Literature Review

All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Operations News | Challenges.”



CMS’s Hospice Star Rating System limited by missing data

06/04/25 at 03:00 AM

CMS’s Hospice Star Rating System limited by missing data Health Affairs; by Amanda C. Chen and David C. Grabowski; 6/3/25 Two-thirds of US hospices were not given a star rating when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced its hospice star rating system in 2022. Since then, the share of hospices without a star rating has steadily increased, including through the most recent reporting period of 2024. This suggests that the CMS hospice star rating is having limited impact. We provide recommendations for CMS and other policy makers to improve the value for hospice patients of publicly reported star ratings.

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Hospices facing a US caregiving ‘crisis’

06/04/25 at 03:00 AM

Hospices facing a US caregiving ‘crisis’ Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 6/2/25 Family caregivers in the United States are being challenged by a swelling aging population inneed of greater support and stronger policy infrastructures. Much room for improvement exists at both state and federal levels when it comes to recognizing the important roles that family caregivers play, according to Steven Lee, co-founder and CEO of ianacare, a Boston-based patient and caregiver resource company. More innovative care models and disease-specific reimbursement options have widened pathways for hospice providers to improve family caregiver support, Lee said in a recent Hospice News Elevate podcast. But these fall short of addressing the diverse scope of practical, emotional and financial needs, he stated. Editor's note: This article has an excellent map of US states with caregiver categories for "Well-Supported," "Safe for Now," "High Risk," and "Critical" (courtesy of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical). Additionally, our sponsor Hospice Analytics provides the National Hospice Locator, for caregivers/families to find hospices that serve in each US county, and sorted by their quality scores. And, our sponsor Composing Life equips hospice organizations with caregiver/family video libraries that span the continuum of serious illness, hospice, and grief care. 

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Empathetic AI policy example: A framework for the human impact on AI

06/03/25 at 03:00 AM

Empathetic AI policy example: A framework for the human impact on AI Solutions Review; by Tim King; 5/30/25 ... Empathetic AI is our organizational pledge to place people at the center of our AI strategy. It means prioritizing the dignity of work, the stability of our workforce, and the fair treatment of all individuals impacted by automated systems. It means actively supporting those whose roles may be transformed or displaced and investing in their future through retraining, redeployment, and transparent communication. Our core principles are as follows:

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HOPE Tool Anxiety: What are we forgetting in the rush to prepare?

06/03/25 at 02:00 AM

HOPE Tool Anxiety: What are we forgetting in the rush to prepare?Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); by Melissa Calkins and Ashley Espy; 5/30/25 Panic is in the air.  With the HOPE assessment tool set to replace HIS, hospice teams are racing to prepare—scrubbing workflows, updating systems, and trying to wrap their heads around new clinical documentation demands.  But amid the rush, it's easy to overlook critical gaps: non-clinical staff being left out of planning, unclear timelines, poor communication, or the complete absence of a project lead.  HOPE isn't just about compliance—it's about execution. If we don't step back and ask what's missing, we risk rolling out a system that nobody is truly ready for.Steps to Operationalize the HOPE Tool:

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CMS’ TEAM Payment Model: What hospices need to know

06/02/25 at 02:00 AM

CMS’ TEAM Payment Model: What hospices need to know Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/30/25 A forthcoming alternative payment model for hospitals focuses on discharge planning and ensuring effective post-acute care, including hospice and palliative care when appropriate. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) late last year unveiled its new Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM). Participation in the model will be mandatory for select hospitals. The program is set to launch on Jan. 1, 2026 and run through Dec. 31, 2030. CMS designed the program based on lessons learned from previous episode-based payment models, as well as input from stakeholders in response to a Request for Information published in 2023.  

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SpiriTrust Lutheran says Home Care & Hospice operations will wind down across three counties, end service on July 18th

05/30/25 at 03:30 AM

SpiriTrust Lutheran says Home Care & Hospice operations will wind down across three counties, end service on July 18th Tri-State Alert, Chambersburg, PA; Press Release; 5/29/25 Earlier on Thursday [5/29], News Talk 1037FM was alerted to a WARN notice from SpiriTrust Lutheran as to a closure of a portion of their business. Throughout the process, that notice has been narrowed down to their Home Care & Hospice (HCH), with the company announcing their plans to discontinue operations out of their Franklin County office which serves clients in Franklin, Adams and York counties. The official closure will be July 18, 2025. ... SpiriTrust Lutheran says that roughly 65 home care and hospice employees will be affected by the shutting, but  some are expected to be reassigned or offered positions within the SpiriTrust Lutheran family of Life Plan Communities ... SpiriTrust Lutheran officials cited the organization’s ongoing challenges mirrored those confronting many similar organizations nationwide – significant increases in the cost of delivering care due to staffing shortages; rising benefit expenses; and the escalating prices for medical supplies and pharmacy. 

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Empathy meets efficiency: Voice AI in law, healthcare and debt collection

05/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Empathy meets efficiency: Voice AI in law, healthcare and debt collection Forbes; by Kumar Abhirup; 5/29/25 When a grieving daughter calls a probate firm at midnight or a worried parent rings a pediatric clinic after hours, the first voice they meet decides whether they stay or stray. As organizations adopt AI, especially voice and conversational AI, that voice is increasingly synthetic. A recent survey from the American Bar Association found that the share of firms using AI tools rose from 11% in 2023 to 30% in early 2025. Healthcare has sprinted even faster: The American Medical Association found 66% of physicians now use some form of AI, up from 37% two years earlier. Collections agencies are also hopping aboard this trend ... 

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Empath Health to sell service center location

05/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Empath Health to sell service center location Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/29/25  The Florida-based senior care provider Empath Health is selling one of its administrative service centers, located in Pinellas County in its home state. The center was initially established by Suncoast Hospice, which is now an Empath Health affiliate. The sale is part of Empath’s effort to “realign its physical footprint” to invent more directly in home-based, patient-centered care, according to a statement from the organization. “Selling an underutilized administrative building allows us to reinvest in the people, programs and technology that bring comfort, dignity, and support into homes and communities,” said Jonathan Fleece, president and CEO of Empath Health, in the statement. “It’s a return to our roots and a recommitment to the future.”

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Hospice El Paso to receive over $100K from Marathon Petroleum Corporation

05/30/25 at 02:15 AM

Hospice El Paso to receive over $100K from Marathon Petroleum Corporation KTSM, El Paso, TX; Press Release; 5/28/25 Hospice El Paso will receive a $174,000 donation from Marathon Petroleum Corporation this week, which includes the gift of a fully equipped ambulance to support the organization’s patient transportation needs. The donation will be held on Thursday, May 29, the organization said. ... The donation will enable the organization to “provide timely and compassionate transportation for patients requiring specialized end-of-life care, ensuring they receive the support they need with dignity and comfort,” read the news release by the organization. ... “We are deeply grateful to Marathon Petroleum for their unwavering commitment to our community,” Dr. Jim Voiland, CEO of Hospice El Paso, said.

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AI readiness isn’t a new challenge — it’s a familiar one

05/29/25 at 03:00 AM

AI readiness isn’t a new challenge — it’s a familiar oneBecker's Health IT; by Polly Parrent; 5/28/25As AI sweeps across healthcare headlines, it’s tempting to view it as a brand-new frontier, something fundamentally different from previous health IT efforts. But in reality, AI is not a departure from the digital transformation journey we’ve already been on; it’s a continuation. A recent survey from Nordic and Modern Healthcare on AI readiness in healthcare brings this full circle: the same foundational elements that enabled the introduction of electronic health records (EHRs) — infrastructure, governance, data, and workforce training — are the same critical elements for successful AI adoption.

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57 ways healthcare teams may evolve in 2 years

05/29/25 at 03:00 AM

57 ways healthcare teams may evolve in 2 years Becker's Hospital Review; by Randi Haseman; 5/27/25 Question: How do you see your teams evolving in the next two years? What roles and/or skills will you focus on and what will fade? [Note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.] 

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[United Kingdom] Hospice cuts staff and beds to secure its future

05/27/25 at 03:00 AM

[United Kingdom] Hospice cuts staff and beds to secure its future BBC News, Yorkshire, UK; by Alex Moss; 5/23/25A hospice in Huddersfield has announced it has made 19 staff redundant and reduced the number of inpatient beds in order to save its future. The Kirkwood provides end-of-life care to about 2,000 patients each year but its chief executive Michael Crowther said it had faced a "perfect storm" of rising operational costs over the past few years. ... He said: "This has been the single hardest decision we have ever had to make." Another nine staff members have agreed to cut their hours and several others have decided to retire to help reduce the annual costs by £1.7m, the hospice added. ..."As you can imagine, this has been one of the most difficult periods in The Kirkwood's history. ..."Editor's note: Read more--directly from The Kirkwood--at "Securing Our Future Together: A New Way Forward." 

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Health systems need radical transformation. Are C-suites ready?

05/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Health systems need radical transformation. Are C-suites ready? Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 5/21/25Health systems faced with ever-thinning margins and uncertain financial future may be tempted to double-down on cost cutting as an immediate option relief. But for most, that’s not the best option. ... “Amid unprecedented volatility, resource constraints, and technological disruption, how can healthcare executives rapidly adapt and transform their organizations to sustainably deliver high-value care, optimize operational efficiency, and preserve workforce resilience and empathy?” posed Craig Albanese, MD, CEO of Duke University Health System in Durham, N.C. The question is urgent and complex. Hospital leaders are searching for connecting points with old friends, rivals, community organizations and other stakeholders to problem-solve together. They’re also pursuing larger strategic changes instead of small fixes to truly build sustainable organizations for the future. ...

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Proposed California budget calls for prior authorization for hospice in Medicaid

05/23/25 at 03:00 AM

Proposed California budget calls for prior authorization for hospice in Medicaid Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/22/25 The proposed California budget would require prior authorizations for hospice care within the state’s Medicaid program. Currently, Medicaid managed care plans who provide coverage through the state’s Medicaid system, Medi-Cal, may not perform prior authorizations for hospice. California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) indicated in a 2025-2026 budget revision that this could save $25 million over the next two years and more than $50 million in the long term. If enacted, this would make California the first state in the nation to implement such a rule, according to the California Hospice & Palliative Care Association (CHAPCA). The association contends that the anticipated $25 million in cost savings is “speculative and fails to account for the downstream costs and systemic burdens this proposal would create,” according to a position paper shared with Hospice News. ... CHAPCA recommended to the state government three alternative approaches: ...

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Hospice nurse fired after granddaughter shares video of alleged misconduct

05/22/25 at 03:00 AM

Hospice nurse fired after granddaughter shares video of alleged misconduct NBC WJAR-10, Providence, RI; by Leanna Faulk; 5/16/25 A hospice nurse has been fired after a Facebook video posted by the granddaughter of a terminally ill man allegedly caught the nurse verbally abusing him inside HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care on Main Street in Providence. Aryanna Pecoraro said she was visiting her 69-year-old grandfather, John Carney, during the early morning hours of May 3 when she overheard a nurse speaking aggressively to him through the closed door of his room. Carney had been admitted to the hospice center on April 30 and was in the late stages of emphysema. “I hear her say to my grandfather, ‘I’m not coming back into this room. I don’t care if you fall out of the bed onto the floor. I’m tired of your BS," Pecoraro said in an interview with NBC 10. “She also mocked him while he groaned in pain. I couldn’t believe someone could be that cruel to a person who couldn’t defend himself.” ... HopeHealth issued the following statement in response to the video and allegations: ...

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Proposed bill would require MA to pay for hospice care

05/22/25 at 02:00 AM

Proposed bill would require MA to pay for hospice care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/21/25 Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) has introduced the Medicare Advantage Reform Act, which among other provisions would require health plans to pay for hospice care. If enacted, the bill, numbered H.R. 3467, would make wholesale changes to the Medicare Advantage program. It would mandate capitated payment models, change risk adjustment methodologies and create new exemptions for physician self-referrals, among other provisions. The potential impacts of moving hospice into Medicare Advantage at this time would be “devastating,” according to the National Alliance for Care at Home. 

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You might live to be 100. Are you ready?

05/21/25 at 03:00 AM

You might live to be 100. Are you ready? The Guardian; by Andrew J. Scott; 5/15/25 Ethel Caterham, at the age of 115 years, is said to be the oldest person alive. She offers the sage life advice to “say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.” When she was born in 1909, the average life expectancy of a British female was 52 years – becoming a centenarian was a remote prospect. ... Today, according to the United Nations, centenarians are the fastest growing age group. By 1950, there were an estimated 14,000 whilst today there are nearly 750,000, projected to reach nearly 4 million by 2054. ...  Today, there is too large a gap between average lifespan and healthspan. The number of years we are likely to live has increased more than the number of years we are likely to remain healthy. Reducing this gap is critical for seizing the advantages of longer lives.

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A proposal to remove hospice providers from a state review poses a threat to patient care

05/19/25 at 03:00 AM

A proposal to remove hospice providers from a state review poses a threat to patient care The Boston Globe, Boston, MA; by Diana Franchitto; 5/16/25 The General Assembly should maintain rigorous standards and oppose rolling back Rhode Island’s Certificate of Need process, writes HopeHealth president and CEO. ... As the president and CEO of HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, I am proud that Rhode Island offers some of the highest-quality hospice care in the nation. But right now, legislation before the General Assembly could put that quality at risk.A proposal in Governor Dan McKee‘s fiscal 2026 budget would eliminate the requirement that hospice providers be scrutinized by Rhode Island’s Certificate of Need (CON) process. Some may position this as an effort to streamline government, but those of us who work in hospice care know better. The CON process isn’t one of the flashier, public-facing functions of state government, but it has a direct impact on the quality of health and hospice care that Rhode Islanders receive throughout their lives. ... Exempting hospice from meeting the rigorous standards that a CON requires poses an immediate threat to the quality of patient care. ...

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The future of dying with Dr. Ira Byock | Pop 1205

05/16/25 at 03:00 AM

The future of dying with Dr. Ira Byock | Pop 1205 Practice of the Practice; podcast by Joe Sanok with Dr. Ira Byock; 5/14/25 How can we embrace conversations about death and dying? What is the healing power of forgiveness and connection in end-of-life care? When we face morality, how can we transform fear into meaningful connections? In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about the future of dying with Dr. Ira Byock. .. In this podcast: 

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Dementia patient discharged from hospice over Medicare requirement. Here’s why it happened

05/15/25 at 03:00 AM

Dementia patient discharged from hospice over Medicare requirement. Here’s why it happened WKMG-6, Deltona, FL; by Erika Briguglio and Louis Bolden; 5/14/25A Volusia County family is left scrambling after their loved one is abruptly dropped from hospice care. To qualify for hospice, patients must have a life expectancy of six months or less. However, for dementia patients, the prognosis can be unpredictable. Hospice care can be extended as long as the patient continues to meet Medicare requirements. Unfortunately, these requirements are why Amy Yates lost coverage for her 91-year-old grandmother. ... “I think it’s she hasn’t died fast enough, and it’s costing them money that they don’t want to spend,” Yates told News 6. ... What Yates’ family is dealing with is what Medicare calls live discharge, and they are not alone. The Hospice Foundation of America reports that 17% of people in 2022 who were admitted to hospice care were discharged; about 6% of the total caseload was discharged because they no longer met Medicare requirements for care under the hospice benefit.Editor's note: What are your hospice stats for live discharges? For Length of Stay (LOS)? This factor--with the face-to-face recertification requirement--is crucial. Unfortunately, many hospices misused President Jimmy Carter's extraordinarily long LOS with misleading information about hospice care. They watered down "end-of-life" care and never mentioned anything about a basic recertification process. Warm, user-friendly language can be used with integrity, authenticity, and patient/caregiver support.

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New study uncovers significant variations in life expectancy across U.S. states

05/12/25 at 02:00 AM

New study uncovers significant variations in life expectancy across U.S. states Bioengineer.org - Health; by Bioengineer; 5/7/25 "A Century of Unequal Longevity: How Geography and Policy Sculpt Life Expectancy in the United States"In an extensive new investigation led by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), researchers have unveiled profound disparities in life expectancy trends throughout the United States over the last hundred years. This groundbreaking study reveals how the interplay between public health policies, social environments, and regional factors critically shapes the longevity of populations across states and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. ... The findings are striking: while states in the Northeast and West Coast, alongside the District of Columbia, achieved remarkable gains in life expectancy over the twentieth century, several Southern states remained largely stagnant. Specifically, females born in some parts of the South experienced life expectancy increases of less than three years between 1900 and 2000.

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Pine Tree Hospice hosts 29th Annual Variety Show

05/08/25 at 03:00 AM

Pine Tree Hospice hosts 29th Annual Variety Show The Piscataquis Observer - The Voice of Rural Maine, Dover-Foxcroft, ME; by Staff; 5/5/25 On a rainy, dreary Saturday in April, the volunteers of Pine Tree Hospice presented the group’s 29th Variety Show and created a little sunshine at the Center Theatre for the 100 attendees. The corps of volunteers ran the show from greeting attendees to taking tickets to selling tickets for the quilt raffle to running the first annual pie faffle. The Annual Variety Show, a major source of funding for the group’s volunteer-based non-medical support services, raised nearly $8,000.

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Addressing workforce challenges: Hospice in the news, April 2025

05/08/25 at 03:00 AM

Addressing workforce challenges: Hospice in the news, April 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 5/7/25 What defines quality in end-of-life care?  How are Hospice organizations navigating workforce challenges?  And why has medical aid in dying become such a critical conversation?  These questions take center stage in this data-driven exploration of April's most impactful Hospice and Palliative Care news stories. In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories from April, focusing on Hospice and Palliative Care.  They explore personal aspirations, data insights, the impact of spiritual care, emerging categories in news reporting, and key themes such as reimbursement and workforce challenges.  The conversation also touches on mission moments, regulatory changes, technology innovations, and the evolving nature of leadership in healthcare, particularly in the context of AI and human skills. ... Cordt closes the show with a Master's Class reviewing the National Hospice Locator, a valuable tool for finding high-quality Hospice Care anywhere in the country.

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The Carilion office driving 139 projects

05/07/25 at 03:00 AM

The Carilion office driving 139 projects Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 5/5/25 Roughly five years ago, Roanoke, Va.-based Carilion Clinic recognized the need for an organizational pivot to better align system strategic plans with major operational initiatives. That led to the creation of its Enterprise Project Management Office, which leaders say has already yielded results. At the outset, senior leaders sought to build an internal group that could consistently implement and support the organization’s strategic plan.  Carilion — an integrated health system with seven hospitals, home health services, imaging, pharmacies, urgent care centers, a ground and air transportation network and a more than 800-member multispecialty physician group — had previously housed pockets of project management within various departments, ... However, the health system’s goal was more standardization, as many project managers were splitting their time between project management and day-to-day operations.

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Empath Health’s new One Hospice Model a ‘blueprint’ for scalable growth

05/07/25 at 02:10 AM

Empath Health’s new One Hospice Model a ‘blueprint’ for scalable growth Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 5/5/25 Empath Health on Monday integrated its seven hospice brands under one umbrella. ... The Florida-based nonprofit’s seven brands collectively care for one-in-five hospice patients statewide and include Empath Hospice, Hospice of Marion County, Suncoast Hospice, Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough, Tidewell Hospice and Trustbridge (also Hospice by the Sea and Hospice of Palm Beach County). ...The new One Hospice Model is structured to provide more direct referral and community access to Empath Health’s overall network of services/ entire continuum of care. ... The new model is designed to strengthen the outlook of hospice care delivery as providers face myriad sustainability challenges, according to Empath Health. Rising demand, workforce shortages, program integrity and regulatory challenges, economic pressures and a shifting hospice marketplace are just some of the leading issues among today’s leaders.

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