Data, Referral Partnerships Keys to Success in Value-Based Hospice Care

The rising tide of evolving payment models forthcoming in 2021 have hospice providers nationwide bracing for waves of change in end-of-life and serious illness care. As the move towards value-based care takes effect, providers will need to expand referral partnerships and enhance data analysis efforts to improve access to patients and families who could benefit […]

New AccentCare-Fairview Venture to Provide Hospice Care in Minnesota

AccentCare Inc. is establishing a new post-acute care organization with Fairview Health Services, which will offer hospice, home health and other care. AccentCare will be majority owner of the company with Fairview maintaining 20% ownership.  The newly formed company, branded as AccentCare® Fairview, will be Fairview’s preferred post-acute provider and will serve patients throughout Minnesota. […]

Alleo Health System Acquires Angel Heart Hospice

Alleo Health System has acquired Atlanta-based Angel Heart Hospice, as well as that company’s palliative care services, for an undisclosed amount. This continues Alleo’s growth trajectory as the company has pursued a number of acquisitions and developed new disease-specific programs this year.  This move expands Alleo’s footprint to eight additional Georgia counties. In Georgia, 51% […]

Hospices Need to Understand Risk Within Medicare Advantage

As hospices wade into the complexities of value-based reimbursement models in 2021, they must learn to understand the relationship between payment and risk within programs like Medicare Advantage. Starting in 2021, providers will have the option to participate in a demonstration project testing the inclusion of hospice in the value-based insurance design model, commonly called […]

Hospice M&A Must Adapt to a Virtual World

Deals used to be sealed with handshakes and ink on a dotted line, but COVID-19 has turned these old-school practices into risky propositions. With little opportunity for travel or face-to-face meetings, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ways hospice providers do business when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. Hospice M&A is striding forward at […]

Caring People Acquires Acappella in Home Care

Caring People has acquired Dallas-based hospice provider Acappella In Home Care. The New York-headquartered home health company on the same day also purchased home care organization Aging Care LLC and AMR Care Group, a care management firm. Financial terms for the three transactions were not disclosed.  In addition to hospice, Acappella’s 400 employees also provide […]

Hospices Must Demonstrate Value to Medicare Advantage Plans

Hospices have increasingly sought ways to demonstrate their value proposition to payers in anticipation of the approaching value-based insurance design model demonstration project, coming in 2021. Establishing relationships with participating payers, broadening the scope of care and services, and tracking patient care data will be essential next steps for hospices planning to participate in the […]

SCAN Health Plan CEO: Hospice Should Focus on Quality to Succeed in MA 

Hospices need to take a sharp look at their quality indicators to successfully work with Medicare Advantage Plans. Efforts to boost Hospice Compare star ratings and patient and family satisfaction scores will be essential when the hospice demonstration of the value-based insurance design model begins in 2021, often referred to as the Medicare Advantage hospice […]

Direct Contracting Payment Models to Allow Concurrent Hospice Care

The direct contracting component of the Primary Cares Initiative will allow eligible hospice patients to receive curative treatment while also receiving hospice care.  The direct contracting options include three voluntary payment models that are designed to help the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and health care providers reduce the cost of care […]

Bristol Acquires California VNA Hospice Operations

California-based hospice and home health provider Visiting Nurse Association of the Inland Counties (VNA) has been acquired in tandem by two different companies. Bristol Hospice purchased the VNA’s hospice operations for an undisclosed amount, whereas HealthSure Management Services (HMS) will take on the organization’s home health business. Financial terms for the HealthSure transaction were also […]