Literature Review
CMS clarifies physician referral authority, tightens attestation requirements in proposed hospice rule
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMCMS clarifies physician referral authority, tightens attestation requirements in proposed hospice ruleInside Health Policy; by Jalen Brown; 4/11/25... The proposed rule would explicitly allow the physician member of the hospice interdisciplinary group (IDG) to recommend patients for hospice care, addressing a gap in current regulations over which physicians have that authority. While CMS already lets IDG physicians certify that a patient is terminally ill and eligible for hospice, the existing admission rules only name the hospice medical director or physician designee as authorized to recommend admission. CMS also wants to strengthen documentation requirements for hospice recertification, ... Starting at day 180 and every 60 days thereafter, Medicare requires a hospice physician or nurse practitioner (NP) to conduct a face-to-face visit with the patient before recertifying eligibility. After the visit, the clinician must provide a written attestation confirming that the visit occurred and was used to assess whether the patient still qualifies for hospice care. Under CMS' proposal, that attestation would also need to include the clinician's signature and the date signed, submitted as a clearly labeled section or addendum to the recertification form.
CMS halts spending for nonmedical in-home Medicaid services, likely affecting providers
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMCMS halts spending for nonmedical in-home Medicaid services, likely affecting providers McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 4/13/25 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told states last week that it would not approve future federal matching funds for designated state health programs (DSHPs) and designated state investment programs (DSIPs). These programs are widely used to help Medicaid beneficiaries remain at home and in their communities.
The future of management is hybrid: Leading human-AI teams in a new era of work
04/16/25 at 02:00 AMThe future of management is hybrid: Leading human-AI teams in a new era of work Holtz Communication + Technology; by Shel Holtz; 4/12/25 ... Consider healthcare, where an AI agent will draft post-visit follow-up patient care plans, schedule check-ins, send reminders, and flag unusual symptoms in post-visit surveys for review. The human nurse practitioner will review and personalize the follow-up plan, contact patients in need of emotional support or clarification, and make clinical decisions about concerns the AI has flagged. ... Healthcare managers will have to align clinical protocols with AI-generated outputs, ensure HIPAA compliance (in the U.S.), and train staff to interpret and override AI recommendations when necessary. ... With less busy work, managers should be able to to focus on those aspects of managing that require a human touch, shifting to leading and mentoring, employing soft skills over hard skills, as shown in this chart: [Management Task/Skill | AI-AGents - Strength | Human Managers - Strength]
The power of film to change medical culture: A Q&A with a physician-filmmaker about her latest documentary
04/16/25 at 02:00 AMThe power of film to change medical culture: A Q&A with a physician-filmmaker about her latest documentary MedPage Today; by Genevieve Friedman; 4/15/25... We spoke with Jessica Zitter, MD, a critical care and palliative care physician in California, about shifting her career beyond clinical medicine and into the world of film-making. Zitter has produced three documentaries that use storytelling to inspire healthcare providers to connect to their work with purpose, community, and compassion, and in 2022, she founded the production company Reel Medicine Media. Her latest documentary, "The Chaplain & The Doctor," explores her relationship with Betty Clark, a chaplain on Zitter's palliative care team, and the value that can grow from an unlikely partnership.
Hospitalists in a bind when cancer prognosis hasn’t sunk in
04/16/25 at 02:00 AMHospitalists in a bind when cancer prognosis hasn’t sunk inMedscape; by Jake Remaly; 4/15/25 When a patient with cancer is admitted to the hospital, the reason might not be related to the malignancy. But the hospitalist in charge sometimes becomes aware of a major disconnect: The patient, who they just met, does not grasp the severity of their cancer prognosis. On the one hand, the hospital medicine team and patient have advance directives and goals of care to consider, which may steer the course of the hospitalization and any use of hospice. The cancer prognosis — the patient might only have months to live, for example — could be a key component of those conversations. On the other hand, explaining the cancer situation should fall to the oncologist, right? ...
Health systems spend millions to reduce workplace violence
04/15/25 at 03:10 AMHealth systems spend millions to reduce workplace violence Modern Healthcare; by Caroline Hudson; 4/14/25 Health systems are spending millions of dollars ramping up security measures at their facilities to protect patients and staff. Many systems are hiring more officers, implementing weapons detection screenings and updating communication protocols. Executives said these efforts are a response to an uptick in workplace violence over the past several years, ranging from assaults on staff members to sexually aggressive comments and shootings. ... [A] 2022 report from the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing said workplace violence costs the U.S. approximately $151 billion per year, with most incidents occurring in healthcare and social services.
ECHO Health gifts $5 million to Quality of Life Campaign; Center for Community Engagement to be name
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMECHO Health gifts $5 million to Quality of Life Campaign; Center for Community Engagement to be name Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH; Press Release; 4/10/25 Hospice of the Western Reserve has received a historic $5 million gift to its Quality of Life capital campaign from ECHO Health, the Westlake-based company founded by the late Bill Davis. This transformative contribution, the largest single gift in the organization’s history, will accelerate the completion of its new Hospice Care & Community Center on Cleveland’s Lake Erie shore. ... In recognition of this gift, the facility’s Center for Community Engagement will be named in honor of Bill Davis.
One of Deserae Turner’s last wishes comes true as family, friends hold small horse show in her honor
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMOne of Deserae Turner’s last wishes comes true as family, friends hold small horse show in her honor ABC-4 KTVX, Cache Valley, UT; by Trevor Myers; 4/12/25 For six years, Deserae Turner rode horses and competed in shows alongside her siblings. In 2017, things changed after Deserae was shot in the head and began her journey of recovery. ... Deserae and her family had not been to another horse show since she was shot — that is, until Saturday, April 12. After a recent health complication, Deserae decided to enter hospice care, and one of her last wishes was to ride a horse and see a horse show again.
Closing the gap in end-of life care coverage: The role of nonprofits in policy advocacy
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMClosing the gap in end-of life care coverage: The role of nonprofits in policy advocacy Forbes; by James Dismond; 4/14/25... As the demand for end-of-life care grows, so will the gap between the care that patients need and what they receive. ... Workforce shortages, restrictive regulations, outdated reimbursement models and misconceptions around hospice services are keeping millions of Americans from accessing quality hospice and palliative care services. ... These barriers disproportionately affect low-income families, rural communities and communities of color. ... Unlike for-profit entities, we can prioritize community needs over shareholders. We can prioritize patient well-being over profits—or, to say it more directly, we put people over profits. And I’ve seen firsthand how advocacy can drive progress. Nonprofits must engage in:
CMS Refocuses on its Core Mission and Preserving the State-Federal Medicaid Partnership
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMCMS Refocuses on its Core Mission and Preserving the State-Federal Medicaid PartnershipCMS press release; 4/11/25The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to preserve the core mission of the Medicaid program by putting an end to spending that duplicates resources available through other federal and state programs or isn’t directly tied to healthcare services. Mounting expenditures, such as covering housekeeping for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid or high-speed internet for rural healthcare providers, distracts from the core mission of Medicaid, and in some instances, serves as an overly-creative financing mechanism to skirt state budget responsibilities.
Brain activity before death: Do we see our lives flash?
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMBrain activity before death: Do we see our lives flash? Time.News; interview with Dr. Eleanor Vance; 4/12/25 What flashes through our minds in the final moments of life? Could it be an intense reel of our most cherished memories or a profound sense of calm? Recent studies suggest that the brain may not simply shut down at death; instead, it could be engaged in a powerful replay of life’s most significant moments, offering a glimpse into the mysteries of consciousness and the human experience.
DOJ’s lawsuit against Amedisys, UnitedHealth Group set for mediation
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMDOJ’s lawsuit against Amedisys, UnitedHealth Group set for mediation Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/14/25 The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit against Amedisys Inc. (NASDAQ: AMED) and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) will go to mediation on Aug. 18. The DOJ sued the two companies starting in November of last year to block the UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum from acquiring Amedisys due to antitrust concerns. The case will now go to a mediation conference before a magistrate judge. ... DOJ’s chief concern is that the combination of the two companies would dampen competition in the hospice and home health space. Should the transaction proceed, Optum would control 30% or more of the home health or hospice services in eight states, according to the complaint.
Today's Encouragement: It's April 15, tax day ...
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMIt's April 15, tax day. The federal tax code is over 74,000 pages long. But stick with it because after page 72,000, it gets really good. ~ Conan O'Brien
How ACOs think CMS should change the rules for value-based care
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMHow ACOs think CMS should change the rules for value-based careModern Healthcare; by Bridget Early; 4/11/25Providers participating in accountable care organizations and other value-based payment arrangements with Medicare have a wish list for the new team running the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services... These are three top priorities for value-based care program participants in 2025:
Why AI demands a new breed of leaders
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMWhy AI demands a new breed of leadersMIT Sloan Management Review; by Faisal Hoque, Thomas H. Davenport, Erik Nelson; 4/9/25Artificial intelligence is changing how humans and machines work together. But most organizations still focus on the technical aspect of AI implementation because their leadership structure does too. Companies need a new role, the chief innovation and transformation officer, to manage the profound cultural and organizational changes AI adoption brings. Here’s why forward-thinking organizations already have or plan to hire such leaders.
Community Catalyst leads national response against new rule that threatens health care access
04/15/25 at 03:00 AMCommunity Catalyst leads national response against new rule that threatens health care access Community Catalyst, Boston, MA; by Jack Cardinal; 4/11/25 Today, Community Catalyst organized hundreds of local, state and national partners to submit comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opposing a new proposed rule from the Trump administration that would make it harder and more expensive for people to buy their own insurance on Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces and increase their medical debt. ... The administration’s own estimates suggest that as many as 2 million people will lose their coverage under this proposal, ...
Lonely planet: How the world is fighting social isolation
04/15/25 at 02:00 AMLonely planet: How the world is fighting social isolation Medscape Medical News; by Deborah Brauser; 3/25/25 Loneliness/social isolation isn’t just a transient emotion or situation, it’s turned into a global crisis with serious public health consequences. In 2023, then–US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, sounded the alarm, declaring loneliness an epidemic and citing seminal research equating its harmful effects to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The numbers tell a stark story: Recent research has linked chronic loneliness to depression, dementia, and even early death.Editor's note: Pair this with our recent post, Risk factors for and health status of socially isolated adults.
Karen Rubel of Nathan Adelson Hospice announces transition to President of Chapters Health West; Lori Townsend named as new Executive Director of the Las Vegas-based nonprofit hospice
04/15/25 at 02:00 AMKaren Rubel of Nathan Adelson Hospice announces transition to President of Chapters Health West; Lori Townsend named as new Executive Director of the Las Vegas-based nonprofit hospice Nevada Business; by Nathan Adelson Hospice; 4/11/25 Nathan Adelson Hospice, the leader in hospice and palliative care in southern Nevada, and its Board of Trustees announced today that President and CEO Karen Rubel has transitioned to become President of Chapters Health West, a newly launched division of Chapters Health System. As her new role gets underway, Nathan Adelson Hospice’s current Chief Nursing Officer Lori Townsend has been promoted to Executive Director of Nathan Adelson Hospice.
National Alliance for Care at Home responds to the FY 2026 Hospice Proposed Rule
04/15/25 at 02:00 AMNational Alliance for Care at Home responds to the FY 2026 Hospice Proposed Rule National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandira, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/11/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) issued the following statement [Fri 4/11] in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Hospice Wage Index proposed rule, which proposes payment and regulatory updates under the Medicare hospice benefit. The proposed 2.4% payment update fails to adequately address the mounting financial pressures facing hospices nationwide. With escalating operational costs driven by inflation, workforce shortages, and rising expenses for supplies and services, the proposed payment increase would threaten the ability of hospices to sustainably provide quality end-of-life care. “The proposed payment update for FY 2026 falls short of what is needed to sustain high-quality hospice care,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO of the Alliance. “Without meaningful adjustments, hospices across the country will face serious challenges—jeopardizing access to care for terminally ill patients and placing added strain on families already facing the unimaginable. ..."
CMS drops 5 proposed payment rules for 2026: 25 things to know
04/15/25 at 02:00 AMCMS drops 5 proposed payment rules for 2026: 25 things to knowBecker's Hospital Review; by Alan Condon; 4/11/25 CMS has released proposed payment rules for inpatient and long-term care hospitals, hospices and inpatient rehabilitation, psychiatric and skilled nursing facilities in fiscal year 2026. Twenty-five things to know: ...
Ahead of National Healthcare Decisions Day, aging and hospice expert urges Americans to commit to vital advance care and end-of-life conversations
04/14/25 at 03:00 AMAhead of National Healthcare Decisions Day, aging and hospice expert urges Americans to commit to vital advance care and end-of-life conversationsNational Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) press release; by Tom Koutsoumpas; 4/10/25With National Healthcare Decisions Day next Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is marking the occasion by encouraging Americans to use the day as an opportunity to have conversations with family or loved ones about steps they have—or have not—taken regarding their advance care and end-of-life plans. To help with conversations and prepare individuals to have the most effective discussion with their loved ones about these difficult topics, NPHI is also releasing its Five Point Guide below to show everyday Americans on how to have advance care planning conversations. [Points include:]
ELNEC: Founded so that no nurse feels at a loss at the bedside
04/14/25 at 03:00 AMELNEC: Founded so that no nurse feels at a loss at the bedsideIAHPC; by Judith Paice; 4/10/25Imagine being a nurse at the bedside of a patient with serious illness and feeling very unprepared to deliver quality palliative care. Although improving, professional education continues to emphasize technology and curative procedures, with less information presented about the care needed for those with advanced disease. Through the vision of Dr. Betty Ferrell more than 25 years ago, the End-of-Life Nursing Consortium (ELNEC) was established to meet this need.
2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D rate announcement
04/14/25 at 03:00 AM2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D rate announcementCMS press release; 4/7/25Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (the CY 2026 Rate Announcement)... The final policies in the CY 2026 Rate Announcement are projected to result in an increase of 5.06%, or over $25 billion, in MA payments to plans in CY 2026.
Three things Florida’s family caregivers need right now
04/14/25 at 03:00 AMThree things Florida’s family caregivers need right nowTampa Bay Times; by Marvell Adams, Jr.; 4/9/25With Florida having one of the highest senior populations, there is a critical need for comprehensive hospice care. Caring for a loved one with a serious illness is one of the most difficult experiences a family faces. In today’s complex healthcare environment, several key factors can help alleviate the burden of caring for loved ones at home.
Dr. Oz outlines vision for CMS: 8 notes
04/14/25 at 03:00 AMDr. Oz outlines vision for CMS: 8 notesBecker's Hospital Review; by Jakob Emerson; 4/10/25CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, said April 10 that his vision for the agency includes a commitment to President Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda and modernizing Medicare, Medicaid and the ACA marketplace. Eight notes: