Literature Review

Choice Health at Home announces new credit facilities and the strategic acquisition of Accentra Home Health and Hospice News Channel Nebraska Southeast; Press Release; 11/6/24 Choice Health at Home (“Choice”), a leading multi-state operator of home health, hospice, private duty, and rehabilitation services providing care throughout the Southwestern US, is proud to announce the company’s most recent acquisition and newly expanded credit facilities for the future growth of the organization. On the transaction front, Choice announced its acquisition of Accentra Home Health and Hospice (“Accentra”), a multi-agency home health and hospice organization in the state of Oklahoma. The merger of Accentra with Choice’s already significant existing Oklahoma home health and hospice agencies will dramatically strengthen the company’s presence in Oklahoma and provide the infrastructure for a long-term strategic plan to cover more than 90% of the state’s urban and rural geographies.

Top News Stories of the Month Oct 2024 - TCN Podcast  TCN Talks - Teleios Collaborative Network; by Chris Comeaux; 11/6/24 In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Mark Cohen explore the latest developments in Hospice Care for September and October.  They discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene, significant legislative proposals, and current trends in mergers and acquisitions.  Emphasizing the value of trusted sources like Hospice and Palliative Care Today, they examine critical topics, including reimbursement challenges, regulatory issues, and workforce dynamics in the Hospice sector. Together, Chris and Mark address a range of pressing healthcare issues, such as supply chain disruptions, the role of technology, leadership dynamics, community health concerns, and effective communication during natural disasters.  They underscore the importance of staying informed, adapting to change, and the need for proactive leadership to navigate the complexities of today’s healthcare landscape. To further support healthcare professionals in responding to crises, Mark presents a masterclass: "Effective Communication During Natural Disasters." 

Statement from NPHI on US election results National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI); Press Release; 11/6/24On November 6th, the Associated Press declared that Donald Trump is the new president-elect of the United States. In response to this news, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) issued the following statement from Tom Koutsoumpas, our CEO: "Following the election of President-Elect Donald Trump, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) reiterates its dedication to advocating for high-quality, compassionate care for all patients and families facing serious illness. NPHI looks forward to collaborating with the incoming administration and new Congress to address critical needs in healthcare policy, expand support for advanced illness care, and work toward a stronger healthcare future for patients, families, and caregivers alike. ... [Click here to read the full statement.] ... At NPHI, we are committed to ensuring that every American has access to dignified, high-quality care. We will work with the new administration to protect and enhance the Medicare hospice benefit, expand access to high-quality care at home, and advance policy solutions that center on patient needs and community well-being."

VITAS touts significant Q3 success, projects future growth McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 10/31/24 VITAS, the home care and hospice subsidiary of Chemed, achieved robust financial results in the third quarter of 2024 and is poised for continued growth, company leadership said Wednesday during an earnings-related conference call. “We are excited about the continued strong results of VITAS,” Kevin McNamara, president and chief executive officer of Chemed, said, according to a transcript. “We are very bullish on the prospects for VITAS for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.” In the quarter ended Sept. 31, VITAS generated $53.4 million in profits, a 20.6% increase compared with the prior year quarter. Revenues rose 17.2% to $391.4 million. Chemed as a whole produced $75.7 million in net profit, a 1% increase year-over-year, behind revenues that increased nearly 7.4% to $606.1 million, according to an earnings report.

Hopeful for the hospice house Gillette News Record; by Jonathan Gallardo; 11/2/24 Last week, Campbell County Health and the Northeast Wyoming Community Health Foundation announced that they were working together to look at bringing back inpatient services to the Close to Home Hospice House. For many, I’m sure the announcement came as a surprise. The split between the two sides was so public and was drawn out over a couple of years. Bridges had seemingly been burned, never to be crossed again. But wouldn’t you know it, those bridges appear to be on the mend. In their announcements, CCH and the foundation both said they’ve been in talks about what it would take to reopen Close to Home. “Our primary focus is the well-being of our community, and we are committed to transparency as we engage in these preliminary discussions,” CCH said in a press release. 

Why home health deserts are spreading across rural states Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 11/1/24 Home health deserts are increasing at an alarming rate across some rural states as home health companies close or reduce services due to financial challenges. Home health companies in Maine, Nebraska and Minnesota say a proposed Medicare rate cut, low Medicare Advantage reimbursements and workforce shortages are forcing them to make difficult business decisions — leaving many communities with limited access or no access to post-acute care in the home. ...  Approximately 800 home health providers have closed over the past five years, according to the National Alliance for Care at Home, a trade group that represents the industry. Alliance CEO Dr. Steve Landers mostly blames a Medicare home health payment model that went into effect in 2020 for reducing Medicare reimbursements and causing financial stress for providers. “While closures are significant, we are also getting reports that providers are restricting the territory they serve as a first step to addressing their financial stresses,” Landers said in an email. “This appears to be especially concerning in rural areas where no other provider is available to step in.”

How four partnerships are advancing cutting-edge cancer care Modern Healthcare; by Caroline Hudson; 11/4/24 Top cancer treatment organizations are leaning into partnerships to take care delivery to the next level. The National Cancer Institute estimates more than 2 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2024. Healthcare leaders say collaboration among technology companies, research institutes, academic medical centers and universities allows them to combine resources and develop cutting-edge treatments more quickly — potentially at a fraction of the cost of standalone projects. ... Here’s what executives say about how four partnerships are advancing cancer care and why collaboration made the most sense for their systems.

Chicago Pacific Founders sells 20 communities valued at $725 million to Ventas McKnights Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 11/1/24 Chicago Pacific Founders sold 20 senior living communities to real estate investment trust Ventas this week, the healthcare investment firm announced Thursday [10/31]. The properties are valued at $725 million, “representing one of the most significant senior housing portfolio sales in the United States for 2024,” according to CPF. “Senior living is a core investment strategy and one we continue to grow by purchasing and establishing new institutional-quality communities, and this sale demonstrates the strength and attractiveness of this asset class,” CPF founder and Managing Partner Mary Tolan said. The 20-property portfolio includes independent living, assisted living and memory care communities located in what CPF called “strategic markets known for strong and growing demand for senior living.”

Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule Fact Sheet (CMS-1803-F) CMS Newsroom; Final Rule Fact Sheet (CMS-1803-F); 11/1/24On November 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) final rule, which updates Medicare payment policies and rates for Home Health Agencies (HHAs). This rule also updates the intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) items and services’ payment rate for CY 2025 for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers. As described further below, CMS estimates that Medicare payments to HHAs in CY 2025 would increase in the aggregate by 0.5%, or $85 million, compared to CY 2024. [Click on the title's link for more information.]

8 phrases leaders should reframe to demonstrate credibility in 2025 Forbes; by Dr. Cheryl Robinson; 11/4/24 ... The nuances of leadership communication play a pivotal role in shaping team dynamics and organizational culture. Employees are acutely attuned to the subtleties in their supervisor’s communication, using these cues to gauge trustworthiness and interpret intentions. In this context, the power of language can either reinforce a leader’s message and authority or inadvertently undermine their position. ...  As we approach 2025, aspiring and established leaders must refine their communication strategies. Elevating their linguistic toolkit can help leaders more effectively embody their potential and inspire their teams. ...

Meijer donates $10,000 in memory of longtime employee WoodTV.com, Algoma Township, MI; by Kyle Mitchell; 11/1/24 A longtime employee at the Rockford Meijer store who died earlier this year was honored Friday with a $10,000 donation made in her name. The store director presented a check to representatives of Faith Hospice in honor of Pat Julien. Julien, the mother of WOOD TV8 engineer Michael Julien, died in July following a battle with breast cancer. She worked at the Rockford Meijer for 15 years. The impact she made inspired the employees to select a charity for the store to support in her memory. ... The store selects a charity to donate to every year through the Meijer Team Gives program. This year, the employees wanted to do something in Pat Julien’s memory. The store originally planned to donate $5,000, but decided to donate the full $10,000 amount on behalf of the company, assistant store director Kurt Guarisco said. “We voted on that as a team within the store and what happened is we chose Faith Hospice,” Guarisco said. Editor's note: Click here for Faith Hospice, in Byron Center, Michigan.

PACE elderly care center opens in Murrieta [California] Patch, Murrieta, CA; by Kat Schuster; 11/1/24 Neighborhood Healthcare opened the doors to a new 20,000-square-foot medical and care center for older adults in Murrieta on Friday. It is the second Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to open in town. The new facility offers a medical team specializing in aging and chronic conditions. PACE touts itself as an alternative to nursing homes and a program for older adults to get social and medical services in their own homes and communities. Neighborhood Healthcare also offers a bilingual medical team that works with therapists, dieticians, social workers, and home care nurses "to create a customized care plan" for each patient.