hospice
DENVER, Colorado—Care Synergy announced Dr. Robert Howe, D.O. has been selected as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for all hospice, palliative care and home health affiliates across the Care Synergy network. Affiliates include The Denver Hospice (TDH), Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs, Pathways Hospice in Fort Collins and the Colorado Visiting Nurses Association which serves patients across the Front Range. Howe joined the organization last year as Chief Medical Officer for TDH.
Hospice patients will be able to receive concurrent care with Medicare Advantage as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended its Value-Based Insurance Design for calendar years 2025 through 2030. The extension also grants health plans the ability to restrict Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) from using out-of-network providers in 2026.
A Southern California man pleaded guilty to submitting false enrollment applications to Medicare that hid the real owners of a fraudulent hospice company, which then submitted over $3.1 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare.
Birmingham, ALABAMA—A new report released last month by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) found that Medicare spending for patients who received hospice care was some $3.5 billion less than it would if they had not gotten that care. HomeCare talked with NAHC President Bill Dombi about the report and why getting Americans on board with hospice is so important.
Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C.—Medicare spending for patients who received hospice care was some $3.5 billion less than it would if they had not gotten that care, according to new research released Wednesday, March 22.
The Boards of Directors from Stillwater Hospice and Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice announced the two organizations have combined as one effective March 1, 2023.
KANSAS CITY, Missouri— Husch Blackwell’s Hospice practice team handled a record number of hospice audits during 2022, part of a surge in audits witnessed by the industry, the company said. Attorneys at Husch Blackwell worked on more than 200 audit matters for hospices throughout 2022, a number the group anticipates will remain steady or potentially increase in the coming year.
WASHINGTON, DC—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should require hospice care providers to report all allegations of abuse and neglect immediately to survey agencies, regardless of whether the alleged perpetrator is affiliated with the hospice, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) urged in a new report.
The Department of Health and Human Services neither agreed nor disagreed with GAO's recommendation.
LAKEWOOD RANCH & CLEARWATER, Fla. (November 1, 2022)—Empath Health announces Charles D. Johnson, SPHR, SCP, has joined the not-for-profit health care organization as its chief mission colleague officer. In this role Johnson will be responsible for developing and executing strategies surrounding the organization’s human capital—its colleagues.
DALLAS (October 27, 2022)—Elara Caring, a provider of home-based health care, has added hospice care to its offerings at its location in Tinley Park, Illinois. The expansion of services will enhance community access to expert, compassionate, personalized care for those facing life-limiting illness.
Updated Oct. 27 at 7:37 Eastern time to include additional quotes from Bill Tauzin.
ST. LOUIS (October 25, 2022)—The National Association for Home Health & Hospice (NAHC) took some time from the annual conference to recognize the contributions of staff and industry advocate.
ST. LOUIS (October 25, 2022)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) announced a new strategic initiative today at its annual conference.
Unveiled as NAHC 2.75, the new initiative builds on the goals of NAHC 2.0, which launched in 2018 with the goal of improving the membership experiences and advocacy of the organization.
ST. LOUIS (October 25, 2022)—As the National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s (NAHC) Annual Convention and Expo concluded today in St. Louis, Missouri, one issue loomed over the attendees: What will happen with the federal government's home health final payment rule, which must be released no later than Nov. 2?
DALLAS (October 20, 2022)—After a thorough audit of its home health, homecare and hospice software solutions, Axxess has earned ACHC Product Certification. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) offers product certification based on a comprehensive evaluation of the product’s ability to meet ACHC standards in administration, operations, fiscal management, human resources, provision of care, quality assurance/performance improvement and risk management.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 13, 2022)—Trustbridge, a nonprofit hospice provider in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, recently announced a partnership with the leading nurse-first triage service provider, IntellaTriage. IntellaTriage’s partnership will ensure Trustbridge continues to deliver best-in-class care while improving clinician quality of life.