In late 2019, data from the National Association for Home Care & Hospice showed a 20.2% increase in nursing demand, with a projected 500,000 nurses due to retire by 2022. The cost of replacing these nurses is massive: upwards of $100,000 for replacing each nurse. Nursing turnover was set to be a major challenge in […]
A hospice provider’s score on its CAHPS survey (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) is one of the most important quality measures it has — and whether that score is pleasing to the provider often hinges on perhaps the trickiest time for care: after hours. “The biggest burden to patient experience is getting in […]
This article is sponsored by Citus Health. In this Voices interview, Hospice News sits down with Citus Health Co-Founder and CEO Melissa Kozak, RN, CRNI, to learn about how Citus Health is leading hospice and other post-acute care providers forward with care coordination and communication technology; why this is especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
Denied claims are frustrating and expensive for hospice providers. According to the American Medical Association, Medicare annually denies 4.2% of all claims, the highest rate among U.S. payers, while the average denial rate across the hospice industry is higher, ranging from 5% to 10%. Hospices will spend an extra $25 to $30 each time they […]
During the last several years, the hospice mergers and acquisitions market has luxuriated in an upsurge in volume and valuations. The market strength displayed throughout 2016-2018 continued through the boom quarters of 2019, and the M&A advisory firms’ outlook for 2020 was positive. As 2019 closed, however, the firms’ partners could not have anticipated the […]
Access to quantitative and benchmarked quality data are common expectations of palliative care providers, health systems, and payers. For more than a decade, three quality measurement registries have met that expectancy: the Global Palliative Care Quality Alliance, the National Palliative Care Registry™, and the Palliative Care Quality Network. As the field has grown, however, the […]
Careful management of resources can help hospices avoid the need to repay Medicare for revenues that exceed the payment cap. Hospices that receive Medicare payments are likely familiar with payment caps: upper limits to the amount of funds a hospice can collect from Medicare in a single fiscal year. Hospices that exceed either the inpatient […]
While staring down tighter reimbursements and intensified regulatory scrutiny, hospices are becoming interested in health care system integration because of improved access, collaboration, operational support, and financial stability. Hospices and hospitals are increasingly joining forces to provide goal concordant care, reduce costs and prevent readmissions, while supporting growth for the hospice. While most people wish […]
Congress is moving to give the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) more authority to crack down on quality problems six months after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) criticized the agency in two reports for not more closely enforcing hospice regulations. Meanwhile, CMS is […]
In a crowded market, hospices increasingly seek diverse ways to set themselves apart and remain competitive. An emerging tactic is to augment traditional care models to be more inclusive of patient and family needs, including support for their pets. Pet programming has become another way for hospices to expand their services and boost volunteerism. Pet […]
Subscribe
Receive industry updates and breaking news from Hospice News