Though older Asian-American adults may be less likely to discuss pain and symptom management needs with their health care professionals, they may be more receptive to the psychosocial support included in hospice and palliative care, according to recent research from VITAS’ Healthcare. About 63% of Asians indicated that they would want to receive emotional support […]
Chemed Corp.
Investments in their workforce have spurred VITAS Healthcare forward on the road to pre-pandemic financial and clinical performance. Like many providers, VITAS has traversed some rough terrain since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. A rash of industry-wide headwinds compressed margins and depressed revenue, including spiking supply and labor costs, reduced referrals and length of […]
Recent data may give hospice providers deeper insight around the driving forces of nursing shortages. Hospices may see a mass exodus of registered nurses in coming years, particularly younger, newer and less experienced nurses experiencing pandemic-related burnout, according to an analysis from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Nearly 900,000 of the […]
As health care has changed, so has the role of hospices’ financial leadership. Hospice CFOs have had to retool during the past few years due to the influence of the pandemic, growing technology investments and the need to do more with less amid widespread inflation and labor pressures. These dynamics have forced many CFOs to […]
A majority of people in the United States know the types of end-of-life care they wish to receive, but only 22% have documented their wishes. Significant variations in advance care planning utilization also exist among racial and ethnic groups. About 25% of those who have documented their wishes are white. African Americans represented 22%, Hispanics […]
The 2024 proposed hospice rule from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) signals the agency’s earliest response to widespread calls to bolster program integrity within the benefit. In additional to a 2.8% hike in the per diem base rate, the proposal includes new requirements around who can certify patients, health equity initiatives, […]
Hospices are working to strike a harmonious chord between increased demand for inpatient care and the workforce resources to support it. Some hospice providers have seen a rise in demand for inpatient care. While a number have been able to expand to address this need, others have had to shutter their inpatient programs due to […]
When it comes to labor, hospice providers are walking a balance beam between the need to increase capacity and the long-term sustainability of offering bonuses, tech investments and larger benefits packages. Publicly traded hospice providers have reported improvements on turnover and workforce shortages. But the strides have come at a cost. While the public companies […]
VITAS Healthcare, a subsidiary of Chemed Corp. (NYSE: CHEM), has expanded one of its inpatient hospice units in Florida. VITAS’ new hospice facility at Broward Health Coral Springs features 12 patient beds, a kitchen and a family room. The facility replaces a temporary unit with eight inpatient beds that VITAS began operating at the hospital […]
Chemed Corp. (NYSE: CHE) VITAS Healthcare has appointed Alexander Fernandez as its CFO and executive vice president (EVP). Fernandez oversees the Florida-based hospice company’s finances, investor relations and accounting functions. He will also help to drive VITAS’ growth, accelerate positive financial trends and ensure compliance. Fernandez joins the company at a crucial point in its […]