Utilization and Cost of Services in the Last 6 Months of Life of Patients With Cancer - With and Without Home Hospice Care

Netta Bentur, Shirli Resnizky, Ran Balicer, Tsofia Eilat-Tsanani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the utilization and cost of all health services consumed during the last six months of life by cancer patients, and compared those with and without home-hospice care. Detailed information was extracted from the health care electronic administrative data files on 193 deceased cancer patients that their family approved the study (out of 429, 45%). About 88% had been hospitalized for 19 days on average and 53% visited the ER. One quarter received home-hospice care. Their average cost was $13,648 compared to $18,503 for patients without home-hospice care. Hospitalization contributed 32% to the total cost of patients with home-hospice care and 64% for those with it. The findings support the justification for significant expansion of home-hospice care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)723-725
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Nov 2014

Keywords

  • cancer
  • cost of services
  • end of life
  • home hospice
  • hospitalization
  • utilization of services

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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