Medicare Hospice Disenrollment Rates Studied From 2012-2019
Researchers analyzed hospice exit trends among over 1.4 million dementia patients in the United States.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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A retrospective study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society examined Medicare hospice disenrollment trends for dementia patients between 2012 and 2019. The analysis tracked outcomes for over 1.4 million beneficiaries with a mean age of 86.
Why it matters
Understanding how hospice disenrollment patterns changed over this period provides insight into the impact of federal payment and policy reforms on end-of-life care. These trends highlight differences in discharge practices between for-profit and nonprofit facilities.
The study analyzed 1.4 million Medicare beneficiaries with a mean age of 86, of whom 66% were women. Researchers found that 44.6% of patients disenrolled due to moving out of service areas experienced a hospitalization within three days.
The players
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
This peer-reviewed medical publication disseminates research regarding the clinical care of older adults.
The details
The analysis measured disenrollment as the percentage of beneficiaries discharged alive, noting a decline in exits due to extended prognosis from 10.9% to 9.7%. Conversely, transfers to other facilities rose to 4.0% and moves out of service areas increased to 1.5% by the end of the study.
Timeline
September 2012 marked the beginning of the hospice discharge study period.
The Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act was implemented in 2014.
The Hospice Payment Reform was implemented in 2016.
The study period for hospice discharges concluded in December 2019.
The research findings were published on September 15, 2026.
The Big Picture
This study assesses how the implementation of the 2014 Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act influenced patient outcomes across the national hospice landscape. The data tracks how regulatory shifts over the decade shaped discharge behaviors and facility standards.
Patients and families should be aware that hospice discharge policies vary significantly between for-profit and nonprofit providers. Understanding these trends can help families better navigate end-of-life care transitions and potential re-hospitalizations.
The takeaway
The research highlights that hospice care stability for dementia patients is heavily influenced by the facility type and evolving federal regulations. Families are encouraged to inquire about specific discharge policies when selecting hospice services for their loved ones.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving standards of care, visit the Alzheimer’s section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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