Patient, Staff Satisfaction Biggest ROIs of Trauma-Informed Hospice Care

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 […]

Hospice of the Western Reserve Completes Affiliation With Hospice of North Central Ohio

Hospice of the Western Reserve has completed its affiliation with Hospice of North Central Ohio (HNCO), expanding its geographic presence in the Buckeye state. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. The two hospice providers in February announced the affiliation after signing a letter of intent to enter a Management Services Agreement. With the finalized […]

Executive Moves at UnitedHealth Group, Treasure Coast Hospice

UnitedHealth Group’s President, COO Change UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has announced the retirement of President and COO Dirk McMahon. The company has not yet named his predecessor. McMahon will step down on April 1 after more than two decades with the insurance giant reported in a recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing. He most […]

Hospice of North Central Ohio to Affiliate with Hospice of Western Reserve

The Hospice of North Central Ohio (HNCO) will affiliate with Hospice of Western Reserve, also located in the Buckeye state. Financial terms were undisclosed. The HNCO board of directors signed a letter of intent to enter into a Management Services Agreement with Western Reserve for 90 days. In the interim, a diligence process will be […]

Hospices Hustle to Staff Inpatient Units as Demand Grows

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 […]

Hospices Increasingly Invest in Environmental Sustainability

More hospices are going green, making short-term investments to cultivate long-term sustainability. While some environmental initiatives come with substantial upfront costs, providers expect to see returns through reduced energy and fuel costs, as well as recruitment and retention in some cases. Among these companies is Agrace Hospice & Supportive Care, which unveiled an initiative last […]

10 ‘Hidden Gem’ Hospice News Stories from 2022

Huge acquisitions, the labor shortage and regulation dominated the news this year, but other important trends emerged that warrant attention. Below are 10 of this year’s “hidden gem” stories that didn’t quite make our top 10 most read. These cover the innovative partnerships, new technologies, pediatric care, health equity and other key developments in the […]

Discrimination Fears Deter LGBTQ+ Patients From Advance Care Planning

Members of LGBTQ+ communities are foregoing advance care planning conversations due to fears of discrimination, recent research has found. A little more than 57% of roughly 200 sexual and gender minority adults indicated in a survey that a fear of disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity was a barricade to advance care planning, according […]

Sequestration’s Return Creating a ‘Tsunami of Pain Points’ for Hospices

The return of sequestration is adding to the financial storms brewing in hospice, as providers contend with rising costs of delivering patient care, inflation and lackluster reimbursement. Providers are increasingly concerned about their ability to sustain their businesses through choppy waters, calling on regulators to step up support. After a moratorium during the pandemic, Medicare […]

The Rise of Tech-Enabled Grief Care

A proliferating number of startups are developing tech solutions and services to support bereaved families, employing a range of business models — including partnerships with hospices. This budding industry includes a number of rapidly expanding companies of varying size and scale. Some, such as the tech firms Empathy and Betterleave, have secured millions in investor […]