The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has called for a 6.4% aggregate cut to home health payments for 2026 in a proposed rule released on Monday. The total reductions amount to $1.135 billion. The proposed payment changes break down into a 224% increase in home health payments. This is offset by a 3.7% […]
AccentCare
As a new generation of hospice leaders rises to the forefront, hospices must carefully plan and execute CEO onboarding, which can be a complex process. Bringing on a new chief executive requires strong involvement from an organization’s board, a commitment to transparency and the ability to connect with frontline staff and fellow leaders, according to […]
A few hospice executives have recently announced their retirement as new leaders step forward at a number of organizations. Addus president, COO retires Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) President and COO Brad Bickham recently announced his retirement, effective March 2026. Bickman has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth during his eight-year tenure, according […]
AccentCare is primed for further hospice growth, with both health system joint ventures and de novo activity as twin cornerstones of its strategy. Dallas-headquartered AccentCare provides hospice, home health, personal and palliative care across 32 states and in the District of Columbia. The company has an average annual census of more than 200,000 patients. AccentCare […]
Improved patient and staff satisfaction are among the most significant returns on investment for hospices that are pouring greater resources into trauma-informed training. The ability to build a trusting relationship with patients and their families is a key skill set for any hospice professional to possess, but one that takes on a profoundly different meaning […]
A number of hospices across the country have expanded their footprints or launched new facilities. AccentCare Unveils Florida De Novo AccentCare is expanding its presence in Florida with the launch of a de novo in the Miami area. Patients at the new 30,000-square-foot facility will have access to 24/7 general inpatient hospice care. The center’s […]
The AIDS epidemic coincided with the birth of the hospice movement roughly four decades ago, carrying groundbreaking impacts on end-of-life care delivery for LGBTQ+ communities and beyond. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals were among the most severely impacted by the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s. LGBTQ+ communities died at higher rates from 1980 to […]
Hospice staff training models with culturally appropriate LGBTQ+ components are key to improving quality outcomes among an increasingly diverse base of underserved seniors. Ongoing staff education and communication skill building are two significant pieces of bridging gaps of hospice care among LGBTQ+ seniors, according to Jerry Farmer, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at […]
AccentCare’s augmented reality (AR) hospice program has led to improved patient satisfaction and symptom management, along with benefits for staff. Augmented reality experiences can have spiritual and emotional impacts on terminally ill patients, as well as help alleviate anxiety, isolation. It can also help manage pain and other symptoms, according to Allison Ostashen, senior clinical […]
In case you missed it, Hospice News has launched a new specialty publication for palliative care professionals. You can subscribe to Palliative Care News here: Subscribe today! Providing education and fostering health literacy among the seriously ill, their families and surrogate decision makers is crucial to ensuring a positive patient experience in hospice care. This according to […]