Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Hospice Provider News | Operations News | Challenges.”
7 hospice leaders’ predictions for 2026
01/21/26 at 02:00 AM7 hospice leaders’ predictions for 2026 Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 1/20/26 Hospice News interviewed several industry leaders to identify the most significant market forces and trends expected to shape the sector in 2026. Their insights revealed several shared themes, including growing demand for home-based care, ongoing workforce challenges, continued industry consolidation, heightened technology adoption and heightened regulatory oversight. Participants also emphasized the importance of better integrating hospice into the broader health care continuum.
Agrace announces revolutionary dementia village: America's first Hogeweyk-inspired community redefining memory care
01/21/26 at 02:00 AMAgrace announces revolutionary dementia village: America's first Hogeweyk-inspired community redefining memory care PR Newswire, Madison, WI; by Agrace; 1/20/26 Agrace ... today announced plans to build the Ellen & Peter Johnson Dementia Village at Agrace, the first Hogeweyk-inspired dementia care community of its kind in the United States. ... Breaking ground this spring, the $40 million project represents a complete reimagining of dementia care in America, drawing inspiration from the Netherlands' internationally acclaimed Hogeweyk Dementia Village—a model that has set a new global standard for supporting people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. ... Traditional memory care has long focused on safety and clinical oversight—priorities that matter deeply to families and caregivers alike. Yet many of these settings—shaped by institutional design and medical frameworks—can unintentionally narrow autonomy, spontaneity, and connection to ordinary life.
Top news stories from 2025, and predictions for 2026 by Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner | Part 2
01/19/26 at 02:00 AMTop news stories from 2025, and predictions for 2026 by Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner | Part 2 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast/video hosted by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 1/16/26 In Part 2 of Top News Stories from 2025, and Predictions for 2026, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner look back on their 2025 predictions with honesty and perspective before turning their focus to what lies ahead. Both agree that 2025 was defined less by disruption and more by incremental movement. While pressures around staffing, reimbursement, Medicare Advantage, Hospice quality, and AI persisted, many of the anticipated “breaking points” never fully arrived—revealing a year shaped more by steady undercurrents than seismic shifts.
Baptist Health and Hosparus Health expand hospice and palliative care partnership to Southern Indiana
01/15/26 at 03:00 AMBaptist Health and Hosparus Health expand hospice and palliative care partnership to Southern Indiana Hosparus Health, Louisville, KY; Press Release; 1/14/26 Hosparus Health and its palliative care affiliate, Pallitus Health Partners, in collaboration with Baptist Health, announce the expansion of their innovative partnership to Southern Indiana. As of January 2, 2026, Pallitus Health Partners is offering palliative care consultations for patients at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany. The program focuses on supporting patients and families facing serious illness by providing expert symptom management, helping them plan for the future, and connecting them with broader care options, including hospice when appropriate.
Top news stories from 2025, and predictions for 2026 by Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner | Part 1
01/15/26 at 03:00 AMTop news stories from 2025, and predictions for 2026 by Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner | Part 1 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 1/14/26 This episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership brings together a year-in-review and a forward-looking conversation, as Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner reflect on the most important healthcare and Hospice stories from 2025 and share their predictions for what lies ahead in 2026. In Part One, Chris and Cordt review key headlines from late 2025, connecting policy shifts, technology trends, workforce realities, and financial pressures to the everyday leadership decisions facing hospice and healthcare organizations. Rather than reacting to news in isolation, the discussion focuses on how these forces intersect at the front lines of care.
New AMA survey spotlights top priorities, challenges in 2026
01/14/26 at 03:00 AMNew AMA survey spotlights top priorities, challenges in 2026 HCN - HealthCare News, Chicago, IL; by HCN Staff; 1/9/26 Physician organizations are preparing for a dynamic state legislative landscape this year with health policy changes poised to reshape coverage, oversight, care delivery, and public health across the health system, according to a new survey released by the American Medical Assoc. (AMA). The AMA’s survey of 64 medical societies, including all 50 state medical societies and the District of Columbia, spotlights the leading healthcare priorities and challenges set to define state-level legislative action in 2026. Top issues include scope of practice, Medicaid policy pressures, and physician workforce challenges.
Sangre de Cristo Community Care expands rural healthcare with HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley affiliation
01/14/26 at 03:00 AMSangre de Cristo Community Care expands rural healthcare with HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley affiliation Small Business World Journal, Glenwood Springs, CO; Press Release; 1/12/26 Sangre de Cristo Community Care has announced that HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley, based in Glenwood Springs, will become an affiliate. This affiliation marks an important step in strengthening healthcare access in rural Colorado and reflects Sangre’s and HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley’s deep commitment to ensuring compassionate care to rural communities. By joining forces, the two nonprofit organizations will now collectively cover 28,000 square miles across the state, expanding Sangre's existing 22,000 square miles of service and providing HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley with Sangre's infrastructure and resources.
CMS, hospice groups mull Wage Index reform
01/14/26 at 03:00 AMCMS, hospice groups mull Wage Index reform Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 1/13/26 Some stakeholders in the hospice space are seeking reforms to the hospice wage index. ... CMS has given indications that it would mull changes to the hospice wage index. In 2025, the agency convened a technical expert panel to consider the issue. One point of discussion is the application of new data sources, including potential changes to hospice cost reports. ... One proposal discussed within the panel would be to revise the hospice cost report to collect accurate information about costs related to full-time employees, ... To implement a new wage index methodology, CMS would also have to go through a proposed rulemaking process, including public notice and a comment period. With any wage index changes, some hospices would “win” and others would “lose.” Some providers may see higher payments as a result, whereas others may see their rates go down. ...
CMS expands PPEO and EPR to Georgia and Ohio
01/13/26 at 03:00 AMCMS expands PPEO and EPR to Georgia and Ohio JD Supra; by Bryan Nowicki; 1/8/2026 CMS has extended its Provisional Period of Enhanced Oversight (PPEO) and its Expanded Prepayment Review (EPR) enforcement efforts to Georgia and Ohio. The enhanced enforcement efforts can lead to the revocation of a hospice’s Medicare billing privileges, termination of Medicare/Medicaid enrollment, and/or the prepayment review of 100% of a hospice’s claims. VERY Brief PPEO/EPR Overview: CMS’s process relating to these efforts is quite inconsistent, but generally . . .
[United Kingdom] One in five hospice beds closed, report warns in end of life care crisis
01/13/26 at 03:00 AM[United Kingdom] One in five hospice beds closed, report warns in end of life care crisis Express - Health and Social Affairs; by Lucy Johnston; 1/10/26 Almost one in five hospice beds in England is now closed or standing empty, despite growing demand for end-of-life care, a study by Oxford University researchers has found. The analysis exposes a deepening funding crisis in the hospice sector - which its authors have described as “a national scandal.” ... [Oxford University professors describe that] ... increasing numbers of frail and elderly patients are dying “in pain, alone, often hungry and dehydrated,” while others are being admitted to hospital in emergency situations, adding pressure to already stretched NHS services.
Responsible AI: A practical path for today's organizations
01/13/26 at 03:00 AMResponsible AI: A practical path for today's organizations Mondaq; by Kaufman Rossin; 1/12/26 ... Trust sits at the heart of any meaningful AI effort. By protecting sensitive data, enabling consistent outcomes, and navigating cybersecurity and compliance risks, organizations can give their teams and stakeholders the confidence to embrace AI and the possibilities it opens. ... However, as organizations adopt AI tools, they may face heightened risks of exposing sensitive business information. ...
What to expect in US healthcare in 2026 and beyond
01/13/26 at 03:00 AMWhat to expect in US healthcare in 2026 and beyond McKinsey & Company; by Neha Patel and Shubham Singhal with Ankit Jain; 1/12/26The healthcare industry faces successive waves of challenging trends, with glimmers of opportunity in select segments. US healthcare system continues to face considerable financial strain, although there are pockets of opportunity. ... Payers and providers have borne the brunt of the decline to date and will continue to feel financial pressure in the immediate future. ... Meanwhile, providers could experience an increase in uncompensated care and loss of reimbursement. ... Post-acute care is positioned for stronger performance over the next several years, with continued growth in home health and hospice but stagnation in skilled nursing facilities. ...
Alliance joins Dr. Oz, CMS leadership, to strengthen program integrity in home health and hospice
01/12/26 at 03:00 AMAlliance joins Dr. Oz, CMS leadership, to strengthen program integrity in home health and hospice National Alliance for Care at Home; Press Release; 1/9/26 On January 9, the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) continued its collaboration with CMS by attending a listening session in Los Angeles, CA, with Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Kim Brandt, Deputy Administrator Chief Operating Officer, and Director of the Center for Program Integrity for CMS, and Chris Klomp, Deputy Administrator for CMS and Director of the Center for Medicare, to discuss fraud, waste, and abuse in home health and hospice. ... View the full letter for a detailed list of recommendations.
OhioHealth, Columbus family foundation end decades-long relationship
01/12/26 at 02:00 AMOhioHealth, Columbus family foundation end decades-long relationship Columbus Business First - Healthcare, Columbus, OH; by Carrie Ghose; 1/9/26 The primary benefactors for OhioHealth Corp.'s hospice facility have shifted their family's support to another nonprofit, Dayton-based Ohio's Hospice - citing dissatisfaction with the involvement of private equity in end-of-life care. ... "In the bright glare of machines and the cold calculation of metrics, some in our society have allowed the final days of human life to become a logistical and financial puzzle, measured in reimbursement rates and hospital capacity," said a statement from the Kobacker family of Columbus. OhioHealth will announce new naming rights for its Kobacker House in the coming months, the system said in a statement to Columbus Business First. No patients are affected by the transition. [Access may be limited due to paywall.]
Update: Hospice plaintiffs drop suit against Baxter Health
01/09/26 at 03:00 AMLawsuit against Baxter Health by former Hospice board members dismissed KTLO - Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation, Mountain Home, AR; by Staff; 1/6/26 The nearly 2 month legal dispute between now former members of the board of the Hospice of the Ozarks and Baxter Health, CEO Ron Peterson and newly appointed board members came to an end Monday with the dismissal of the lawsuit and resignations of the original 11 member board. ... The original suit was filed on November 21, 2025 and sought to restrain 14 newly appointed board members by Baxter Health from taking any actions on behalf of Hospice or from voting at any Hospice board meeting. The lawsuit alleged the action to appoint the new board members taken recently by the hospital was fraudulent and done to seize control and power from the then current 11 member Hospice board.
Kobacker program moves to Ohio’s Hospice in landmark partnership preserving future of quality nonprofit end-of-life care
01/08/26 at 03:00 AMKobacker program moves to Ohio’s Hospice in landmark partnership preserving future of quality nonprofit end-of-life care US National Times, Columbus, OH; Press Release; 1/7/26 The Kobacker family today announced that Kobacker House, central Ohio’s pioneering inpatient hospice facility founded in 1989, will move and continue its mission under Ohio’s Hospice, the state’s largest nonprofit hospice provider. As part of the announcement, the family published a guiding charter, The Kobacker Way, which details fundamental principles for quality nonprofit hospice care. The full document is available at www.TheKobackerWay.org.
Home-based care type II workplace violence nurse provider experience a literature review
01/08/26 at 03:00 AMHome-based care type II workplace violence nurse provider experience a literature review Home Healthcare Now; by LaDawna Goering DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, BC-ADM, CDP and Tracy Ashby, MLIS; Jan/Feb 2026 Home-based healthcare workers are at risk of violence from patients or visitors, known as Type II workplace violence (WPV). A review of studies from 2014 to 2024 found that WPV in home care is often underreported, and current training programs are not tailored for home settings. This leaves workers vulnerable to physical and psychological harm. The review suggests the need for specialized training for home care providers, focusing on patient screening, situational awareness, and de-escalation techniques. Future efforts should aim to create specific WPV prevention and reporting protocols to enhance safety and accountability in home healthcare.
More services at Central Missouri hospital fall victim to economic pressures
01/08/26 at 03:00 AMMore services at Central Missouri hospital fall victim to economic pressures News Tribune, Kansas City, MO; by Meg Cunningham; 1/4/26 Fitzgibbon Hospital, a Central Missouri health care system, announced recently that it would shutter some services effective Dec. 31, citing mounting financial pressures. The nonprofit hospital said the closures will affect about 30 employees and hundreds of patients. Fitzgibbon, located in Marshall, operates several primary and specialty care clinics in Central Missouri. Services that are closing include the Grand River Medical Clinic in Brunswick, Fitzgibbon Family Health in Fayette, the hospital's inpatient behavioral health unit, a home health and hospice agency and a pain management clinic.
Fairhaven, Rainbow partner on hospice suites
01/07/26 at 03:00 AMFairhaven, Rainbow partner on hospice suites Daily Jefferson County Union, Whitewater, WI; by Daily Union Staff; 12/11/25 Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater and Rainbow Community Care in Jefferson have announced a partnership to serve families whose loved ones are in end of life care. The nonprofit organizations are collaborating to open two dedicated hospice suites on the Fairhaven campus, as a “sacred space” where local residents and their families can find peace and comfort, a release said. The partnership was born not only out of necessity, “but from a long-standing mutual respect and shared belief that compassionate care should be available close to home,” the release continued.
Dying with dignity - personal perspective: The sacred ending we don’t talk about enough.
01/07/26 at 03:00 AMDying with dignity - personal perspective: The sacred ending we don’t talk about enough. Psychology Today; by Cynthia Chen-Joea DO, MPH, FAAFP, DABOM; 12/24/25 In the U.S., we spend enormous amounts of energy keeping people alive, curing, fixing, and prolonging life at all costs. What we rarely talk about is how people die. And more importantly, how poorly our system supports them when the end is clearly approaching. ... [Background story about her dad's Parkinson's and eventual death] ... Then came our request for hospice. After an evaluation, we were told he didn’t “qualify” because he had gained some weight and his albumin levels were “too high.” An arbitrary checklist, based on labs values, prevented him from getting into hospice. [Keep reading] So we tried for palliative care instead. I made call after call, only to be bounced between departments, many unclear on the difference between hospice and palliative care, ... Even as a physician, I was stunned by how many barriers we encountered simply trying to do the most humane thing: to advocate for dignity, comfort, and respect at the end of my father’s life.
Precision Radiation Oncology Rhode Island and HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care announce Collaborative partnership
01/02/26 at 03:15 AMPrecision Radiation Oncology Rhode Island and HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care announce Collaborative partnership Today in Business, Providence, RI; Press Release; 12/30/25 Precision Radiation Oncology Rhode Island (PRORI) ... along with HopeHealth, provider of palliative care and hospice services, are proud to announce a new collaborative partnership, aimed at improving quality of life and Precision outcomes for patients undergoing cancer care, beginning January 2026. This collaboration brings together two organizations with complementary missions: delivering state-of-the-art cancer treatment while ensuring compassionate, patient-centered support throughout every stage of the patient’s cancer journey. By working closely together, in a synergistic manner, PRORI and HopeHealth will provide a seamless continuum of cancer care that addresses not only the clinical aspects of cancer treatment, but also the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of patients, their families and caregivers.
Pediatric respite homes provide a survival mechanism for struggling families [podcast]]
01/02/26 at 03:00 AMPediatric respite homes provide a survival mechanism for struggling families [podcast]Medpage Today's KevinMD.com; by KevinMD; 1/1/26Certified coach and professor Kathleen Muldoon and co-founder of Ryan House and Children’s Respite Homes of America Jonathan Cottor discuss the article “The need for pediatric respite care.” Kathleen shares the personal story of raising her son Gideon who lives with over 42 medical diagnoses and explain why the family had to move across the country to find safety. They highlight the critical difference between taking a break and surviving the relentless cycle of 24/7 medical vigilance required for medically complex children.
Hospice reaffirms commitment to care amid new state law
01/02/26 at 03:00 AMHospice reaffirms commitment to care amid new state lawThe Post-Journal, Jamestown, NY; Press Release; 12/31/25 As New York state moves toward the implementation of Medical Aid in Dying legislation, Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care (CHPC) is reaffirming its unwavering commitment to supporting individuals and families facing terminal illness with dignity, respect, and compassion. In a recently issued press release, CHPC notes that “... While end-of-life options in New York State are evolving, our mission remains the same: to provide expert care, comfort, and emotional support to those confronting serious illness and loss.” Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care does not participate in the provision or administration of Medical Aid in Dying medications. ... As the Medical Aid in Dying law moves forward, CHPC recognizes the importance of clear, compassionate guidance. It has developed educational materials to help patients and families understand the new law and how it intersects with hospice care. For those who choose to explore Medical Aid in Dying, we will continue to offer support, information, and, where appropriate under law and policy, connections to outside providers.
The hospice conversations that defined 2025 - Best of TCNtalks
12/30/25 at 03:00 AMThe hospice conversations that defined 2025 - Best of TCNtalks Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); by Chris Comeaux; 12/24/25 With nearly 45,000 total downloads across TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, this milestone reflects a shared commitment to thoughtful leadership, courageous conversations, and care as it should be. We’ve curated standout moments from episodes that challenged assumptions, clarified complexity, and pointed toward a better future for serious-illness care. ... This highlight episode isn’t just a recap—it’s a reflection of where hospice and serious-illness care has been, where it is, and where it must go next. These conversations underscore the urgency of leadership rooted in clarity, compassion, and courage. Whether you’re revisiting a favorite or discovering an episode you missed, we hope this collection sparks insight, conversation, and renewed purpose as we head into 2026.
UVM hospice team holds “Honk and Wave” protest over contract negotiations
12/23/25 at 03:00 AMUVM hospice team holds “Honk and Wave” protest over contract negotiations NBC 5, Burlington, VT; by Yunier Martinez; 12/21/25 Nurses and supporters held a “Honk and Wave” protest Saturday along Shelburne Road to build community support for the hospice union’s ongoing contract negotiations. "We want the community to know the value of the work we do," says nurse practitioner Lindsay Gerdeman. ... A spokesperson for the hospital released the following statement: "... We value our hospice team and understand that negotiating for a first contract will take time. ..." Negotiations are set to resume in January.