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 […]

Former AAHPM President: Telehealth Access ‘Critical’ for Hospice Patients 

The forthcoming expiration of telehealth flexibilities implemented during the pandemic could have a devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including those receiving hospice or palliative care. This is according to Dr. Holly Yang, immediate past president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). Currently, temporary federal rules allowing for greater access to telehealth […]

Hospices’ 2024 Public Policy Priorities 

Hospices have been advocating for lawmakers and regulators to take action on curbing fraud, supporting veterans and bolstering the health care workforce. A group of hospice leaders recently participated in Hospice Action Week, a lobbying event held last week by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the Hospice Action Network. In their […]

AAHPM CMO Joe Rotella: Hospice Does Not Exist to Save Money

Dr. Joe Rotella, chief medical officer of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), calls on hospices to maintain their core principles amid a churning sea of regulatory and economic changes. Rotella began his medical career as a primary care physician in a small, rural town in central New Hampshire, where he stayed […]

Assessing Caregiver Burnout for Hospice, Palliative Patients

Given the significance of family caregivers in hospice care, providers can benefit from having tools to assess whether or not they are experiencing burnout. Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. Symptoms of burnout can include depression, compassion fatigue, stress and anxiety, and apathy, both in general life and towards work […]

Physician John Mulder: Combat Misconceptions About Palliative Care

Patients, families and clinicians in other fields need a better understanding of palliative care in order to fully realize the clinical and financial benefits of those services, according to physician John Mulder, M.D. The palliative care community also needs a more substantial reimbursement structure to ensure that providers can meet rising demand and to attract […]