Congressional lawmakers have reached consensus on a $1.5 trillion omnibus bill to fund the federal government. In addition to big ticket items such as additional COVID response funds and aid to Ukraine, the legislation extends temporary flexibilities for virtual care instituted during the federally declared public health emergency (PHE). When enacted, the bill will extend […]
Medicare between 2010 and 2019 paid a total $6.6 billion to non-hospice providers for services provided to hospice beneficiaries, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG). While hospices themselves do not bill Medicare for the non-hospice services, OIG recommended that CMS study […]
Although 2% sounds like a small number, it can mean financial life or death for some hospices, particularly small community-based providers. These organizations are once again waiting to see if the federal government will extend the current moratorium on Medicare sequestration, uncertain about their programs’ sustainability without such relief. Established in 2014 by the Budget […]
Hospice advocates have called on the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for chaplain services, as well as a code for telehealth visits. Four organizations sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, including the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), the […]
Regulators have placed a heightened focus on hospice in recent years, as increasing utilization has driven up health care costs. As anti-kickback and fraud cases proliferate in the industry, keeping a close eye on legal and regulatory compliance — including marketing tactics and spending — will be key for hospice providers. Improper marketing activities present a […]
The Fifth Circuit of the U. S. Court of Appeals has removed in 26 states the injunction preventing a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate from taking effect. The court ruled that the judge who imposed the stay did not have the authority to halt the mandates nationwide, but only in the 14 states that sued. U.S. […]
As with the rest of the country, many hospice providers and their employees have mixed feelings about the federal vaccine mandates. Even those who welcomed the additional layer of protection for patients and staff are fretting about the possibility of losing workers. Recent court decisions on the interim emergency regulations have further muddied the waters. […]
Wages and salaries went up for hospice workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from 3% to 6%, with admission liaisons, nurses, aides and IT staff seeing the largest increases. This according to a 2021-2022 Hospice Salary & Benefits Report from research firm Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) and the National Association of Home Care […]
A coalition of hospice and senior advocacy groups are urging Congress to extend the temporary suspension of Medicare payment sequestration that was implemented during the pandemic. The moratorium is currently set to expire on Dec. 31. The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), and LeadingAge […]
Hospices have mounting concerns that their employee ranks may thin as staff weigh vaccinations during ongoing workforce shortages, even as they strategize to keep workers, patients and families safe. In addition, some are seeing potential complexities in ensuring compliance with the new requirements. Eligible staff at health care organizations that participate in Medicare or Medicaid will […]
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