Financing palliative care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Economics
• Palliative Care Services

Background:

• Palliative care services are funded through multiple revenue streams.
• Diverse financial models support the delivery of palliative care.
• Understanding funding mechanisms is crucial for service sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the financial structures of palliative care services.
• To explain the methodology for calculating cost avoidance in palliative care.
• To identify all revenue sources contributing to palliative care programs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of revenue sources including hospital, nursing home, hospice, and physician payments.
• Calculation of cost avoidance by comparing patient care patterns with control groups.
• Inclusion of grants and philanthropic contributions in the financial mix.

Main Results:

• Palliative care financing is a blend of service-based revenue and external funding.
• Cost avoidance is a key metric, assessed through comparative patient care analysis.
• Grants and philanthropy form an integral part of the funding model for many programs.

Conclusions:

• Palliative care services rely on a multifaceted financial approach.
• Cost avoidance analysis provides valuable insights into the economic impact of palliative care.
• Diversified funding, including grants and philanthropy, ensures the viability of palliative care programs.