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All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Utilization.”
Study uncovers racial inequalities in hospice utilization, length of stay
12/13/23 at 03:38 AMStudy uncovers racial inequalities in hospice utilization, length of stayMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 12, 2023Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to use hospice services, and those who do often have shorter lengths of stay than white patients, according to a new study published in JAMA Health Forum. ... Minority patients also generally experienced shorter hospice lengths of stay. Hispanic patients in particular were more than twice as likely to stay in hospice care for seven days or less, compared to the average white Medicaid beneficiary. Still, short length of stay was relatively common across the board at about 40%, which suggests “room for improvement in referring all Medicaid recipients to hospice earlier in the course of terminal illness,” the study’s authors wrote. As to possible reasons for these disparities, the researchers noted that language barriers, mistrust of hospice programs or cultural differences might be at play. But also, the inequity might also reflect “potential racial biases that affect who a physician is more likely to refer to hospice,” according to the study. Specific, targeted efforts to encourage hospice services for Medicaid and dual-eligible beneficiaries who show low rates of utilization may help to overcome these disparities.
‘Hospice is more about living better’ transitional care director says of misunderstood program
12/13/23 at 03:28 AM‘Hospice is more about living better’ transitional care director says of misunderstood programTribune-Review (Pittsburgh, PA)December 11, 2023... There is an assumption a patient entering hospice care is not expected to live beyond six months, a guideline that is tied to Medicare coverage. But the experience of individual patients can vary widely, as evidenced by [senior living residents] the Pattersons [Robert, 97, and Joyce, 90,] and by former president Jimmy Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn. Like many who elect to receive hospice care, Rosalynn Carter entered the program toward the very end of her life—just days before her death Nov. 19, at 96. But it’s also possible for patients to beat the odds and have hospice care extended. Jimmy Carter was 98 when he entered hospice in February and continues to endure.
How the Hospice Care Index Can Help Shape an Operator’s Future
12/09/23 at 04:00 AMHow the Hospice Care Index Can Help Shape an Operator’s FutureHospice NewsDecember 7, 2023Strong performance on the Hospice Care Index is becoming increasingly essential to securing payer and referral contracts and will be a key consideration in the federal government’s forthcoming Special Focus Program. ... Health care consumers are also becoming more aware of these data. ... HCI data will be a key component of the algorithm that CMS will use to determine which hospices qualify for the SFP, coming in 2024. CMS plans to target hospices who fall within the lowest 10% of performers on a range of quality metrics and survey data.
UnitedHealth hit with Medicare Advantage marketing complaint
12/09/23 at 04:00 AMUnitedHealth hit with Medicare Advantage marketing complaintModern HealthcareDecember 7, 2023Advocates for people with disabilities are calling on regulators [to] halt what they describe as misleading Medicare Advantage marketing by UnitedHealth Group. The Center for Medicare Advocacy, National Health Law Program, Disability Rights Connecticut and National Disability Rights Network wrote the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Federal Trade Commission and other state and federal officials Thursday to protest UnitedHealthcare advertisements for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans appearing in Connecticut. The ads target people with both Medicare and Medicaid and spotlight extra benefits from Medicare Advantage plans that state and federal laws already require, the groups wrote. “Unquestionably, this misleading advertising is intended to induce, and has induced, thousands if not tens of thousands of older adults and disabled low-income individuals we are charged with representing to sign up for UnitedHealthcare’s plan, having been led to believe this means they can get extra benefits,” the letter says. UnitedHealth Group did not immediately respond to an interview request.
NPA Says House of Representatives’ Passage of Bill to Provide Veterans Additional Access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Will Improve Their Lives; Urges Swift Senate Passage
12/08/23 at 04:01 AMNPA Says House of Representatives’ Passage of Bill to Provide Veterans Additional Access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Will Improve Their Lives; Urges Swift Senate PassagePRNewswireDecember 6, 2023Washington, DC—On the second anniversary of the passing of the Honorable Bob Dole (R-KS), the National PACE Association praises the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act (H.R. 542) by a vote of 414-5, which will give veterans increased access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly across the nation. We urge the Senate to pass this bill soon so more veterans can enjoy the highest quality of life possible as they age by receiving any care needed at home or in the community. The legislation would establish formal partnerships between Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and nearby Veterans Affairs Medical Centers located within their geographic service areas. This policy change would broadly increase access for veterans to the innovative PACE model of care so they may continue to live at home, despite needing a nursing home level of care.
Shifting focus to MA will alter ‘life as we know it’ for home care providers, experts say
12/08/23 at 04:00 AMShifting focus to MA will alter ‘life as we know it’ for home care providers, experts sayMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 7, 2023Medicare Advantage is disrupting the traditional home care landscape, experts from the Research Institute for Home Care said in a webinar hosted Wednesday afternoon by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. As MA continues to dominate Medicare and cover those beneficiaries receiving home health, certain trends—such as access issues or shifting utilization rates for services within traditional Medicare—have become more pronounced. “Medicare Advantage is growing, and that’s going to result in a decreased volume in home health claims among traditional Medicare beneficiaries,” Elizabeth Hamlett, senior research associate for evaluation and health economics at KNG Health, said during the webinar about the recently released 2023 RIHC [Research Industry for Home Care] Chartbook. Home health users in general also may become more reflective of the characteristics of MA beneficiaries—which essentially means sicker and poorer, she said. ... However, MA and fee-for-service beneficiaries showed greater variation in their reported access to home health services. “What we’re seeing here is potentially an access problem for Medicare Advantage users,” Hamlett said.
Here’s why you can’t die peacefully in Oklahoma.
12/08/23 at 04:00 AMHere’s why you can’t die peacefully in Oklahoma.By Abby RemmingThe OklahomanDecember 6, 2023... Having Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan would cover hospice, but many people have private insurance from work or state Medicaid plans. Private insurance and Medicaid Advantage plans at times can have a hospice benefit but limit which companies can be used. Applying for Medicare will ensure you are covered for hospice. ... I currently work as a hospital social worker and assist many people who need hospice. Many times, I have had to share with patients and their families that, while they may be ready to peacefully pass away, hospice coverage is not included in the patient’s current insurance plan. Providing end-of-life care is extremely difficult without the added burden of worrying whether insurance will cover the benefit. Those without the benefit and who need the service are then reliant upon the generosity of the companies to absorb the cost. If the Medicaid Advantage plan is picked, a person would need to decide if they wanted the benefit to either cover nursing home care or in-home hospice care. A Medicaid Advantage plan might not cover hospice even when the policyholder believes they have the benefit.