New reimbursement models are making the financial incentive to improve end of life care even more imperative for providers and patients. While an overwhelming majority of terminally ill adults prefer to receive end of life care at home, only one third of Medicare beneficiaries actually die in their homes. And 75% of patients are unable to make their wishes known once they are hospitalized with a critical illness.
Management and coordination of end of life care can be difficult for patients and providers, alike. Among seniors in traditional Medicare who died in 2011, Medicare spending averaged $33,500 per beneficiary - about four times higher than the average cost per capita for seniors who did not die during the year. In just the last month of life, patients spend on average $9,000 - approximately the full year equivalent for seniors who did not die during the year.
For physicians, end of life discussions can also be challenging. While 75% of doctors feel it is their responsibility to initiate end-of-life conversations, nearly half (46%) report difficulty doing so. A recent study of physicians found the biggest barriers to having such conversations are lack of time (66%), disagreement between patient and family (65%), and not knowing when the time is right (60%). Additionally, advanced directives can be hard to locate.
Digital solutions can help make end of life decisions easier for patients and providers alike. By offering a series of guided questions and choices that are facilitated by a provider, digital tools bring dignity and control to the conversation. Patients and families can better articulate their values and preferences, while providers can help them make more informed decisions. Empowering patients to make these decisions early prevents costly and painful hospital stays.
