Regulation to cut hospice funds finalized

MONTROSE—The administration has finalized a regulation that will cut hospice Medicare reimbursement rates effective Oct. 1, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The cuts could range from 3 to 6 percent around the country.

Christy Whitney, president and CEO of Grand Junction-based Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, said, “Hospice is hoping that its supporters will contact our congressional delegation and encourage them to act to stop this rate cut.” In a telephone interview late last week, Whitney said “If it (the Medicare reimbursement cut) happens it will significantly impact our ability to do things as we do them now.” The cuts could impact community-based hospice programs such as bereavement and child bereavement, she said.

“Our core mission is hospice,” Whitney emphasized. She said that focus will not change.

Asked about plans for a residential hospice in Montrose County, Whitney said, “Our plan is to continue to do preliminary campaign and design work for a residential Montrose facility.” She doesn’t expect the cuts to impact those plans. Whitney also said the capital campaign for the Montrose facility is separate from the campaign for the Mesa County facility. “All the money we’ve raised in Montrose will stay in Montrose,” she said.

Faced with a Medicare reimbursement rate cut about seven years ago, Whitney created Heirlooms for Hospice, an upscale resale shop that generates revenue for Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado. Whitney also envisioned that Heirlooms would be the face of hospice in the community and provide a place for those who have lost loved ones to reconnect socially. The organization’s Heirlooms stores in Montrose, Grand Junction and Delta raised about $250,000 for hospice last year. Money raised by the Montrose store benefits hospice programs here.

The Montrose Heirlooms for Hospice store at 435 E. Main St. is closed for renovation and scheduled to reopen Aug. 11 with the addition of Baby ‘Looms. ‘Looms will specialize in baby clothing sizes 0 to 3T, as well as baby furniture, blankets and toys.

According to NHPCO, more than 1.3 million dying Americans received care from the nation’s hospice providers last year. An independent study by Duke University found that hospice care saved Medicare an average of $2,300 per patient. In addition, a recent MedPAC report noted that hospice profit margins are around 3.5 percent.

Whitney said the average length of time in hospice programs for Montrose, Mesa and Delta counties combined is 101 days. Montrose County’s average length of time is only 66 days, she noted. Whitney said there is a misconception that hospice care is expensive for families. People also may mistakenly believe they are saving hospice money by waiting until the last minute to utilize services. However, hospice care is virtually free for those covered by Medicare. “It’s a great benefit,” Whitney said.

For more information visit www.hospicewco.com or call 970-241-2212.