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But hospices need to vet and train human and animal volunteers to sustain these services. Hospices offer a variety of volunteer-based programs such as art, aroma, massage and music therapy, with some providers increasingly integrating animals into their mix of services.
Research has uncovered common threads of quality impacts among the largest hospices nationwide as providers employ a range of initiatives to uproot the underlying causes of staff and family caregiver dissatisfaction. If your staffing is insufficient, people are not going to get timely help,” Hotchkiss told Hospice News.
Hospice chaplains often have little recourse for upward mobility along their career ladders. More professionals from a wider range of interfaith groups are entering the field, according to Shana Sullivan, bereavement coordinator of Texas-based Heart to Heart Hospice. He has also held hospice chaplain roles at St.
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 have grown increasingly frustrated by fraudulent operators in the space and how their activities affect legitimate operators’ financial health. This is the second of a two-part Hospice News series that explores how fraud, waste and abuse in the hospice space could create headwinds for the industry at large.
The soon-to-be-implemented hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) from the U.S. The Alliance was formed by the merger this year of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Association for Home Health & Hospice. “We The program, set to begin Jan. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Hospice News spoke with a group of industry leaders about the most pressing market forces and trends that will shape the space during 2025. They also spoke about the need for greater integration of hospice into the larger health care continuum and the benefits of operators broadening their scope of services. Heath Bartness, CEO, St.
Montana-headquartered Stillwater Hospice has found a successful rhythm to strategic rural-based growth and sustainability. Launched in 2017, the hospice company serves predominantly rural-based populations in Montana, northern Wyoming and South Dakota. If youre a rural hospice, you may have higher reimbursement needs.
The temporary telemedicine rules allowed hospices and other health care providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine such as ketamine, cannabis, MDMA and psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, among other drugs. But it’s more likely at this point that this will continue to get kicked down the road again at the end of 2025.
Underserved patient populations are facing a growing deficit when it comes to accessing quality, inclusive hospice care at the end of life. When we look specifically at hospice, we still have a lot of gaps to close [and] we continue to see two significant disparities, Bloom said at the Hospice News ELEVATE conference in Florida.
Stymied Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home room and board could threaten access to care for hospice patients in California and possibly other states. When caring for patients in nursing homes, hospices typically pay for their room and board with the expectation that they will be reimbursed by Medicaid for those expenses.
A Ventura County, California, physician has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for Medicare fraud for medically unnecessary hospice services. Dr. Victor Contreras worked for two hospices in Pasadena California Arcadia Hospice Provider Inc., and Saint Mariam Hospice Inc. Justice Department indicated.
Rising competition in the hospice space has fueled pivotal changes in end-of-life care delivery both for better and for worse, according to Arizona-based Hospice of the Valley Executive Director Debbie Shumway. We began in 1977 as a nonprofit hospice, and we are still a nonprofit today.
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.
Hospice of the Chesapeake has unfurled a new dementia care program aimed at providing improved emotional, educational and practical support for patients and their caregivers as their conditions progress. The new program provides patients and their caregivers with direct support from Hospice of the Chesapeake’s interdisciplinary care team.
Mahogany Home Health and Hospice recently launched services in southwestern Ohio. The new hospice startup is the first Black-owned hospice and home health organization statewide with a drive to improve utilization among underserved populations. Couzens has also held hospice chaplain roles at St.
Hospices that have palliative care service lines may be better poised for growth in the merger and acquisition landscape compared to others. In bringing a hospice to market, it is 100% of the time a question that comes from all potential suitors is do they have a palliative care program, Kulik told Palliative Care News.
Among the numerous tactics that unscrupulous hospices use to commit fraud, three are rising to the forefront. These regions have seen swarms of new hospices emerging and receiving Medicare dollars. Flying low is probably one of the most important pieces of this, Lund Person told Hospice News at the conference.
Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Jimmy Panetta (D-California) have introduced a bill that would reform aspects of the hospice Special Focus Program (SFP). If enacted, the Enhancing Hospice Oversight and Transparency Act also would increase the penalty for hospices that do not report quality measure data to 10% by 2027, up from 4% currently.
Grief support service lines can be an important pathway for hospices to reach communities outside of their patient populations. Ensuring that hospices bereavement programs are equipped to support grieving families of all walks takes thoughtful consideration and a two-pronged strategic approach, she stated.
Hospice News explores the issues garnering growing attention in end-of-life care 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
Today’s hospice leaders need to take a wide view into the range of challenges facing their interdisciplinary care teams, according to Dr. Andrew Mayo, chief medical officer at St. Croix Hospice. Croix Hospice in 2014 as an associate medical director. That team approach I think is really extraordinary for what we do in hospice.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently elaborated on its plans to expand public education campaigns designed to help protect hospice beneficiaries from fraudulent actors in the space. Program integrity concerns have heated up in the hospice industry.
New trends in hospice care delivery are pointing to a growing need for improved equitable access and diversified services that address a broader range of disease-specific patient needs. Hospice providers have been expanding the depth of their interdisciplinary disease-specific programs to meet that need, Ware said.
Improved staffing conditions have turned hospice into a growth engine for Enhabit Inc. Hospice currently represents about 20% of Enhabits patient volume, CEO Barbara Jacobsmeyer said at the HomeCare 100 conference in Florida. Hospice] is an area that continues to have some nice ability to grow. NYSE: EHAB).
Expanded hospice spiritual care training could lead to improved goal-concordant care delivery. Gaps in communication training exist for hospice chaplains, according to Edward Penate, palliative care chaplain-educator at Northwestern Medicine.
Six nonprofit hospice providers recently joined forces to form the Hawaii Palliative and Hospice Care Collaborative. The new collaborative includes Hawaii Care Choices, Hospice Maui, Kauai Hospice, Navian Hawaii, North Hawaii Hospice and St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaiis hospice program.
Hospices see improved quality and operational efficiency as their biggest return on technology investments in three key areas. Keeping pace with the evolving technology landscape can be pivotal for hospices sustainability as rising demand pressurizes workforces, Pathek indicated. Croix Hospice.
The long term care company Mission Health Services has acquired Utah-based Angel’s Crossing Home Hospice. The deal marks Mission’s first foray into the hospice space. About 15,900 Medicare decedents in Utah elected hospice in 2022, a rate of slightly more than 59%. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Hospices are traversing complex revenue cycle management processes that can hinder their ability to thrive amid growing demand, rising economic pressures and a complex regulatory environment. Croix Hospice. When you talk to hospice operators thats a real challenge in managing their back office.
Many hospices in 2025 are driving to expand in the senior housing and assisted living space. Many seniors are looking to assisted or senior living facilities as they age, Susan Ponder Stansel, CEO of Florida-based Alivia Care, said at the Hospice News ELEVATE conference in Orlando, Florida. To me, that’s a great opportunity.
That capital access will support the company’s acquisition pipeline in home health, hospice and personal care. Hospice is a cornerstone of New Day’s strategic focus. To date, the company has integrated 11 acquisitions into its pipeline, four of which have involved hospice assets. Scott Herman.
Serious and terminally ill children and their families often have limited options when it comes to pediatric hospice, respite and palliative care. The campaign has since grown to include 40 palliative and hospice programs across 27 states. Its about the work being done to fill a gap, Cottor told Hospice News.
Some hospices have delved deeper into service diversification to improve timely access and expand their patient reach, while others remain focused on end-of-life care delivery. The San Antonio, Texas-headquartered company provides hospice, home health, veterans services, assisted living and skilled nursing services.
Quality, compliance and financial stability are top of mind in hospice merger and acquisitions (M&A) as this year comes to an end. Growing demand is among the constants driving investor interest in the hospice space, according to Tom Lillis, partner at the Kentucky-based firm Stoneridge Partners Strategic Consulting.
NYSE: EHAB) is projecting strong hospice growth in the next year fueled in part by investments in technology and workforce development. The home health and hospice provider is in part leveraging technology to fuel its plans, Jacobsmeyer said during the Bank of Americas Securities 2024 Home Care Conference. Enhabit Inc.
Carol Miller (R-West Virginia) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) have reintroduced the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act. If enacted, the bill would allow hospices to conduct face-to-face recertification visits via telehealth. Hospice care exists to provide comfort and compassion during heartbreaking times.
A guilty plea has been filed in a hospice fraud scheme that allegedly bilked Medicare for $17 million in false claims. Fichidzhyan was among the five individuals that the FBI arrested in June 2024 in connection with the hospice fraud and money laundering scheme. Justice Department.
Eden Health of Northern Nevada, dba Eden Hospice, has acquired A Plus Hospice Care in its home state. Through the transaction, A Plus Hospice Care patients will have access to Eden Health’s additional services, including home health, home care and palliative care. Financial terms were undisclosed. About 17.4% of Nevada’s 3.1
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made public its first cohort for the hospice Special Focus Program (SFP). Finalized in the 2024 home health payment rule, the program is designed to identify poor performing hospices, mandate quality improvement and in some cases impose additional penalties. million annually.
Blue Ridge Hospice is rebranding under the name Blue Ridge Care to signify its expanded mission and scope of services. This includes Blue Ridges hospice and palliative care programs, its Center for Hope & Healing bereavement center and its subsidiary Blue Ridge Independence at Home Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Texas-based New Day Healthcare LLC has announced its acquisition of Good Samaritan Society’s hospice operations in its home state. The transaction includes Good Samaritans hospice assets in El Paso, Texas, expanding New Days existing presence in that market. Hospice utilization rates hovered at 49.1% Scott Herman.
Staff development, technology adoption and steady organic growth are top priorities for Family Hospice CEO Charles Hall as he takes the helm at that organization. Family Hospice was founded by Jack Draughon and Mark Kempsey three years ago. My father had been in hospice. Army officer.
Engaged physicians can aid hospices ensure regulatory compliance and help improve patient satisfaction. Hospice physicians are responsible for some of the most important aspects of care. NHPCO has since merged with the National Association for Home Care and Hospice to form the National Alliance for Care at Home.
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