Potential Federal Budget Cuts to Hospice Reimbursement

The most recent budget package sent to Congress specifically asked for drastic cuts in hospice reimbursement rates. Together, two proposed approaches would cut rates in excess of 15 percent. Such an action, if approved by Congress, would cut hospice reimbursement by more than $5 billion. This cut would dramatically impact the care that hospices around the country, including Hospice of Yuma – Yuma’s non profit hospice -- can provide to patients facing life-limiting illnesses and their families. Please consider contacting our congressional representative and senators to weigh in your opinion about this most important issue. Please write and ask our representatives and senators to oppose these proposed Medicare hospice reimbursement cuts.

Sample Congressional Letter (WordPerfect)

Arizona Congressional Delegation

NIght of Champions

Hospice of Yuma: Sharing the Journey

Hospice of Yuma has served the community since 1981, providing compassionate care for many terminally ill patients and their families. We focus on helping patients and families cope with what they fear most about dying – being in pain, being alone, losing control, and being a burden to others. For patients, hospice care offers emotional and spiritual support and state-of-the-art medical care, tailored to the patient's wishes to remain at home, as pain free and comfortable as possible.

Learn more about what Hospice of Yuma can do for you and your loved one.

Who Does Hospice Help?

Some people have diseases that can be managed or slowed, but not cured. These conditions can include:

Heart Disease (CHF, Cardiomyopathy)
Lung Disease (COPD, Emphysema, etc.)
Kidney Disease (Renal Failure)
Liver Disease (Hepatitis, Cirrhosis)
Cancer
Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia
Strokes
Parkinson's Disease or Lou Gehrig's Disease
AIDS
Certain Birth Defects

As these diseases progress, it becomes harder to prolong life and preserve quality of life. When aggressive measures are more likely to prolong suffering than restore health, it may be time to consider hospice care. Hospice focuses on making the end of life a comfortable and meaningful time.

If you would like to learn more about how Hospice can help you or a loved one, please visit our office, call us, or visit these other web sites.

Hospice of Yuma serves patients in Yuma, San Luis, AZ, Gadsden, Somerton, Wellton, Tacna, Roll, and Lake Martinez. No one in this service area is denied service for inability to pay. Call to find out if you or someone you know is eligible for hospice services.

Choosing a Hospice

With multiple hospice agencies in the area it is important to make the best choice for your loved one. The following are important questions to ask when choosing hospice services:

• Is the hospice organization non-profit, fulfilling patients’ needs as its priority, or is it for-profit, ultimately placing investors needs as its top priority?
• Does the hospice have a full-time physician on staff, Board Certified in Palliative Care Medicine who makes home visits?
• Does the hospice have respite contracts with all long-term care facilities in the area to ensure choices?
• Does the hospice have contracts with the local hospital and long-term care facilities to provide acute in-patient hospice services when needed?
• How long has the hospice organization provided services in the area?
• What type of reputation does the hospice have in the local medical community about the quality of services provided?