billion in 2007 to $12.9 billion in 2013.
The Medicare hospice benefit provides . . .