Methodist will test new hospice model

Treatment continues during care

Methodist Hospice is one of 140 providers nationwide that will help test whether providing both treatment and hospice care for Medicare patients improves care and patient satisfaction and reduces costs.

Hospice care is provided for patients with a terminal illness who are expected to live for six months or less. The federal Medicare and Medicaid programs currently require that patients drop treatments to cure a disease to receive hospice care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will test providing both options under a new Medicare Care Choices Model originally planned for 30 providers but expanded to 140. Methodist Hospice is among five selected in Tennessee.

Hospice services, provided where the patient is, range from nursing and social work to aides, respite care and nutritional support.

“The Medicare Care Choices Model has the potential to shift patient care in a new direction that will greatly benefit patients,” Dr. Clay Jackson, Methodist Hospice and Palliative Care medical director, said in a media release.

“This model will help push our health care system to provide a more integrated experience and to expand the choices patients have, empowering them to choose the best options for their care.”

In unrelated news at Methodist Healthcare, Methodist South Hospital Tuesday broke ground on an $8.75 million expansion of its emergency department. Current emergency department space of about 10,000 square feet will expand to 22,750 feet.