Coalition ‘Strongly Urges’ Congress to Immortalize Hospice Telehealth Flexibilities

A coalition of hospice, home health and palliative care organizations has called on Congress to extend temporary telehealth flexibilities implemented during the pandemic. Doing so would help ensure continued access to quality care among vulnerable patient populations, according to the organizations. A group of 39 organizations recently penned a letter urging congressional leaders to reconsider […]

BrightSpring Completes Haven Hospice Acquisition

BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ: BTSG) has completed its acquisition of the Florida-based nonprofit Haven Hospice for $60 million. The transaction includes the purchase of two brands, North Central Florida Hospice Inc. and Haven Medical Group LLC. BrightSpring anticipates that Haven will grow into a $15 million EBITDA business, CEO Jon Rousseau indicated in a second […]

How the Hospice CARE Act Could Change Respite Services

The Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act, if enacted, would make changes to the ways hospices provide respite care. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is in the process of drafting the bill that would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. The legislation is currently in a discussion […]

Hospice Community Responds to CMS 2025 Hospice Rule

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Tuesday finalized its 2025 hospice payment rule, but some say that the base rate increase is insufficient in today’s environment. CMS approved a 2.9% raise in per diem hospice payments, which is higher than the 2.6% the agency initially proposed. Stakeholders in the space contend […]

NAHC President Bill Dombi: Hospices in for a ‘Bumpy Ride to New Era’

The Medicare Hospice Benefit is ripe for change nearly four decades after its establishment, but moving the needle will include a heavy lift around evolving regulations. This is according to Bill Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC). The hospice industry is undergoing tremendous changes amid rising demand and increased […]

‘Jury Is Out’ on Hospice CARE Act’s Proposed Payment Reforms

The hospice community is contributing input to the development of the forthcoming Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is in the process of drafting the bill that, if enacted, would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. The legislation is currently in a […]

‘Normalizing’ Trauma-Informed Hospice Care Delivery

Stakeholders and advocacy organizations recently collaborated to develop stronger trauma-informed care delivery guidelines that help hospices better address violence, abuse and neglect among serious and terminally ill populations. The global anti-violence advocacy organization NO MORE in concert with the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) recently unveiled a resource guide to help strengthen […]

BrightSpring Acquires Nonprofit Haven Hospice

BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ: BTSG) has penned a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Haven Hospice in a $60 million deal. The transaction includes the purchase  of two brands, North Central Florida Hospice Inc. and Haven Medical Group LLC. The nonprofit holds hospice certificates of need (CON) for hospice care in 18 Florida counties.  […]

[UPDATED] Rep. Earl Blumenauer Plans Landmark Hospice Reform Bill

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is drafting a landmark bill that, if enacted, would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. Blumenauer announced the bill, the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act, on Thursday at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C. Though the bill language is […]

NPHI: Increase Scrutiny of PE Hospice Transactions

Federal regulators should increase scrutiny of private equity activity in the hospice space, according to the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI). NPHI is a membership organization comprising more than 100 nonprofit, community-integrated hospice and palliative care providers from 38 states and the District of Columbia. The organization recently submitted comments in response to a […]