Literature Review
Part 2, Latest updates from CMS Office of Minority Health: Advancing health equity in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities FY2023 year in review
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMPart 2, Latest updates from CMS Office of Minority Health: Advancing health equity in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities FY2023 year in review
Children to have a place to grieve: Shepherd’s Cove Hospice plans musical-themed activity garden at Albertville facility
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMChildren to have a place to grieve: Shepherd’s Cove Hospice plans musical-themed activity garden at Albertville facility Sand Mountain - The Reporter, by Mary Bailey; 2/6/24Shepherd’s Cove Hospice is in the beginning stages of building a space where children can grieve and cope with loss on site at their facility. The “Shepherd’s Cove Activity Garden” will be a place where children will be able to run, play and continue to be children while dealing with their emotions.
Recent hospital, health system CEO moves
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMRecent hospital, health system CEO movesBecker's Hospital Review; 2/8/24Highlights CEO moves February 1-7, 2024
Humana eyes $700M cuts amid $541M loss
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMHumana eyes $700M cuts amid $541M lossModern Healthcare, by Nona Tepper; 1/25/24Humana plans to trim $700 million in administrative expenses after recording a disappointing fourth quarter and 2023, the company announced Thursday. The health insurer warned investors last week that medical costs exceeded expectations in 2023. On Thursday, the company disclosed that expenses were $3 billion more than anticipated. Quarterly and annual earnings didn't meet projections amid rising costs and disadvantageous Medicare Advantage policies.
Concurrent Medicare hospice & curative care improves quality & reduces costs 13%
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMConcurrent Medicare hospice & curative care improves quality & reduces costs 13%
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMCMS notifies HCA Mission Hospital of immediate jeopardy status
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMCMS notifies HCA Mission Hospital of immediate jeopardy statusBecker's Clinical Leadership, by Erica Carbajal; 2/6/24CMS has sent a letter to HCA's Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., to notify leadership that the hospital is in immediate jeopardy and must take action to avert the loss of federal funding...
Concurrent Medicare hospice & curative care improves quality & reduces costs 13%
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMConcurrent Medicare hospice & curative care improves quality & reduces costs 13%Open Minds; 2/7/24Medicare beneficiaries with terminal health conditions who participated in the Medicare Care Choices Model (MCCM), received high quality care at a 13% lower cost compared to similar beneficiaries who did not receive the MCCM services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) tested this new model as an option for Medicare beneficiaries to receive supportive care services while continuing to receive services for their terminal condition.
Inside agilon health’s palliative care game plan
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMInside agilon health’s palliative care game planHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/7/24The senior care company agilon health ... will more than double the size of its palliative care program this year, with plans to leverage its robust suite of data to optimize care.
85-year-old Arizona doctor arrested for allegedly aiding in New York suicide
02/09/24 at 03:00 AM85-year-old Arizona doctor arrested for allegedly aiding in New York suicideNBC4 New York, by Jonathan Dienst; 2/6/24An 85-year-old former doctor from Arizona is facing manslaughter charges for allegedly aiding in a suicide of a woman at a New York motel last year, according to authorities.
New paths could allow medical aid in dying for people with dementia
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMNew paths could allow medical aid in dying for people with dementia McKnight's Long-Term Care News, by Kristen Fischer; 2/7/24A lot of people who have dementia want to use medical aid in dying (MAID) to end their lives before they lose their decision-making capacity and other abilities. This hasn’t been allowed up until now but that could soon change, which could have implications for physicians, according to a new report.
Palliative care reimbursement, innovation and reform
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care reimbursement, innovation and reformJD Supra - American Health Law Association, by Edo Banach; 2/7/24Sections include:
Medical assistance in dying bill draws large turnout
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMMedical assistance in dying bill draws large turnoutConcord Monitor, by Sruthi Gopalakrishnan; 2/7/24People in wheelchairs, others relying on crutches, some facing terminal illness and some caregivers packed a hearing Wednesday for a bill that would allow medically assisted dying in New Hampshire. While most of the attendees expressed support for House Bill 1283 to help those enduring pain during the final stages of life, Jonathan Eddinger, president of the state board of medicine, advocates for a shift in focus toward improving the ability to alleviate pain and suffering rather than making death an option to end such agony.
Study highlights financial burden of dementia on older adults, families
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMStudy highlights financial burden of dementia on older adults, familiesGeorgia State University - School of Public Health, by Sam Fahmy; 2/7/24A team of researchers from the Georgia State University School of Public Health, the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and the University of California San Francisco analyzed data from a national sample of more than 4,500 adults aged 70 and older to arrive at what are thought to be the first comparisons of out-of-pocket expenses by dementia status and care setting. The researchers found that the median adult with dementia in residential facilities such as assisted living centers spent 97% of their monthly income on long-term care. People with dementia in nursing homes spent nearly 83% of their monthly income on long-term care.
How Steward Health’s relationship with private equity soured
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMHow Steward Health’s relationship with private equity souredModern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 2/5/24The financial decline of Steward Health Care may serve as a cautionary tale for health systems and other providers considering private equity investment.
From “high potential for abuse” to “accepted medical use”: Tracking developments and possible outcomes of federal cannabis rescheduling in the U.S.
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMFrom “high potential for abuse” to “accepted medical use”: Tracking developments and possible outcomes of federal cannabis rescheduling in the U.S.JD Supra, by Jean Smith-Gonnell and Cole White; 2/7/24Whether you believe that cannabis legalization has occurred too quickly or too slowly, one thing is certain: recent developments herald a potentially seismic shift in federal cannabis policy in the U.S. ... This article aims to catch readers up on the latest developments in federal cannabis legalization.
Amedisys rolls out in-home testing to reduce hospitalizations
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMAmedisys rolls out in-home testing to reduce hospitalizationsModern Healthcare, by Diane Eastabrook; 2/8/24Home health provider Amedisys said Thursday it will begin offering in-home molecular testing to patients that will help quickly identify urine, respiratory and wound infection pathogens.
Medicare Advantage in the headlines: 9 recent updates
02/09/24 at 02:30 AMMedicare Advantage in the headlines: 9 recent updatesBecker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 1/30/24Challenges loom for Medicare Advantage in 2024, with payers reporting rising medical costs and lower growth expectations for the year. [Click on the title's link for] nine Medicare Advantage updates Becker's has reported since Jan. 22.
Government warns Medicare Advantage insurers not to deny care based on AI
02/09/24 at 02:00 AMGovernment warns Medicare Advantage insurers not to deny care based on AI STAT, by Casey Ross and Bob Herman; 2/7/24In recent months, the federal government has repeatedly told Medicare Advantage insurers that they cannot use artificial intelligence or algorithms to deny medical services the government routinely covers. But in finalizing a rule to that effect, it also stepped into a thicket of questions from insurers about a technology that is especially difficult to pin down: What is AI? Can it be used at all to make decisions about the coverage of older patients? If so, how?
Part 1, Latest updates from CMS Office of Minority Health: Rural-urban disparities in health care in Medicare
02/09/24 at 02:00 AMEnhancing rural and geographic health equity: Latest updates from CMS OMHCMS Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH); released 2/7/24
Joint Commission CEO talks about new sustainability program for hospitals
02/08/24 at 04:02 AMJoint Commission CEO talks about new sustainability program for hospitalsChief Healthcare Executive, by Ron Southwick; 2/5/24[The Joint Commission,] which accredits thousands of healthcare organizations on a variety of health and safety issues, has just launched a voluntary certification program on sustainability. [Dr. Jonathan] Perlin, [president and CEO], says he has heard from clinicians who pushed for a program to help hospitals do better on environmental issues. ... Undoubtedly, hospitals and health systems must improve their sustainability efforts. Each day, a hospital produces a ton of waste per every 100 beds, Perlin says.
Las Vegas conference examines the impact of 'right to die' laws
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMLas Vegas conference examines the impact of 'right to die' lawsMountain West News Bureau, by Yvette Fernandez; 2/5/24A University of Nevada Las Vegas conference [discussed] "lessons learned" from U.S. states and other countries that allow medical aid in dying. Dr. David Orentlicher is head of the UNLV Health Law Program, which held the conference on Feb. 1 and 2. He said so-called "right to die" laws in the United States have very strict requirements. ... Only 10 states and the District of Columbia allow for medical aid in dying. ... As a Nevada legislator, Orentlicher was one of the co-sponsors of the “Death with Dignity” bill, SB 239, ... said the option of having a physician present could improve state laws.
Today's Encouragement: from Alice Walker
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMTime moves slowly but passes quickly. – Alice Walker
Hospice of Western Reserve plans to merge with Hospice of North Central Ohio
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMHospice of Western Reserve plans to merge with Hospice of North Central OhioCrain's Cleveland Business, by Paige Bennett; 2/6/24Hospice of the Western Reserve, a provider of palliative and end-of-life care, caregiver support and bereavement services and one of Cleveland’s largest nonprofits, intends to merge with the Hospice of North Central Ohio.