Hospices Develop Nurse Residencies to Stem Labor Pressures

As hospice providers contend with industry-wide nursing shortages, some are taking matters into their own hands with in-house residency programs. A lack of hospice-specific clinical training is a significant recruitment barrier. Few nursing students receive exposure to hospice or palliative care during their education, and most do not feel prepared to provide end-of-life care to […]

The Uncertain Future of Hospice Certificates of Need

While their merits are hotly debated, the substance of certificate of need laws often exist in a state of flux. Certificate of need (CON) laws have a huge influence on hospices’ ability to expand patients’ access to care, as well as impact the competitive landscape and quality of care in a given market. A myriad […]

The Case for Integrating Social Determinants Into Palliative Care

Individually, palliative care and social determinants programs both have the potential to improve quality of life and reduce costs — but that potential may be greater when the two are combined. Social determinants are non-medical needs that can have a significant impact on the trajectory of patients’ health, such as nutrition, transportation, social or caregiver […]

Staffing Shortage Strains New Hospice Business Lines

Hospices are developing new services to meet patients’ complex needs and capitalize on value-based payments, but the workforce shortage is causing complications. Ensuring appropriate staffing is a key consideration in service diversification. This goes beyond numbers alone — employee interest and engagement also count, according to Christina Andrews, director of professional services at Axxess. “When […]

Contessa Launches JV with Memorial Hermann Health System

Amedisys (NASDAQ: AMED) subsidiary Contessa Health has unveiled a new joint venture partnership with Texas-based Memorial Hermann Health System. This marks another milestone in Contessa’s strategy to build pathways for greater integration of home-based care and palliative services. The partnership is intended to expand the delivery of palliative and home-based medical care in the state, […]

New Research Proposes ‘Sustainable’ Palliative Care Payment Model

A group of researchers have modified a proposed reimbursement system for palliative care that they say would improve access for patients and make the service more lucrative for providers. The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) in 2017 proposed that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) consider the Patient and […]

The Rise of Tech-Enabled Grief Care

A proliferating number of startups are developing tech solutions and services to support bereaved families, employing a range of business models — including partnerships with hospices. This budding industry includes a number of rapidly expanding companies of varying size and scale. Some, such as the tech firms Empathy and Betterleave, have secured millions in investor […]

Regulators Taking Aim at Hospice PE Backers

Private equity firms are pouring investment dollars into hospices at a record pace. Meanwhile, legislators and regulators as far up as the White House are taking aim at those firms. Despite a cool down in the hospice mergers and acquisitions market during the first quarter of 2022, private equity firms have stayed aggressive on deals. […]

Hospice Sustainability Rides Hand in Hand With Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The business case for diversity, equity and inclusion in hospice care The drive for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in health care is more than a flash in the pan. It could impact hospices’ sustainability as well as their access to patients. Initiatives to reach underserved populations have been a rising priority among hospice providers. […]

LHC Group Shareholders Vote in Favor of UnitedHealth Group Deal

LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG) shareholders overwhelmingly approved the acquisition of the company by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UHG) subsidiary Optum for $5.5 billion. Optum announced the forthcoming deal in April. The purchase agreement stipulates that UnitedHealth Group will acquire LHC Group’s common stock for $170 per share. The companies expect the transaction to close during the […]