Profit/Non-profit Hospices: Similarities and Differences

February 29, 2008

Medicare reimbursement rates are the same for non-profits as for-profits.
Medicare sets standards and requires the same program components for all Medicare certified hospices. Hospice Care of Kansas exceeds the Medicare standards.
All hospices have significant volunteer programs to benefit patients and families.
All hospices offer bereavement programs for 12-18 months following the death of their loved one.
All hospices have the same mission of providing care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses compassionate staff
Both for-profit and non-profit hospices have compassionate staff with a calling
Both for-profit and non-profit hospices serve unfunded and underfunded patients.
For-profits do not use funds or staff time for fundraising but rather focus all of their staff and financial resources on patient care. For-profits do not solicit funds.
For-profits fund the quality of life in their communities by paying taxes.
All hospices need to be profitable to continue to meet the growing and changing needs in the communities they serve. All providers of hospice care have the ability to be profitable.

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