Enhabit Refocusing on Value-Based Programs, Seeking Hospice Deals

Enhabit, Inc. (NYSE-EHAB) is keeping a close eye on the regulatory and reimbursement landscape as it executes its value-based care growth strategy. The home health and hospice provider last summer placed a focus on expanding its Medicare Advantage (MA) business, forming a payer innovation team focused on strengthening Enhabit’s value proposition to health plans. “This […]

Queen City Hospice Expands in Rural Ohio with New Office

Ohio-based Queen City Hospice, an Addus Homecare (NASDAQ: ADUS) company, recently opened a new location in its home state. The new location in Fayetteville, Ohio, adds a central office in a rural region of the hospice’s service area that will reduce staff travel time. Queen City Hospice provides end-of-life care in six counties across the […]

Psyence, Newcourt Deal Would Create New Palliative Care Psychedelics Company

A new, publicly traded company devoted to exploring the use of psychedelics in palliative care is in development. Psyence Biomed, a subsidiary of the Canadian biotech company Psyence Group Inc., has signed a definitive business combination agreement with Newcourt Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: NCAC) to create the new organization. Psyence Biomed expects to receive a minimum […]

Amedisys Prioritizing Palliative Care Expansion

Expanding its palliative care business is a rising priority for Amedisys Inc., (NASDAQ: AMED) following Chairman Paul Kusserow’s return as CEO. The company’s palliative care strategy rests on the back of risk-based payment models, primarily Medicare Advantage, Kusserow indicated at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. This push dovetails with the home health and hospice provider’s […]

EMR Firm Careficient Acquires Net Health’s Hospice, Home Health and RCM Product Lines

The electronic medical record (EMR) company Careficient Inc., has acquired Net Health’s home health, hospice, home care and palliative business, as well as its revenue cycle monitoring (RCM) products. Net Health, an EMR and analytics firm, divested its HealthWyse, Hospicesoft and RCM division to refocus on its core rehab therapy and wound care lines, the […]

Bartlett Regional Hospital Seeks Hospice License to Fill Regional Care Delivery Gaps

Pending regulatory approval, Alaska-based Bartlett Regional Hospital may be stepping in to fill care delivery gaps after a local hospice closed due to labor shortages. Hospice and Home Care of Juneau (HHCJ) shuttered its services last year, citing high staffing costs and lack of clinicians. HHCJ had two hospice and 17 home health patients on […]

OIG Estimates $42 Million in Improper Medicare Payments for Advance Care Planning

A significant number of health care providers may not understand federal rules for billing advance care planning, contributing to an estimated $42.3 million in improper payments in 2019. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently reported the results of its audit of advance care planning (ACP) billing […]

Walgreen-Boots Alliance to Pursue Smaller Acquisitions in 2023

The Walgreens-Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) will focus on smaller tuck-in transactions in 2023 as opposed to the multi-billion dollar deals the company pursued in 2022. Last year, WBA poured money into health care provider investments and acquisitions, including the home-based care platform CareCentrix, Inc. and VillageMD. Those companies both provide palliative care in addition to […]