Former Canon Healthcare Owner Convicted for $47 Million in Hospice Fraud

A federal jury has convicted former Canon Healthcare owner Shiva Akula for False Claims Act violations totaling nearly $47 million. Canon Healthcare was a New Orleans-based hospice provider that also served the Baton Rouge and Covington, Louisiana, markets, as well as parts of Mississippi. Between 2013 and 2016, the company billed Medicare for $62 million […]

VITAS CMO Shega: Younger Patients Should Have Advance Care Plans

The benefits of advance care planning for seniors are well-documented, but younger adults should also ensure they are prepared for a life-threatening health crisis, according to Dr. Joseph Shega, executive vice president and chief medical officer for VITAS Healthcare, a subsidiary of Chemed Corp. (NYSE: CHEM). Data from some studies indicate that higher completion rates […]

Choice Health at Home Acquires Lumicare Hospice

Texas-based Choice Health at Home LLC has inked a deal to acquire Lumicare Hospice, growing its presence in two current markets while establishing services in a new state. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lumicare Hospice has locations in Texas and Arizona, two states in Choice’s existing service region. The hospice also has […]

Hospice Industry Groups Lobbying Congress to Change CMS’ Special Focus Program

The four largest hospice industry organizations are urging congressional lawmakers to mandate changes to the Special Focus Program (SFP) currently set to begin in 2024. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued its 2024 home health payment rule, which contained several hospice provisions. Among them was the Jan. 1 implementation […]

Aveanna Healthcare’s ‘Strong, Disciplined’ Hospice Growth

Though hospice is a smaller segment for Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAH), it remains a stronghold in the company’s strategic growth plans and a key to leveraging its value proposition among payers. Aveanna’s home health and hospice segment has had mixed results thus far this year, but saw recent improvement, along with its other […]

Betterleave to Expand to 12 States Following $2.4M Funding Round

The bereavement care tech company Betterleave has secured $2.4 million in a funding round led by Chingona Ventures. Austin-based Betterleave Bereavement launched as a venture capital-backed startup in March 2022. The company’s bereavement care platform is designed as a benefit that companies can offer their employees who have lost a loved one, a pregnancy or […]

Enhabit Mum on Potential Sale

Enhabit Inc. (NYSE: EHAB) is continuing to mull over a potential sale, with executives providing few details as the company determines its next steps. The Dallas-based home health and hospice company has been digging into a strategic review process since August that could result in a possible sale or merger of some or all of […]

Hospice Deals Propelling Growth for The Pennant Group

The Pennant Group (NASDAQ: PNTG) acquired five Medicare hospice provider numbers during the past six months, which accelerated growth for its home-based care segment. These deals expanded the home health, hospice and senior living company’s presence in California, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas and include a mix of existing operations as well as license purchases. “We […]

Caregiver Support a ‘Significant’ Priority in CMMI Models, VBID

Unmet caregiver needs are a top issue to address in developing end-of-life care models encircling the Medicare landscape. Among top priorities in current and future payment models is to improve care for those with serious and terminal illnesses, which includes caregiver support, according to Purva Rawal, chief strategy officer for the Center for Medicare and […]