Article
Top 5 Costliest End-of-Life Medicare Services
Author(s):
Costly services such Part B and Part D drugs add to the cost burden of end-of-life services.
The cost for end-of-life care for Medicare beneficiaries has been rapidly increasing as the population grows.
According to a study published by Kaiser Family Foundation, end-of-life care makes up approximately 25% of all Medicare spending on beneficiaries. This large proportion of spending is likely due to chronic conditions, and the utilization of expensive healthcare services at the end of a patient’s life.
Top 5 services that were the highest per capita spending for Medicare beneficiaries in 2014:
1. Inpatient Hospital Visits
These hospital visits accounted for 31% of all Medicare spending on beneficiaries.
2. Physicians/Providers/Suppliers
The 3 services were 21% of Medicare spending in 2014.
3. Part B and D Drugs
Both Part B and D drugs made up 19% of Medicare spending.
4. Outpatient Hospital Visits
Only 15% of spending was attributed to outpatient hospital visits.
5. Post-Acute Care
This category, including skilled nursing facilities and home health services, was 11% of Medicare spending in 2014.
