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.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (October 6, 2022)—IntellaTriage, a provider of post-acute nurse triage services, today announced a new round of growth investment led by Pacific Lake Partners, with participation from Trilogy Search Partners, TTCER Partners, The Nashton Company, Aspect Investors and Granite Point Partners.
FORT WORTH, Texas (October 6, 2022)—Jet Health, Inc., a regional provider of home health and hospice services, announced its acquisition of Trio Home Health and Hospice located in Denton, Texas, a provider of home health services as well as hospice care throughout North Texas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 4, 2022)—On Sept. 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the list of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that will participate in the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model during Calendar Year (CY) 2023, including those that will participate in the MA VBID Hospice Benefit Component (an offshoot of the larger VBID model which began operation in January 2021).
DALLAS (October 4, 2022)—Enhabit, Inc., a home health and hospice provider, announced the acquisition of Caring Hearts Hospice, a locally owned and operated hospice agency in Texas. Effective Oct. 1, 2022, this acquisition adds four hospice locations to Enhabit’s existing presence in Texas, allowing Enhabit to expand its nationwide footprint.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (September 27, 2022)—Agape Care Group, a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners and a leading hospice and palliative care provider in the Southeast, announced it has acquired GHC Hospice (GHC). Founded in 2014, GHC is a hospice care provider serving 25 counties in Georgia and South Carolina with a reputation for superior clinical excellence.
ROOSEVELT, Utah (September 9, 2022)--Canyon Home Care & Hospice, a leading home health and hospice provider in the Intermountain West, has announced the acquisition of Uintah Basin Home Health and Hospice, a division of the Home Care Services of Uintah Basin Healthcare.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 30, 2022)—The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 required the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement various hospice survey reforms. In the CY 2022 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) final rule, CMS addressed these reforms, including development of a hospice special focus program (SFP).
