State Legislators Propose New Bill to Combat Hospice Fraud in Hotbed Region

Nevada lawmakers have introduced a bill to curb hospice fraud in that state. Nevada is among the four hotbed states seeing escalating program integrity issues in recent years, joined by Arizona, California and Texas. Sponsored by Assemblymember Rebecca Edgeworth (R-Las Vegas, District 35), the newly proposed bill introduced a number of measures that could widen […]

Congress Mulls Bill to Extend Hospice Recertification Via Telehealth

Federal lawmakers have introduced legislation designed to extend a key telehealth flexibility beyond a March 31 termination date. Reps. Carol Miller (R-West Virginia) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) have reintroduced the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act. If enacted, the bill would allow hospices to conduct face-to-face recertification visits via telehealth. “As patients enter into hospice care, it’s […]

Immigration Policies’ ‘Chilling Effect’ on the Hospice Workforce

The White House recently issued several executive orders that have ramped up the nation’s immigration enforcement policies. The health care sector may be facing a host of staffing and operational challenges as the regulatory moves unfold, according to Hannah Liu, manager of immigration advocacy at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). A tightening of immigration policies […]

Congress Extends Hospice Telehealth Flexibilities

Congress has extended the pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities through March 31, 2025. Early Saturday, legislators approved a continuing resolution to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. The bill contained language to extend the flexibilities, which includes the ability to perform face-to-face recertifications via telehealth. They were originally slated to expire on Dec. 31. The extension […]

Dole Act Could Give Veterans Greater Access to Hospice, Palliative Care

The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, currently winding its way through Congress, would likely increase access to hospice and palliative care for veterans, if enacted. The omnibus veterans’ benefits reform bill contains two provisions in particular that could influence hospice and palliative care utilization. First, it contains language from […]

The Hospice CARE Act’s Potential to ‘Dramatically Reshape’ End-of-Life Care Delivery

Hospice providers and stakeholders are carefully examining the proposed changes included in the recently introduced Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act as the bill begins its journey through the legislative process. Leading concerns in the industry include the bill’s suggested regulatory reforms to address program integrity in the hospice industry, along with […]

[UPDATED] Rep. Earl Blumenauer Introduces Hospice CARE Act in the House

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) has introduced the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, which, if enacted, could revolutionize the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Blumenauer announced that his office was working on the bill at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C. The bill includes an overhaul […]

Hospice CARE Act Would Create Reimbursement for High-Acuity Hospice Services

If enacted, the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act could open up reimbursement pathways for high-acuity palliative services during a time when demand and costs are rising. Developed by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenaur (D-Oregon) and announced in June at the Hospice News Elevate conference, the bill proposed massive reimbursement and regulatory changes […]