A range of emerging payment model demonstrations are integrating principles traditionally associated with “palliative care” into their structures, but without using that term. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) has unveiled a series of models that incorporate elements designed to provide patient-centered care to improve seriously ill patients’ quality of life. Examples include […]

The 2024 update to the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) clinical practice guidelines place renewed emphasis on palliative care. The guidelines are updated periodically by a multidisciplinary team, including a patient representative and experts in medical and radiation oncology, hematology and palliative care. For the 2024 revisions, this panel reviewed 52 randomized controlled trials […]

Providence Hospice-Community Healthcare of Texas has established a new palliative care clinic at Limestone Medical Center in its home state. The clinic officially opened on Aug. 15 with a ceremony featuring local government officials, health care professionals and other dignitaries. The clinic is designed to provide care to support the quality of life of seriously […]

Palliative care providers’ largest referral hurdles have been long-rooted in misunderstandings about their services. Breaking down referral barriers to improve patient access can take vigilant education and outreach efforts. Among the most common misconceptions about palliative care is that these services are often conflated with hospice as support received at the end of a person’s […]

Integrating pharmacists who specialize in palliative care can improve the quality of cancer care, research has found. Palliative pharmacists bring an additional layer of knowledge and training to bear for seriously ill patients, according to an analysis published in Pharmacy Times. A number of research papers and stakeholders have advocated for the inclusion of these […]

Palliative care is integral to Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) programs, according to Dr. Glenn Meyers, who was recently promoted to chief medical officer of BoldAge PACE. New Jersey-headquartered BoldAge emerged last year, established by a group of former hospice and home health leaders. The company currently operates four PACE centers located […]

While palliative care is an important part of medical care for many patients and providers, marketing messaging for these services must be carefully crafted. Given the rampant misconceptions about palliative care, education is an essential component of a marketing strategy, including for patients and families, referral partners and payers. A key point is to distinguish […]

As a sector, most standalone palliative care providers are still maturing from startups into long-term, sustainable businesses. The World Health Organization estimates 56.8 million people need palliative care annually, worldwide. However, only about 14% of people who need this care receive it. While the need is growing, palliative care can be treated by some as […]

A complex web of state regulations and reimbursement systems can challenge pediatric palliative care access for seriously ill children and their families. The nation’s fragmented health care system lacks clear guidance when it comes to navigating chronic, complex conditions in children, adolescents and young adults, according to Jonathan Cottor, CEO and founder of the National […]

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has outlined the range of services that will be available to patients aligned with the agency’s Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) payment model. The payment model is designed to improve quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers by addressing care coordination, behavioral health […]