Final answer:
While hospice per diem rates typically cover routine services, physician visits may or may not be included and could be billed separately. Benefits of hospice care include patient satisfaction, potential for longer survival, and support for family members.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reimbursement for physician visits in a hospice per diem varies by hospice program and insurance policy. Generally, hospice per diem rates are designed to cover all routine hospice services, which typically include nursing care, counseling, medical social services, and medications related to the hospice diagnosis. Physician services may be included in the per diem, but in some cases, they are billed separately, especially if the physician is not employed by the hospice. It is important to review hospice care contracts and the insurance policies of the patients for specific details on coverage.
Research has shown that hospice care provides numerous benefits, including enhanced satisfaction among patients as they can remain at home and avoid complete dependence on outsiders for their care (Brumley et al., 2007). Additional benefits include a likelihood of longer survival for hospice patients compared to non-hospice patients (Connor et al., 2007; Temel et al., 2010), reduced burden of care for family members, and provision of increased family and social support, which together contribute to improved coping for all involved (Godkin et al., 1984).