Literature Review
State scrutiny of UnitedHealth Group-Amedisys deal pushes timeline back further
09/20/24 at 03:00 AMState scrutiny pf UnitedHealth Group-Amedisys deal pushes timeline back further Home Health Care News; by Audrie Martin; 9/19/24 UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Amedisys is still pending. That could be due to a variety of factors, but one is clear: the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) ongoing review, which is expected to continue until at least the end of November. OHA’s Health Care Market Oversight (HCMO) program reviews health care business deals to ensure they do not harm the state’s citizens or communities. In July, both UnitedHealth Group and Amedisys submitted responses to the OHA’s request for information. The authority is still seeking public comments on this matter. In addition to the issue in Oregon, the deal has faced scrutiny from federal antitrust regulators, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
What are the Medicare respite care guidelines?
09/20/24 at 03:00 AMWhat are the Medicare respite care guidelines? Medical News Today; by Amy McLean; 9/18/24 Medicare Part A and Medicare Advantage may cover respite care as part of hospice care coverage. A person will usually need to pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for respite care. Respite care allows the carer to take a short amount of time off from caring for an individual. If the Medicare beneficiary spends this time in a medical facility, Medicare will likely cover the cost of the stay. [Click on the title's link to read on] ... to learn more about Medicare coverage for respite care, including what it means and what costs may be involved.
How Gen Z is being courted by post-acute providers
09/20/24 at 03:00 AMHow Gen Z is being courted by post-acute providers Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 9/18/24 Some post-acute care companies are revamping their recruitment playbooks to attract Generation Z workers as they battle for talent with other healthcare companies. Providers such as Good Samaritan Society, Bayada Home Health Care and Right at Home are developing strategies to recruit the demographic, which ranges in age from 12 to 27 and makes up a quarter of the U.S. population. Those organizations want to hire Gen Z because they are purpose-driven and adept at using technology, according to a 2023 study by financial services company Mercer.
Hiring manager fired for refusing to post 'ghost jobs' is now sharing how to recognize them
09/20/24 at 03:00 AMHiring manager fired for refusing to post 'ghost jobs' is now sharing how to recognize them Upworthy; by Jacalyn Wetzel; 9/18/24 There doesn't seem to be a shortage in job openings but there does seem to be an abundance of people looking for work for months without finding gainful employment. According to Ceros Whaley, a former hiring manager at an unnamed company, the problem is that unsuspecting hopeful employees are unknowingly applying for "ghost jobs." Whaley shares that part of his job as a hiring manager was to create "ghost jobs," which are simply fake job listings. He explains that these job listings were not created to find more qualified people to fill positions but to "encourage" current employees to improve their performance. Whaley says that he got into a little bit of a kerfuffle with his higher manager over the company continuing the ghost job ruse. By the time the man reached his tolerance level for posting fake jobs, he had already posted over 300 ghost jobs on sites like Indeed, Monster and other hiring sites. But Whaley shares that he found his morals and just couldn't continue the practice. ... [The] frustrated former employee … did a follow up video sharing how to spot ghost jobs and how to avoid them while you're job hunting. [Click on the title’s link to view.]
The Medicare Complaints Process
09/20/24 at 02:15 AMThe Medicare Complaints ProcessUrban Institute Research Report; by Laura Skopec, Avani Pugazhendhi, Judith Feder; 9/13/24The Medicare complaints process allows beneficiaries to file complaints or grievances about the quality of the services they receive from Medicare plans, including issues with enrollment, customer service, or the ability to use their benefits. The US Department of Health and Human Services also funds State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) to provide in-person and telephone support to beneficiaries in their local area who need help enrolling in or using their Medicare coverage, including filing complaints... To explore how the Medicare complaints process works, we held three roundtables with SHIP staff, beneficiary advocates, and provider associations to identify issues and opportunities in the Medicare complaints process and possible paths for improvement... Our roundtable participants identified three primary groups of issues with the Medicare complaints process:
Survey: Older adults unsatisfied with current healthcare system
09/20/24 at 02:00 AMSurvey: Older adults unsatisfied with current healthcare system McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Kristen Fischer; 9/17/24 Older adults aren’t too happy with the healthcare system and many think it doesn’t meet their needs and preferences, according to a new survey. The results of the survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, were published Tuesday, and were released by Age Wave and The John A. Hartford Foundation. Four in five adults aged 65 and older said that the system isn’t prepared to handle the changing needs of Americans in their age group. In total, only 11% said the US healthcare system deserved a grade of “A.” Results show that older adults want solutions such as affordable care interventions, developments to prevent or reduce cognitive decline, and healthcare professionals who understand what matters to them when they discuss care options.
NHPCO and the National Alliance for Care at Home celebrate healthcare leader and volunteer award honorees at final NHPCO Conference
09/20/24 at 02:00 AMNHPCO and the National Alliance for Care at Home celebrate healthcare leader and volunteer award honorees at final NHPCO Conference NHPCO Press Release; by Elyssa Katz; 9/19/24This week, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the new National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) honored standout members of the hospice and palliative care community during the 2024 NHPCO Annual Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado. [Click on the title's link for the full list and its descriptions.]
Family members' health can suffer when relative has cancer: Study
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMFamily members' health can suffer when relative has cancer: Study Becker's Hospital Review; by Elizabeth Gregerson; 9/13/24 Individuals are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and psychological illness after a family member is diagnosed with cancer, according to a study published Sept. 9 in Cancer. Researchers from institutions across the U.S. analyzed data of patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancer between 1990 and 2015 who had first-degree relatives or spouses, from the Utah Population Database. The cohort of 49,284 patients and 77,938 relatives was matched with a similar control group and followed up within one-, three- and five-year periods. Among patients with genitourinary cancer, their family members had a "10% increased risk of developing a psychological illness and a 28% increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease" one year after diagnosis, according to the study. "This study provides population-level evidence to support the hypothesis that cancer diagnoses will lead to adverse health outcomes for family members of patients with cancer," the study authors wrote.
Death is no enemy
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMDeath is no enemy Psychiatric Times; by Sidney Zisook, MD; 9/17/24... As mental health clinicians, we often confine our conversations about death and dying to recognizing suicide risk and preventing suicide. And for good reason. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, ... Far less attention is paid by mental health clinicians to other aspects of death and dying. But we are human, first and foremost, and coping with a host of issues related to the end of life is inextricably bound to both our professional and personal lives. Like it or not, death is part of life. We, as mental health clinicians, are not always as prepared as we would like to be to help ourselves, our loved ones, our patients, and their loved ones deal with loss, dying, death, and bereavement. For many physicians, 1 or 2 hours in medical school and perhaps another few hours during residency are all the training we receive in these complex and challenging clinical issues. ... Chochinov provides a clinician’s guide for “being with” dying patients. He offers ways of providing intensive caring to enhance empathy, respect, connectivity, and hope, and to make the experience of a dying patient more tolerable than it otherwise might be. ... I have utilized his Patient Dignity Question, which asks, “What do I need to know about you as a person to take the best care of you possible?” on several occasions with gratifying results for both the patient and me.
Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMHonoring National Hispanic Heritage Month CMS.gov - CMS Office of Minority Health Menu; for 9/15-10/15 September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the 63.7 million Hispanic people living in the United States. This month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) would like to raise awareness of the health disparities that impact Hispanic Americans and highlight efforts to reduce gaps in health care. Hispanic Americans are at greater risk of various health conditions due to a lack of preventive care and health insurance, as well as language barriers. In 2022, almost 28% of Hispanic adults didn’t have health insurance compared to Black (13.3%), White (7.4%), and Asian (7.1%) adults. Resources:
10 most, least diverse states in 2024
09/19/24 at 03:00 AM10 most, least diverse states in 2024 Becker's Hospital Review; by Erica Carbajal; 9/17/24 ... For the ranking, the financial services company compared all 50 states across six key dimensions: socio-economic diversity, cultural diversity, economic diversity, household diversity, religious diversity and political diversity. ... Here are the 10 most and least diverse states in 2024, per the ranking: Most diverse: [Starting with highest diversity] 1. California 2. Texas 3. Florida 4. New Mexico 5. Hawaii 6. Nevada 7. New Jersey 8. New York 9. Maryland 10. ArizonaLeast diverse: [Starts with lowest diversity] 1. West Virginia 2. Maine 3. New Hampshire 4. Vermont 5. Montana 6. Kentucky 7. Wyoming 8. Iowa 9. Utah 10. North Dakota
The ROI of interoperability in home health
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMThe ROI of interoperability in home health Home Health Care News; by Elizabeth Ecker; 9/16/24 Today’s home-based care organizations know there is value in interoperability among their technology vendors. Allowing for seamless data integration as well as ease-of-use for staff and clinical professionals, interoperability is an important consideration for technology decisions in today’s operating environment. But what is the true value of interoperability, and how can home-based care agencies measure their return on investment? Several leading professionals share their perspectives on how they approach ROI calculations in their organizations.
Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop reaches $1M milestone
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMBlue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop reaches $1M milestone LoudonNow.com, Leesburg, VA; by Staff Report; 9/17/24 Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop in Purcellville surpassed $1 million in sales this year, a threshold of success the organization attributes to unwavering community support. Money raised at the Main Street store supports its efforts to provide quality and compassionate care for those facing serious illness and end-of-life challenges. “Our thrift shops serve as windows into the living rooms of our community. They reflect the spirit of giving and caring that defines Loudoun County. Reaching the $1 million mark is not just a financial achievement that supports our purpose and mission-driven work; it’s a testament to the collective effort of a community that truly values and supports its neighbors,” President and CEO Jason Parsons stated.
Today's Encouragement: I hope I'll see in my lifetime ...
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMI hope I’ll see in my lifetime a growing realization that we are one world. And that no one is going to have quality of life unless we support everyone’s quality of life. ~ Dr. Helen Rodríguez-Trías
Gran comforted by cat in final moments at hospice: 'Never leaving her side'
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMGran comforted by cat in final moments at hospice: 'Never leaving her side' Newsweek; by Alice Gibbs; 9/17/24 A woman has shared the heartwarming moment her grandmother's final wish was fulfilled when hospice staff allowed her beloved cat to spend her last day with her. In a video with more than 2 million views on TikTok, Allison Kuhn shared the beautiful way her grandmother Elaine got to spend her final moments with her cat, named Baby. "I'll never stop thinking about how all my grandma wanted during her last month in hospice was her cat," Kuhn said in the video. "The same cat, who during that month started dying and was diagnosed with a 'heartbreak' from being away from grandma. Hospice let the cat stay with my grandma on her last day. The cat didn't leave that bed for 24 hours."
Private Equity's impact on hospice care: The good, the bad, and the ugly of private equity
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMPrivate Equity's impact on hospice care: The good, the bad, and the ugly of private equity TCN Talks - Teleios Collaborative Network; by Chris Comeaux; 9/18/24 In this episode, Private Equity's Impact on Hospice Care, The Good, the Bad, and Ugly of Private Equity, Chris interviews Laura Katz Olson, a professor of political science at Lehigh University. It’s a fascinating discussion based on Laura’s book Ethically Challenged. During their conversation, they delve into the impact of private equity in the healthcare industry. Private equity firms prioritize making oversized profits and have a short-term focus, often selling companies within six years, relying heavily on debt financing and putting the burden of servicing the debt on the acquired companies. Leaving a company worse than when the started is the opposite of what leadership is supposed to do for any organization, especially one with such a critical mission. Editor's note: TCN / Teleios Collaborative Network sponsors our newsletter.
Three Oaks Hospice reportedly begins sales process
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMThree Oaks Hospice reportedly begins sales process Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/16/24 Dallas-based Three Oaks Hospice has reportedly begun seeking a buyer. The private equity-backed hospice launched in 2019 with more than $21 million in investment dollars from Granite Growth Health Partners, Health Velocity Capital and Petra Capital Partners. Rumors of the potential sale were first reported by the website Ion Analytics, which indicated that Three Oaks generates between $12 million and $15 million EBITDA.
Former M&S chairman: ‘Planning for my wife’s death with her made it easier to cope’
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMFormer M&S chairman: ‘Planning for my wife’s death with her made it easier to cope’ The Telegraph; by Leah Hardy; 9/17/24 When Patricia Swannell was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer, she planned both how she wanted to die and her legacy beyond the grave. On the first anniversary of her death, Patricia’s husband Robert speaks about her “beautiful” death, how she achieved it, and how it has helped the family in their grief. [Robert Swanell tells their story with the following key themes.]
4 traps to avoid as you transition into a leadership role
09/19/24 at 03:00 AM4 traps to avoid as you transition into a leadership role Harvard Business Review; by David Lancefield; 9/17/24 Lisa came to me for help at the end of the first 90 days in her first C-suite role. She had started confidently, sharing her story, setting out her hopes for her new organization, and working hard to create some quick wins — but soon the problems started piling up: Investors were confused about the strategic direction, employees felt let down by unfulfilled promises, and customers remained unimpressed by the service they received. We reflected on what she could have done differently. ... She had fallen into four traps I’ve observed in my work with C-suite executives over the last 25 years. They divert attention from what matters and impair decision-making — just when you need to be on your A-game. Here’s what to watch out for and what to do instead.
Artists on death, grief, and cancer [Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month]
09/19/24 at 03:00 AM[Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month] Artists on death, grief, and cancer Burnaway; by Carolina Ana Drake; 9/17/24... Living in Miami and raising my toddler in this city, I’ve discovered artists who similarly lost a parent to cancer. Many, like me, happen to be the children of immigrants. Their works exemplify challenging, at times experimental, art that doesn’t fit the glitzy, market-driven Miami narrative. Through conversations and email exchanges, I learned more about how these artists transformed the darkness and grief of that period into something beautiful that is worth sharing with others. [Click on the title's link to see photos from the following exhibits.]
The Journey Home receives inaugural $20K grant from BCF
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMThe Journey Home receives inaugural $20K grant from BCF Bartlesville, OK Local News; by Nathan Thompson; 9/17/24 The Journey Home, a nonprofit and free hospice facility, has received the Tell Your Story Grant of $20,000 from the Bartlesville Community Foundation. The award was announced Tuesday during the BCF's inaugural "Celebrate Together" luncheon at the Bartlesville Community Center. The competitive grant is structured to provide $10,000 of endowment support, $5,000 in operational funding and $5,000 worth of video and social media production. The Journey Home opened its doors in January 2014 as a specialized end-of-life care facility — only the second one of its kind in Oklahoma. It is a six-bedroom home staffed with professional caregivers and trained volunteers who provide continuous personal care for terminally-ill guests.
CMS updates guidance for rural emergency hospitals: 16 things to know
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMCMS updates guidance for rural emergency hospitals: 16 things to know Becker's Hospital CFO Report; by Alan Condon; 9/17/24 CMS has updated guidance for hospitals interested in converting to a rural emergency hospital, a Medicare designation that was made available Jan. 1, 2023. REHs are a provider type established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to address concerns over rural hospital closures and provide rural facilities a potential alternative to closure. Since 2005, 106 rural hospitals have shut down, with another 86 facilities no longer providing inpatient services, according to data compiled by the University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Of those, 37 closures have occurred since 2020. Here are 16 things to know about REHs, including designation requirements, qualifying facilities, conditions of participation and how many hospitals have converted to REHs.
Waterbury nursing home residents, caregivers push back against plan to close facility
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMWaterbury nursing home residents, caregivers push back against plan to close facility NBC Waterbury, CT; by Amanda Pitts; 9/17/24 A nursing home in Waterbury could close in less than 30 days after losing its federal funding. Abbott Terrace Health Center is home to 180 people and employs 287 caregivers, who are newly unionized and pushing back against the closure. ... The funding was pulled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) after the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) found that the facility didn’t meet safety requirements. It has left residents to find a new place to live and caregivers to find a new place to work.
When should you refer patients with COPD to palliative care?
09/19/24 at 03:00 AMWhen should you refer patients with COPD to palliative care? Physician's Weekly; by Jennifer Philip; 9/17/24 Researchers identified 17 major and 30 minor criteria to guide physicians in referring their patients with COPD to specialty palliative care. ...
Final HOPE materials released
09/18/24 at 03:45 AMFinal HOPE materials releasedNAHC email; 9/17/24Hospices will begin completing the Hospice Outcome & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) on October 1, 2025. The final HOPE item sets – HOPE Admission v1.00, HOPE Update Visit (HUV) v1.00, HOPE Discharge v1.00 and HOPE ALL Item v1.00 – and accompanying HOPE Guidance Manual v1.00 were released on September 16. These documents can be accessed from the downloads section on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) HQRP HOPE webpage.[Accessing full article may require membership login.]