History
The concept of hospice as an interdisciplinary approach to providing comprehensive end of life care began in Great Britain during the 1960’s. It made it’s way into the United States during the 1970’s and, in contrast to European hospices that delivered care in designated hospice facilities, was modeled to provide care in the patient's home environment.
As the hospice movement grew, lobbyists began to seek funding for care. This led to the Medicare Hospice Benefit in 1982. The Medicare benefit has served as the basis of the hospice model of care in the US and as a model for Medicaid and private insurance provision and reimbursement.
