Making the Right Choice: The Benefits of Non-Profit Hospice Care
By: Deric Weiss, MD, LCFL Chief Medical Officer
When faced with the emotional and practical challenges of end-of-life care, taking into consideration the benefits of non-profit hospice care vs. a for-profit hospice may not seem important. However, understanding the differences can be crucial to ensure families make informed decisions that will optimally align with their needs and values.
When exploring the differences between non-profit and for-profit hospice providers, the main thing to keep in mind is the primary motive for their existence.
A non-profit hospice prioritizes patient care instead of profit margins. Whereas the profit motive can lead to decisions that favor cost cutting or offering fewer services to meet their financial goals. This is where the benefits of non-profit hospice care are most obvious.
Personalized Care and Additional Services: A Benefit of Non-Profit Hospice
Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is a non-profit hospice whose deep roots in the Cape Fear region reach back for more than four decades. This community commitment allows for services to be tailored to the local cultural and spiritual needs of patients and families, which creates a more personalized care experience. Its strong community support and non-profit status allows for a wider range of support services, such as grief counseling and volunteer programs, than typically seen in for-profit models.
Most importantly, studies have shown that non-profit hospices maintain higher quality standards in patient care. This is due to the focus on holistic well-being rather than financial gain.
Whenever I refer a patient to hospice care, I want to be assured that they will receive the best care possible. I know that a non-profit hospice is more likely to do this because they provide better access to disciplines with the most expertise in end-of-life care. For example, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare employs multiple hospice physicians and nurse practitioner specialists, giving patients, their families, and nurses direct access to medical experts 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
More Visits When You Need Them
The July 2019 Milliman Client Report on Hospice Medicare Margins states that non-profit hospices provide three times the number of physician or NP visits, 10 percent more nurse visits, 35 percent more social work visits and double the therapy visits than for-profit hospices. This is putting patients over profits!
Consider the Benefits of Non-Profit Hospice When Making Your Decision
Choosing a hospice care provider is a deeply personal decision that should consider the values and needs of the patient and their family. Taking into consideration the benefits of non-profit hospice status can often provide a compassionate, community-focused approach not seen in the for-profit hospices which prioritize financial efficiency. By understanding these differences, families can make more informed choices during a challenging time, ensuring that their loved ones receive the highest available quality care and support they truly need.
For more information on Lower Cape Fear Life Care, simply complete this form.
——————————————————————-
1 Gandhi SO. Differences between non-profit and for-profit hospices: patient selection and quality. Int J Health Care Finance Econ. 2012 Jun;12(2):107-27. doi: 10.1007/s10754-012-9109-y. Epub 2012 Apr 20. PMID: 22527254. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22527254/
2 Carlson MD, Gallo WT, Bradley EH. Ownership status and patterns of care in hospice: results from the National Home and Hospice Care Survey. Med Care. 2004 May;42(5):432-8. doi: 10.1097/01.mlr.0000124246.86156.54. PMID: 15083103. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15083103/
