The Analysis of Hospice Trends in the United States in 2020 Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Abstract

Hospice care plays a critical role in the healthcare system, providing terminally ill patients comfort and symptom management. While hospice care has many benefits, there is variability among the service throughout the United States. This study examines variations in the average length of hospice care among Medicare beneficiaries, specifically focusing on how geographic location and primary diagnoses influence these outcomes. Through analyzing these differences, this research aims to identify potential disparities in hospice care and influence positive change in end-of-life care. Public hospice care data from data.cms.gov were analyzed to explore these trends. Findings indicate that Medicare beneficiaries in the South and West regions of the U.S. experience longer hospice stays, and in contrast, those in the Northeast and Midwest (including Alaska) reflected reduction from this average. Notably, states with shorter hospice durations showed a higher proportion of neoplastic disorders as the primary diagnosis, while those with longer stays showed an inverse relationship with greater prevalence of circulatory system disorders and lower incidence of neoplastic diagnoses. Additionally, the analysis reveals a consistent decline in average hospice length with increasing age among patients aged 80-85 across all U.S. regions, as expected. These findings highlight regional and diagnostic factors that contribute to variations in hospice care duration. Ultimately, this study highlights the need for comprehensive patient data and qualitative research to better address the disparities in end-of-life care delivery.