We Must Do More to Help Our Most Vulnerable Seniors Recover With Dignity and Compassion

In my 30 years as a physical therapist, I have often been asked to review cases on behalf of my fellow practitioners. One recent case in particular tugged at my heartstrings because it exemplifies the damage that can be done when we fail to put patients at the center of care, and instead treat to payment incentives. This patient, whom I’ll call “Edna,” had been discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) after a hip replacement to repair her fractured hip. Edna had exhausted the 100 days of skilled therapy covered under Medicare Part A. As she transitioned to hospice care on day 102, the orthopedic surgeon wanted to know what had gone wrong.

Mary Dittrich, Senior Medical Director of Remedy Partners, and Joe Shega, Senior Vice President and National Medical Director of VITAS Healthcare, presented a webinar on July 20 on value-based care near the end of life. In it, they highlighted how palliative care and hospice services improve outcomes and positively impact cost, and they presented practical strategies that providers can use to deliver hospice and palliative care effectively.