Literature Review

Part D Plans cover a larger share of Medicare Beneficiaries in rural counties Managed Healthcare Executive; by Denise Myshko; 4/25/25 Medicare beneficiaries living in more rural counties are enrolled in traditional Medicare and rely on stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs), according to recent analysis from KFF.In fact, in 27 states, at least half of Medicare Part D enrollees living in the most rural areas are enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans. This includes 8 states with 75% or more of Part D enrollees in the most rural areas in prescription drug plans (Nevada, Alaska, Massachusetts, California, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota). Nationwide, 58% of beneficiaries living in rural areas are enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans in 2025. The remainder (42%) are enrolled in Medicare Advantage drug plans (MA-PDs).

Small acts of kindness can change someone’s world MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Jake Rattner; 4/26/25 So much of the world is centered around looking out for ourselves. We get caught up in our own problems, our own routines, and sometimes, we forget to stop and think about what someone else might be going through. ... But when we step outside of our own lives, even just for a moment, we start to see the bigger picture. ... In the end, it’s the simple things that matter. A conversation, a smile, a moment of recognition—these things can change someone’s entire day, even if you don’t realize it. ... Because sometimes, the best medicine isn’t even medicine—it’s just knowing that someone cares.

Good Samaritan: Kimberly Romey brings warmth and peace to Benefis Peace Hospice NBC, Billings, MT; by Joee Taylor; 4/28/25 At Benefis Peace Hospice, Kimberly Romey is more than just a housekeeper. She is a source of comfort and care for patients and their families. Romey, who is responsible for maintaining cleanliness throughout the hospice, is known for her personal connections with patients. "My job is to take care of this place. I clean the whole building, bathrooms, patient rooms. I sit and I visit with patients. If there's something that's not health care wise that I can get them, I'll get them," Romey stated. Her dedication goes beyond her job description. "It's good to be here for people that, you know, this is their last stay, and to make them comfortable and to make them happy and to do things for them; it's very rewarding," she said. Latoya Reovan, the director of Benefis Peace Hospice, witnesses Romey's commitment daily.Editor's note: Thank you, Kimberly, Latoya, and NBC of Billings for this empowering story, with powerful teachable moments. Calling all executive leaders: Do you know the housekeepers in your hospice inpatient facilities? At a minimum, do you intentionally greet and thank them with warmth and authenticity? What hospice-oriented culture do you foster? Read more of Kimberly Romey's descriptions about her role, "Because to me, this isn't just my job. I love being here." 

Top 50 Hospice Providers report now availableHospice News - Flagship Report; 4/30/25The hospice sector has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. Once a nonprofit, volunteer-driven movement, the industry is now a landscape dominated by for-profit entities, private equity, and publicly traded companies. This shift is reshaping care delivery, reimbursement models, and the competition that exists in end-of-life care. Hospice News partnered with Hospice Analytics to rank the largest hospice chains by 2023 Medicare claims. Using proprietary data, including Medicare payments and SEC filings, the report tracks changes in ownership and acquisitions, offering a comprehensive view of the industry landscape. Dive into the data and insights to better understand the evolving dynamics of the hospice industry.Editor's note: The "top" hospice providers is based on the size of chains, not on quality scores. Hospice Analytics--partner for this project--provides quality scores for these through its National Hospice Locator. (Hospice Analytics is a sponsor for this newsletter.)

Dr. Drabek's "The Comfortologist" hits #1 bestseller, revolutionizing pain management & end-of-life care approaches Classic 96.7 FM BWZ, Yukon, OK; Press Release; 4/28/25 Dr. Steven Drabek's groundbreaking memoir, "The Comfortologist: A Physician's Empathetic Perspective on Compassion, Caring, and Pain Relief," has achieved #1 bestseller status, resonating deeply with healthcare professionals, chronic pain patients, and families navigating end-of-life care decisions. Drawing from his four-decade career and personal journey as a cancer survivor and chronic pain patient, Dr. Drabek offers readers a unique dual perspective that has earned him recognition as a "comfortologist" a term he coined to describe his approach to medicine that prioritizes patient comfort and dignity. "My experience as both physician and patient taught me that modern medicine often misses what matters most," says Dr. Drabek. "Technical expertise means little without empathy. We must treat the whole person, not just the symptoms."

Art auction raises $800,000 for Hospice of the Valley City Sun Times, Phoenix, AZ; by Lin Sue Flood; 4/29/25 What a spectacular evening showcasing community generosity at Hospice of the Valley’s 2025 art auction: Aaha! Art. Food. Wine. A record $800,000 was raised to ensure care for those in need, including $300,000 to support New Song Center for Grieving Children. This compassionate Hospice of the Valley program provides grief support to families at no cost and has brought hope and healing to more than 15,000 individuals experiencing deep loss. “We are beyond grateful for this passionate support,” said Executive Director Debbie Shumway.

Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements Federal Register - The Daily Journal of the United States Government; by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); 4/30/25This document has a comment period that ends in 61 days: June 30, 2025, This proposed rule would update the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This rule also proposes changes to the admission to hospice regulations and the hospice face-to-face attestation requirements under the certification of terminal illness regulations. This proposed rule also includes a technical correction to the regulatory text and provides updates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program requirements. Finally, this proposed rule solicits comments regarding requests for information surrounding future measure concepts for Hospice Quality Reporting Program.

NPHI opens 10th Annual Summit in Las Vegas, celebrating a decade of impact National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)m Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/29/25The 10th Annual Summit of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) officially kicks off this morning, April 29, at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. This milestone Summit, themed “A Decade of Impact,” brings together hospice and palliative care leaders from across the nation to celebrate ten years of remarkable achievements and to explore the innovative strategies that will drive the future of high-quality, community-based care. ... Key topics include advancing policy solutions to prevent fraud and abuse in hospice, harnessing artificial intelligence to improve care, exploring international hospice, elevating outreach and communications, and strengthening the quality and consistency of services across the board. During the summit, NPHI will also debut a newly developed Cancer Clinical Provider Guide—designed to help members deliver the highest standards of cancer care. ... “As we mark a decade of impact, this summit is not only a time to reflect on the extraordinary progress we’ve made, but an opportunity to be forward thinking and anticipating what comes next,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI CEO. [NPHI is a sponsor of our newsletter.]

UVM Health Network employees plant thousands of trees VB VermontBiz, South Burlington, VT; by Tim; 4/25/25 ... Each year to celebrate Earth Day, health system employees in Vermont have planted trees at their homes and in their communities to support and celebrate a healthy and vibrant environment. ... This year, that effort grew from employees at two partner hospitals -- University of Vermont Medical Center and UVM Health Network - Porter Medical Center -- to include nearly every organization in the health system:  ...  Home Health and Hospice, ... “We were thrilled to take part,” said Kristin Walsh, RN, CHWC, an employee health nurse at Home Health and Hospice and the organizer of their local effort, which distributed 150 trees and shrubs to employees. “We work tirelessly to take care of others, even in the toughest of circumstances. That’s why we wanted to share local saplings from the Intervale with employees. ..." 

April’s ending, and so is my motivation to do spring cleaning. ~ Anonymous

[Canada] Hospice placements provide nursing students new perspectives BarrieToday.com; by Marg Bruineman; 4/26/24 As Georgian College works toward having its first graduating class in its bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) degree program next year, students are moving into practical placements in health care. Among them is a new opportunity to explore opportunities in hospice and end-of-life care – a field that continues to develop to meet the needs of an aging population. ... The response from the hospice community, she says, was encouraging. Georgian now has agreements with all nine hospices in the Simcoe-Muskoka-York area that were approached, including hospices in Vaughan and Richmond Hill. The students work onsite for 72 hours over three weeks allowing them to immerse themselves into the setting.

[Australia] New cuddle bed installed at Harden Hospital to support end-of-life care Forbes Advocate; 4/20/25 Harden Hospital’s acute ward has received a new ‘cuddle bed’ thanks to the Murrumburrah-Harden Hospital Auxiliary branch, which recently funded the purchase to support patients and their families during palliative care. ... The cuddle bed was a staff-suggested purchase, designed to provide comfort and dignity in end-of-life situations. The bed can electronically expand from a standard single to a double size at the push of a button. It allows family members to lie beside their loved one during their final moments, eliminating the need to sit upright in a chair or attempt to share a single bed.