The threat of COVID-19 has forced many providers to keep high-risk seriously and terminally ill patients isolated to limit the virus’s exposure and spread. As families become disconnected from loved ones approaching the end of life, hospice providers have sought new ways to offer mental health support during the pandemic. Social isolation during the coronavirus […]
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) in New Hampshire is collaborating with Concord Hospital to provide advanced illness management services that incorporate palliative care principles. The two organizations have developed a financially sustainable model for meeting patient needs and allowing for smooth transitions to hospice when appropriate. The model has its roots in a pilot […]
As the health care system strives to care for the legions of patients suffering from COVID-19, hospices have accepted an influx of patients who are infected with the virus. With hospice and palliative care patients among the most vulnerable to coronavirus disease infection, providers have ramped up infection control efforts to protect those at highest […]
Joshua Proffitt, president of hospice and home health provider LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG), indicated that hospice growth was a “top strategic focus” for the company. LHC Group has completed a number of hospice acquisitions so far in 2020 with additional transactions in their pipeline. “We’re so well-positioned that top priority of hospice expansion and growth […]
A new partnership between Hospice of Hillsdale County in Michigan and Hillsdale Hospital’s skilled nursing facility reflects an industry trend towards interdisciplinary service collaborations in end-of-life care. The move also comes at a time when hospices are seeking ways to improve access to patients in nursing facilities amid tightened restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. “The […]
The rapid spread of coronavirus jolted the nation’s health care systems, illuminating breakdowns and deficiencies in the delivery of acute, serious illness and end-of-life care. With millions of Americans falling ill to the virus and thousands dying, a heightened focus has fallen on hospice and palliative care as providers seek to learn from the COVID-19 […]
Health care technology company WellSky, which works extensively in the hospice and post-acute care space, has inked a definitive agreement to purchase CarePort Health from its parent company Allscripts (NASDAQ: MDRX) for the sum of $1.35 billion. CarePort develops software platforms designed to better connect post-acute care providers with payers. The acquisition is expected to […]
Patients covered by Medicare Advantage plans who are faced with the decision of whether to elect hospice may be discouraged by the need to transition off their health plan for most of their care. This practice that has the potential to change through the forthcoming value-based insurance design model demonstration, often called the Medicare Advantage […]
Hospices have ramped up screening procedures as the coronavirus pandemic continues sprawling across the country. Technology has played a key role in the fight against COVID-19 as new resources and methods become available to providers. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) recently announced a partnership with Atlanta-based WellEntry to develop a health […]
Medicaid health plan provider Aetna Better Health of Virginia has launched a partnership with technology and advance care planning solutions firm Vital Decisions to begin a telehealth program to engage plan members in goals-of-care discussions following diagnosis of a serious illness. Early conversations are positively associated with family decisions to limit or withdraw life-sustaining treatments, […]