Literature Review
Podcast: Melissa Aldridge on Private Equity Acquisitions of hospices
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMPodcast: Melissa Aldridge on Private Equity Acquisitions Of HospicesHealth Affairs; 9/24/24Health Affairs' Editor-in-Chief Alan Weil interviews Melissa Aldridge of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and James J. Peters Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center about her recent paper exploring the increasing trend of private equity acquisitions of hospices and how ownership structures still remain complex and opaque.
New coalition launches to advance palliative cancer care
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMNew coalition launches to advance palliative cancer care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/30/24 A new organization, Together for Supportive Cancer Care, launched Monday with a mission to expand access to palliative care among cancer patients. A charitable group, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, convened more than 40 member organizations, including health care providers, pharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy groups, public policy experts, employers and insurers, among others. “For decades, leaders around our country have worked to show the promise and impact of supportive care programs for people living with cancer, their caregivers and their loved ones,” said Audrey Haberman, the foundation’s CEO, in a statement. “The launch of Together for Supportive Cancer Care builds on this work and is an important step toward creating a health care system where early and ongoing access to supportive care is not a privilege, but a fundamental part of the cancer journey for everyone.”
BREAKING NEWS - Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMBREAKING NEWS 10/1/2024, 12:30pm - Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction Federal Register - The Daily Journal of the United States Government; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); 10/1/24 This document corrects technical and typographical errors in the final rule that appeared in the August 6, 2024 Federal Register titled “Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, Hospice Conditions of Participation Updates, and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements”.I. Background: In FR Doc. 2024-16910 of August 6, 2024 (89 FR 64202), there were a number of technical and typographical errors that are identified and corrected in this correcting document. The provisions in this correction document are effective as if they had been included in the final rule that appeared in the August 6, 2024 Federal Register . Accordingly, the corrections are effective October 1, 2024.II. Summary of Errors: ...Given these errors, we are republishing the FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index file accordingly on the CMS website at: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-for-service-providers/hospice/hospice-wage-index effective October 1, 2024.
[Florida] 12,200 miles of roads cleared as thousands contribute to recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene
10/01/24 at 03:00 AM[Florida] 12,200 miles of roads cleared as thousands contribute to recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene CBS-10 Tampa Bay, FL; by Haley Williams; 9/28/24 As damage assessments continued after Hurricane Helene slammed the Florida coast, thousands of state officials and law enforcement officers quickly began working to clear roads and check in with storm victims in rural areas. More than 12,000 miles of roads have been cleared by more than 800 Florida Department of Transportation crews. ... The Agency for Health Care Administration reports more than a hundred healthcare facilities have been evacuated or are running solely on generator power. Saturday morning, 55 healthcare facilities reported evacuations, which included:
Hospice provider to relocate HQ on Milwaukee’s far northwest side
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMHospice provider to relocate HQ on Milwaukee’s far northwest side BizTimes - Milwaukee, WI; by Hunter Turpin; 9/26/24 Milwaukee-based Horizon Home Care & Hospice will move its headquarters to occupy about 31,500 square feet at Park Place Business Park on Milwaukee’s far northwest side.
10 vital skills to future-proof healthcare leaders
10/01/24 at 03:00 AM10 vital skills to future-proof healthcare leaders Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 9/30/24 The most successful healthcare leaders in the next two years will leave the traditional organizational structures and models in the past in favor of extreme nimbleness, stronger soft skills and optimization of digital technology. Becker's Healthcare connected with 77 leaders from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. who shared the qualities and skill sets that will become more important in the next few years. Here are 10 areas of focus:
How 300 terminally ill couples had their ‘perfect’ weddings thanks to this nonprofit (Exclusive)
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMHow 300 terminally ill couples had their ‘perfect’ weddings thanks to this nonprofit (Exclusive) People Magazine; by Johnny Dodd; 9/28/24 "We're in the business of hope," says Wish Upon a Wedding's executive director, Lacey Wicksall. On any given day, Lacey Wicksall can be found fielding phone calls from couples across the nation who are deeply in love but are running out of time. And that’s exactly why Wicksall is talking to them. As the executive director with the Chicago-based nonprofit Wish Upon a Wedding, the 43-year-old mother of two helps provide free weddings and vow renewals to couples who are facing a terminal illness or a life-altering health circumstance. “I just got off the phone with a couple a few hours ago and I still have tears in my eyes,” says Wicksall of a recent phone call, vetting a couple who were in the process of applying for one of the nonprofit’s weddings. “We were all in tears. It’s hard.” ... Since 2009, the organization has provided nearly 300 ceremonies by working with wedding industry professionals who donate everything from catered food and wedding attire to a venue, videographers and DJs. ... Before being selected for an interview by Wicksall and “wish coordinator” Megan Biehl, they verify the applicant’s health status through their physician or hospice worker, then go to work learning more about the couple and what they envision for their special day. ...
Dementia treatments frequently conflict with residents’ care goals: study
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMDementia treatments frequently conflict with residents’ care goals: study McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Jessica R. Towhey; 9/30/24 New research into nursing home care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias found that they frequently experience costly and burdensome treatments that do not align with their own care goals. Overall, though, researchers found that residents who had comfort-focused orders in their treatment plans did receive goal-concordant care but said that improvements — especially in collecting data — are needed. The study examined the electronic health records for 4,285 long-stay nursing home residents who were diagnosed with moderate to advanced ADRD. The researchers analyzed care records and treatment plans to find comfort-focused orders and other indicators that treatments aligned with residents’ own goals as their health declined. Their results were published this month in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association.
Community Crisis and Grief: Public service video and resources for hospice organizations, communities, and persons whose "normal" hospice bereavement can be disenfranchised
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMCommunity Crisis and Grief: Public service video for communities, healthcare orgs, and persons whose "normal" hospice bereavement can be amplified and/or disenfranchised Composing Life Out of Loss; by Joy Berger; originally 5/30/22 in response to Uvalde's shootings, updated 9/29/24 in response to Hurricane/Storm Helene September 29, 2024 – We send support to the many communities, families, and individuals affected by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation and loss. This public service education video defines different kinds of community crises; different groups of persons impacted with basic roles and tasks before and during a community crisis; community grief; and potential effects of community crisis/grief for persons who are already experiencing the “normal” bereavement of a loved one. Editor's note: Disclosure, I am the author/producer of this video; Composing Life Out of Loss is a sponsor for this newsletter. To immediately share with this free, public service video, click here for the link. To embed this video on your website (and thus eliminate any Composing Life branding), click here and complete this contact form. Be sure to leave a phone number for faster turnaround.
Polk County home health aide accused of sleeping on the job arrested in man’s death: ‘He was old anyway'
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMPolk County home health aide accused of sleeping on the job arrested in man’s death: ‘He was old anyway' Fox 13, Winter Haven, FL; by Fox 13 News Staff; 9/30/24 A home health aide in Polk County is being held without bond after investigators say she fell asleep, and an 86-year-old man died in her care. ... The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the victim’s family hired around the clock care from Assisting Hands, which consisted of two 12-hour shifts during the day and night. The victim had recently been hospitalized and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He was also receiving services from Good Shepherd Hospice. ... After the day shift nurse left, investigators say Taylor fell asleep on the couch in the living room, which is against company policy that states she should not have been sleeping. Deputies say Taylor woke up around 1 a.m. on August 16 and heard a thump coming from the victim’s bedroom. According to PCSO, Taylor went into the bedroom and saw the victim lying on his right side, on the floor, with his head wedged in between the nightstand and the bed. She told detectives that she tried to help him back into bed but that he told her not to touch him, so she left him on the floor and did not call anyone, including 911 or her employer, which is against company policy. ... According to the Medical Examiner, had Taylor called 911 when she first found the victim, as required by her own company’s policy, the victim would not have died. The Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s cause of death positional asphyxia with a contributory cause of pre-existing health issues.
I asked my dad to write my wedding speech after he was given 6 months to live. I'm holding on to it for my special day.
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMI asked my dad to write my wedding speech after he was given 6 months to live. I'm holding on to it for my special day. AOL.com - Insider; by Lara Rodwell; 9/29/24 ... I remember the moment my dad told me he had six months to live like it was yesterday. ... "Lar, we need to have a chat," he said, hovering beside the edge of the bed. "I've received some news. It's not good." ... Wrapped in the comforting arms of my dad, I blurted, "Dad, you're not going to walk me down the aisle one day." ... During one sleepless night, it hit me. I wanted to create a keepsake where my dad and I could write letters, share memories and process our feelings, together. I found a tatty old notebook and wrote my first letter to him. ... The very first thing I asked him at the end of the letter, ink smudged with tears, was if he could write his wedding speech for me. ... It was a hot summer's morning, the day my dad died in the care of our local hospice. He'd been there for three weeks — in a lot of pain, stabilized by a lot of morphine — surrounded by his family. .... Later that day, ... amongst pages of financial practicalities and funeral wishes, there was a folder of white envelopes addressed to each of us - his wife and four children. On the front of mine read "Lar...". On the back: "Your wedding speech." To this day, the envelope remains sealed, tucked away at the bottom of my "dad box" — along with the notebook we shared, photo albums of memories, and a collection of swimming medals he wanted me to show his grandkids one day. ...
Comfort home in Scottsville reopens after four-year hiatus
10/01/24 at 03:00 AMComfort home in Scottsville reopens after four-year hiatus NBC News 10, Rochester, NY; by Eriketa Cost; 9/27/24 A local hospice home in Scottsville re-opened, after four years of rebuilding from the inside out. You may recall how much of an effect COVID-19 had on these services. The home, Patrick Place, was unable to hold fundraisers. Dozens of volunteers stepped down out of fear for the virus, and it took time to bring them back. The emails and phone calls didn’t stop during the downtime, though, said Cissy Leblanc, secretary on the board for Patrick Place. Organizers were eager to open again, but it took hard work. Along the way, the team built a new deck and furnished the basement, adding a conference room and special area for training volunteers. These, are all projects that couldn’t have happened with someone living there, said chairman Patrick Hanley. The home opened in early September with 55 volunteers. The goal is to reach 75. ...
How to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene: Charities, organizations to support relief efforts
10/01/24 at 02:30 AMHow to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene: Charities, organizations to support relief efforts ABC News, Good Morning America; by Kelly McCarthy; 9/30/24 Hurricane Helene hit Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm with catastrophic sustained winds up to 140 mph on Thursday and traveled north, leaving widespread destruction across the Southeast. As Americans in storm-battered states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia begin to climb out of the damage from last week's storm that killed at least 120 people with hundreds more unaccounted for, charity organizations have started to rally support efforts. See below for a full list of ways to donate. After more than 4 million customers lost power across the South on Friday, more than 2 million were still without power as of Monday's publication. [Click on the title's link for the list and links.]
[Hurricane/Storm Helene] Workforce emergency support
10/01/24 at 02:00 AM[Hurricane/Storm Helene] Workforce emergency support National Hospice Foundation; website; retrieved 9/30/24 Mission of the Hospice Workforce Emergency Support fund is to support hospice workforce needs in the wake of an emergency event. Examples of support could include post-event funding for a hospice staff member’s childcare, shelter, groceries, etc., or assistance with purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). WHO CAN APPLY?
CIOs must understand change management theories, frameworks and practices
09/30/24 at 03:15 AMCIOs must understand change management theories, frameworks and practices Health IT News; by Bill Siwicki; 9/27/24 [Part 2 of 2] Change management is a very important subject today in health IT as more and more new and amazing technologies make their way into the delivery of healthcare. (Hello, artificial intelligence.) Robert Slepin knows quite a bit about change management. He is an emeritus CIO advisor at EHR kingpin Epic. There, he constantly is helping CIOs across the country change their health IT setups. ... Question: What would you say are the important components of a change management initiative? What must CIOs be doing? Answer: There are several key areas to consider, starting with:
Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model Calendar Year 2025 Model Participation
09/30/24 at 03:10 AMMedicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model Calendar Year 2025 Model Participation CMS Newsroom; Fact Sheet; 9/27/24 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 participants in the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model. As part of the VBID Model, MA plans offer additional supplemental benefits and/or reduced cost sharing (in some cases to zero). MA plans participating in the VBID Model may also use reward and incentive programs. ... For CY 2025, the VBID Model has 62 participating Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) testing the model in 48 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico through 967 plan benefit packages (PBPs). All 62 participating MAOs prepared Health Equity Plans on how they will address potential inequities and disparities in access, outcomes, and/or enrollee experience of care as it relates to their participation in the VBID Model.
Visible, active leadership is vital to change management, says Epic emeritus CIO advisor
09/30/24 at 03:10 AMVisible, active leadership is vital to change management, says Epic emeritus CIO advisor Healthcare IT News; by Bill Siwicki; 9/26/24 [Part 1 of 2] Lost amidst talk of all the amazing technologies used in healthcare today is a subject very important to Robert Slepin: change management. ... Clinical workforce shortages and burnout, increasing costs and decreasing reimbursement, and capacity to care for patients with behavioral health/addiction issues – these are among the top issues confronting U.S. hospitals, according to the American College of Healthcare Executives. ... While there is no magic wand to accelerate progress, in my experience you can significantly improve the outcomes in a healthcare transformation initiative with an intentional focus and disciplined approach to change management. Conversely, not being thoughtful and effective in leading change could hinder your efforts or adversely impact the outcomes, and even possibly spell disaster. ... Visible, active leadership is vital. ... A hands-off approach of issuing orders from the corner office and asking others to "let me know when it's done" won't cut it. ... Besides being visible and hands-on, the best leaders I have worked with demonstrate a positive style; for example, they are authentic, coaching, transformational, engaging and compassionate. They remove fear and build trust, and inspire, educate, coach and support people in moving together toward a common, stretch goal. ...
Awards and Recognitions: September 2024
09/30/24 at 03:05 AMAwards and Recognitions: September 2024 We congratulate these honorees and celebrate their contributions to our collective hospice and palliative care mission, vision, and compassionate care throughout our world. Do you know any of these leaders? We encourage you to forward this to them or to find another way to celebrate their success.
Community partnership helps Veterans navigate their health care
09/30/24 at 03:00 AMCommunity partnership helps Veterans navigate their health care U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC; by Dr. Chien Chen; 9/27/24 VA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) helps create and manage partnerships between VA and community organizations. The goal is simple: bring together VA and those in the community who share the same goals and mission when it comes to providing Veterans with outstanding health care and support. They are called Veteran Community Partnerships, or VCPs. “Developing and nurturing strong partnerships with VA and community providers is crucial to supporting Veteran health care,” said Dr. Jamie Davis, HAP health system specialist. “VCPs are instrumental in ensuring these partnerships enhance the health and well-being of Veterans across the country.” The East Bay VCP at Martinez VA is part of Northern California VA. Martinez VAMC and Veteran Community Partnerships focus on getting Veterans access to all available health care services.
Carter defies odds with 19-month hospice stay: Former president's experience shines light on program
09/30/24 at 03:00 AMCarter defies odds with 19-month hospice stay: Former president's experience shines light on program The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; by Shelia Poole; 9/27/24 The Rev. Tony Lowden recently visited former President Jimmy Carter at his Plains home, where he is under hospice care. Carter, who turns 100 on Tuesday, was doing “good, fantastic,” said Lowden, who has been Carter’s personal pastor for seven years. Few would have expected such news about Carter, who has been under home hospice care for roughly 19 months.Only 10% of people on Medicare who died while under hospice care were in the program for 275 days or longer in 2022, according to MedPAC, an independent agency that advises Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. Carter’s longevity while under hospice care continues to defy the odds, but that doesn’t surprise those who know his grit. ... Facts and Figures About Hospice Care:
Inside palliative care at Contessa’s Health System joint ventures
09/30/24 at 03:00 AMInside palliative care at Contessa’s Health System joint ventures Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 9/27/24 Contessa, the innovation and high-acuity arm of Amedisys Inc. has made large investments in expanding access to palliative care, particularly through joint ventures with health systems. Amedisys acquired Contessa in 2021 for $250 million. The subsidiary’s specialty is high-acuity care in the home, including hospital-at-home and skilled nursing facility-at-home programs, but in recent years it has also leaned hard into growing its palliative care business. For now, Amedisys shows no signs of slowing down on palliative care. Expanding palliative care relationships and joint venture partnerships is a priority for 2024, the Louisiana-based home health and hospice provider indicated in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this year.
89-year-old SoCal hospice patient wished he could skydive again, so his care team made it happen
09/30/24 at 03:00 AM89-year-old SoCal hospice patient wished he could skydive again, so his care team made it happen ABC-7 Los Angeles, CA; by Leticia Juarez; 9/27/24 Gary Patmor has lived a life of adventure and at 89 years old, the retired aerospace engineer is showing age doesn't mean adventures have to end. So he chose to go skydiving. "Oh, it is just fun exciting," he said. While he is a man of few words, Patmor is a man with plenty of stories he could tell. He's logged more than 1,300 jumps out of civilian, military, antique and experimental aircrafts. ... He survived 38 malfunctioning parachutes and he even doubled for Steve McQueen on film. ... His backstory has been an incredible journey he has shared with others. "He was actually also the first person to mount a Sony camera and jump out of a plane," said Jocelyn Brito, a social worker for Suncrest Hospice in Riverside where Patmor is now a patient. ... "One of the things that he wanted to do was he wanted to skydive again," said Jessica Fields with Suncrest Hospice. "So we had to make sure that we got the doctor clearance, of course, and then the skydiving company to be able to consent to that before we offered it." On Friday afternoon, Patmor boarded a plane at Sky Dive Elsinore, making him the oldest skydiver of the day. At 13,000 feet, he took a leap, strapped to an instructor and made his descent to the ground where his wife and Suncrest Hospice staff members cheered him on.
Fighting ‘phantoms’: How fraud skews competition in the hospice market
09/30/24 at 03:00 AMFighting ‘phantoms’: How fraud skews competition in the hospice market Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 9/26/24 Fraudulent operators’ marketing strategies are morphing the competitive landscape, making it difficult for legitimate hospice providers to maintain visibility among patients and families. A mounting concern is that fraudsters stepping into the hospice industry have been implementing marketing and outreach practices that at times mirror strategies utilized by quality providers, according to Jeanne Chirico, president and CEO of the Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS). This makes it difficult for referrals, patients and their families to discern the best end-of-life care option. Another significant concern is that the fraudulent actors may have deeper pockets compared to smaller or nonprofit hospices, allowing them to invest more heavily and saturate the market with their messaging.
Key national organizations for community crisis preparation, relief, and recovery
09/30/24 at 03:00 AMKey National Organizations for Community Crisis Preparation, Relief, and RecoveryList compiled for end-of-life care organizations and the public by Composing Life Out of Loss; 2022.American Red Cross Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and ReliefAmerican Trauma SocietyFEMA – Federal Emergency Management AgencyInternational Critical Incident Stress FoundationNational Association of State EMS OfficialsNational Emergency Management AssociationNational Voluntary Organizations Active in DisasterU.S. Department of Health & Human Services – The Medical Reserves CorpsU.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Trauma and Critical Care TeamsU.S. Department of Justice – Office for Victims of CrimeWorld Central KitchenWorld Health OrganizationEditor's note: Disclosure, Composing Life Out of Loss is a newsletter sponsor.
Today's Encouragement: Thirty days hath September ...
09/30/24 at 03:00 AMThirty days hath September,April June and November;All the rest have thirty-one,Excepting February alone.Which only has but twenty-eight days clearAnd twenty-nine in each leap year." ~ 1577, William Harrison