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Hospice News explores the issues garnering growing attention in end-of-lifecare delivery in seven of this years hidden gem stories. Topics span trends related to program integrity, workforce development, health equity, service diversification and the keys to hospices growth strategies. Optum completed its $5.4
Hospice leaders have lost sleep over workforce pressures plaguing the industry for several years running, a trend that is not anticipated to abate anytime soon. Staffing challenges were cited as the leading concern among 35% of 112 hospice professionals who participated in this years Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase.
Hospices coast-to-coast have undergone leadership transitions, including changes in legal executives and a slew of newly appointed CEOs, among other roles in the industry. Texas-based New Day provides home health, hospice, palliative and personal care services across 31 locations in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and in its home state.
Hospices nationwide have been diversifying their services to include palliative care, PACE, home-based primary care and a host of other business lines. However, some organizations have found success with disease-specific programs reimbursed through the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Also in 2024, The Connecticut Hospice Inc.
These evolving regulations have hospices concerned that a lack of virtual access to their services could have significant impacts on quality and health disparities. Weve inherited a kind of accelerated movement toward a new normal during the pandemic, Fratkin told Hospice News.
Development of the HospiceCare Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (HospiceCARE) Act has signaled that a wave of change may be on the horizon in end-of-lifecare delivery – including how patients are certified to receive these services. The area of end-of-lifecare was ripe for a pilot project.
Calvary Hospitals newly appointed president Michael Fosina is embarking on a deeper journey to improve quality and access to hospicecare amid rising demand. Research and workforce growth will play large roles in the future of palliative and end-of-lifecare delivery, according to Fosina.
Rising demand for end-of-lifecare is pushing hospice growth opportunities to the forefront in value-based reimbursement. More payers in this arena are increasingly recognizing the depth of potential beneficial outcomes when it comes to collaborative hospice partnerships. Details in the data trends The U.S.
This year has brought both tumultuous challenges and evolving opportunities for hospices that will steer hospice leadership during 2024. Hospice News spoke with a group of industry leaders about the most impactful forces that will shape the space in the coming year. Hospicecare reduces Medicare expenditures by about $3.5
Fraud and program integrity concerns dominated the news in 2024, along with large acquisitions, payment rules and regulatory changes. Meanwhile, lawmakers unveiled a bill with some of the most significant reforms proposed to date for hospice payment and oversight. The following are the most-read Hospice News articles of 2024. #1:
A range of new hospice executives have been recently tapped to lead organizations nationwide. AAHPM Announces New President-Elect Dr. Arif Kamal recently became the new president-elect of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). The hospice provider has inpatient care centers at Holy Cross Hospital, St.
As hospices zero in on their investments in staff engagement and operational efficiencies, organizational culture is becoming a higher priority. Hospices nationwide are taking varied approaches around how they fuel staffing investments with sustainable growth in mind. 2024Hospice News Outlook Survey and Report.
Preparing to work within a value-based payment environment is top of mind for hospice leaders as they look ahead to 2023, Pete Brunnick, CEO of VIA Health Partners, told Hospice News. Formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, VIA Health Partners currently serves 32 counties in North and South Carolina.
Palliative care, pediatric end-of-lifecare and end-of-life doula (EOLD) services are top of mind for hospices that are diversifying their services in 2024. There’s going to be so much change around value-based care coming in some way, shape or form for hospices,” Kudner told Hospice News.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is giving hospices a 3.1% increase to their per diem payments for 2024, according to a final rule published Friday. That will translate to a $780 million bump to hospice payments next year compared to Fiscal Year 2023, according to CMS. for next year, up from $32,486.92
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently finalized hospice payment rule. The concern, however, is that hospices lack the financial support and incentives needed to bridge barriers, with reimbursement a main point of contention, he said.
Hospices and other health care providers are increasingly recognizing the value proposition of end-of-life doulas. End-of-life doulas support patients and their families in a number of broad and diverse ways, according to Erin Collins, program director of The Peaceful Presence Project.
The most recent iteration of HospiceCare Accountability, Reform and Enforcement (HospiceCARE) Act, currently in a discussion draft phase, could have some unintended consequences in the future of end-of-lifecare delivery. Developed by U.S.
The Indiana Association for Home & HospiceCare (IAHHC) has unveiled a new employee support program designed to help with retention of much needed workforce resources in end-of-lifecare. The association’s staff also help manage the Kentucky Home Care Association (KHCA). The C.A.R.E.
The forthcoming HospiceCare Accountability, Reform and Enforcement (HospiceCARE) Act from U.S. Blumenauer announced the bill in June at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C. Hospice News / Merz Photography Hospice News / Merz Photography Rep. Hospice News photo by Merz Photography.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has voted to recommend a freeze on hospice payment increases starting in 2025. This recommendation is offered at a time when hospicecare costs have risen faster than any inflation update provided by CMS,” Dombi told Hospice News in an email. “A
Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is drafting a landmark bill that, if enacted, would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. Blumenauer announced the bill, the HospiceCare Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (HospiceCARE) Act, on Thursday at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C.
A group of Wisconsin-based organizations, including hospices, are working to improve end-of-lifecare among homeless populations. Dubbed Solace Home, the four-bed residential facility opened today and will provide end-of-life housing and caregiving for terminally ill individuals living in unstable or insecure situations.
Hospice providers, industry groups and other stakeholders recently penned a letter urging Congress to improve payment infrastructures that would increase access to end-of-lifecare among rural populations. So, for access to rural care, we’re going to have to depend on smaller rural programs.
Hospice providers are navigating a minefield in today’s regulatory environment to avoid getting caught up in the mix of fraudulent activity in the space. Fraud, waste and abuse exist in several different industries and health care is no exception. It’s a concern that continues to tarnish hospice.
While many in the hospice space agree that evolution is needed to help ensure quality end-of-lifecare outcomes, conflicting views swirl around how regulatory requirements and associated processes could get us there. Regulators and hospice providers share a common goal of ensuring quality end-of-lifecare experiences.
Care coordination and quality data will be engines for hospice referral growth. Hospices saw census volumes drop during the COVID-19 public health emergency as facilities nationwide restricted access to patients amid mandated state closures.
Hospice of the Red River Valley recently began construction on a new inpatient facility in North Dakota. Set to open by 2024, Heather’s House will expand hospicecare options for both adult and pediatric patients. . Development of the hospice house has been a long journey. COVID absolutely pushed it.
A new legislative package winding its way through Congress could re-allocate hospice funds to other programs. If enacted, it would make adjustments to the hospice payment cap for 2033 that would free up $927 million. The nation’s four largest hospice industry groups have voice opposition to these provisions. for next year.
Hospices combat both operational and financial challenges as they seek to grow and evolve their veteran programs around the diverse and complex needs of patients and their families. I think that’s a challenge that a lot of hospices run into.” Graveran is also a veteran.
Alive Hospice Names New CEO Alive Hospice has tapped Kerry Hamilton as its new president and CEO. Hamilton takes the helm at the Nashville-based nonprofit hospice after previously serving as principal of the health care consulting firm Ten26 Health Group.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has recommended to Congress a freeze on hospice payment increases starting in 2025. In its annual report to Congress, MedPAC urged policymakers to eliminate hospice base-rate increases for 2025. The 2021 aggregated Medicare hospice margin was 13.3%, according to MedPAC.
Both opportunities and challenges exist for hospice providers as regulators zero in on program integrity. Hospices stand to grow their census by taking on patients left behind by “bad actors” in certain markets. Widespread reports of fraud and abuse in hospice have led to intensified regulatory oversight during 2023.
Gavin Newsom (D) recently approved legislation that expands upon last years’ moves to strengthen hospice oversight in the state, among other enforcement actions. The bills — Senate Bill 664 and Assembly Bill 1280 — followed a Los Angeles Times investigation into alleged misconduct among hospice providers statewide.
Calls have grown louder for an overhauled design of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, but the path towards change is riddled with contrasting views over regulation, policy and payment structures. One part of the issue is that hospice reimbursement has not kept pace with evolving patient needs, Grant said.
Lawmakers in Connecticut and Vermont have recently introduced legislation aimed at protecting hospice and home health workers. Some stakeholders worry that the laws may impact care continuity among vulnerable homebound terminally ill populations lacking end-of-life support. 1, 2024 if enacted.
Hospice & Community Care has inked a deal to affiliate with Hospice of Central Pennsylvania. These can represent significant expenses for hospice and palliative care providers in today’s reimbursement climate. Each hospice has provided care in their respective communities for roughly 40 years.
Virginia-based Blue Ridge Hospice is building a foundation for a larger future with geographic expansion, a growing range of services and a rebrand in the works. We want to be in front of that not left behind,” Hamilton Fried told Hospice News. “So Meanwhile, its palliative care program has thrived.
The program is designed to recognize up-and-coming industry members who are shaping the next decade of home health, hospicecare, senior housing, skilled nursing, and behavioral health. Lindsay Nixon, administrator at Arbor Hospice, has been named a 2024 Future Leader by Hospice News. Time to adjust the sails!
Honing clinical scheduling and onboarding models is key to sustaining the hospice nurse workforce as demand for these clinicians rises and wages lag compared to those in other settings. Building sustainable models Effective and empathetic communication is among the key skills for hospice nurses to possess, White indicated.
Aveanna Opens Hospice De Novo Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. Through the new location, Aveanna provides advanced palliative care and hospice to community-based patients. Aspirus at Home spreads its reach in Michigan Aspirus at Home has widened its home health and hospice footprint into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) is seeking answers about hospice patients’ access to certain high-cost services. CMS included a series of requests for information (RFIs) in its proposed 2024hospice payment rule. CMS is getting on board with thinking through this problem,” Hoover told Hospice News. “We
Rebranding a hospice company following a merger or acquisition is a more complex process than it may seem at first blush. While consolidation slowed in 2023, many industry observers expect a rebound in 2024, though perhaps not to the record-breaking levels seen in 2021.
New hospice leaders have indicated that workforce development, efficient technologies and growth in home-based services represent key focus areas for providers during the next few years. Earlier in the year, Yonah Klein was appointed director of strategy at Unity Hospice and Palliative Care. It’s the ideal place for one to pass.
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