Where the Buck Stops, Starts in Hospice Reimbursement and Beyond

Providers and payers alike are strategizing ways to tackle current reimbursement challenges and anticipate hospice payment’s future direction. The lines between traditional fee-for-service and value-based payment systems will begin to blur as regulators seek to balance rising demand with the associated costs, according to Burke Wise, cofounder of Empassion Health. Regardless of where value-based payment […]

Hospice of the Foothills Joins California Hospice Network

Hospice of the Foothills of Nevada County has joined the California Hospice Network, a regional collaborative of nonprofit providers. Though each California Hospice Network member remains a distinct, independent organization, the partnership enables the hospices to collaborate on best practices and improve efficiency through cost sharing and shared services. Hospice of the Foothills launched in […]

BrightSpring Refiles to Go Public, Zeros in on $1 Billion Goal

Nearly a year after shying away from becoming an initial public offering (IPO), BrightSpring Health Services Inc. has allegedly re-filed, this time with a much higher valuation. The company, which does not yet have a stock symbol, raised the bar from when it initially filed in October 2021 with a $100 million listing. BrightSpring later […]

CMS’ Proposed Method of Selecting SFP Hospices May Be Flawed

While the hospice community has generally embraced the concept of a Special Focus Program (SFP) to address quality concerns, some are troubled by the government’ methodology for identifying providers. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to launch the program in 2024, according to language included in the agency’s proposed home health […]

VNS Health Expands Hospice Education for Underserved Asian Americans

VNS Health has developed community education programs to boost awareness and hospice utilization among Chinese populations in New York City.  Having a diverse staff, as well as outreach materials in various dialects, are two keys to developing culturally competent public education programs designed for Asian Americans, according to Teresa Lin, vice president of cultural market […]

By the Bay Health to Merge with Mission Hospice & Home Care

By the Bay Health and Mission Hospice & Home Care recently signed a letter of intent to merge the two California-organizations. Joining forces under one umbrella is a move to beef up their combined presence in an increasingly competitive hospice market, improve access to care and improve quality, according to spokespeople for By The Bay […]

How the 4 Largest Hospice Industry Groups Work Together to Support Program Integrity

The four largest hospice industry organizations have been working to present a united front to address widespread program integrity issues. As those problems proliferate, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), LeadingAge and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) have been speaking […]

How the Right Investments Can Help Hospices Reduce Turnover

Assessing clinician satisfaction and streamlining onboarding can pay off for hospices when it comes to staff retention. Hospices have poured dollars into retention amid widespread workforce shortages exacerbated by the pandemic. Some have expanded employee benefit packages, raised wages and revamped their scheduling and paid leave policies to improve work-life balance. Investing in retention efforts […]

5 Things to Know About New AccentCare CEO Laura Tortorella

AccentCare recently tapped Steward Health Care COO Laura Tortorella as its new CEO. A look at her background reveals some of the reasons Tortorella may be well-suited for the role. The Dallas-based home health and hospice provider announced on Sept. 14 that Tortorella would succeed former CEO Stephan Rodgers as he steps down. AccentCare is […]

NPHI Calls for Revisions to Proposed Hospice SFP, Home Health Rule Provisions

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should clarify timeframes associated with a proposed informal dispute resolution process for hospice providers and retool aspects of the agency’s forthcoming Special Focus Program, according to an industry group representing nonprofits. The National Partnership for Hospice and Healthcare Innovation (NPHI) has issued public comments on CMS’ […]