Literature Review

Perceived value of transfusion access and hospice services among patients with blood cancersJAMA Network Open; by Hari S. Raman, Angel M. Cronin, Scott F. Huntington, Hajime Uno, Caitlin Brennan, Susan Lysaght Hurley, Anna Tidswell, Richard M. Kaufman, Sarah M. Lanahan,  Kimberly S. Johnson, James A. Tulsky, Gregory A. Abel, Oreofe O. Odejide; 11/25In this survey study, our analysis suggests that for many patients with advanced hematologic cancers, the ability to maintain access to blood transfusions is the primary factor in deciding whether to enroll in hospice. Given that the majority of hospices in the US do not provide transfusion access, patients with blood cancers are faced with the impossible choice of preserving access to palliative transfusions vs accessing quality home-based hospice care. This dichotomy between transfusion access and hospice care may contribute to the low rate of hospice use in this population. Our findings underscore the need to develop and test novel hospice delivery models that combine palliative transfusions with routine hospice services to effectively alleviate discomfort and optimize the QOL [quality of life] of patients with blood cancers near the EOL [end of life].Assistant Editor's note: In the calendar year 2024 data from Medicare Hospice claims indicate that only 3.0% of beneficiaries had a blood cancer diagnosis, per Hospice Analytics. This article suggests some great ideas about how hospice can address the expense of blood transfusions with CMS. But until that happens, hospices could consider approaching their local transfusion center about a contract for a reduced price for blood transfusions for patients in need. Ultimately, this will benefit the hospice, the transfusion center (potentially more patients), and most importantly, the patient.

Hospice of South Texas announces full funding for new support services building PROLG Press Release Distribution, Victoria, TX; by Hospice of South Texas; 12/8/25 Hospice of South Texas (HOST) is grateful to announce that the Support Services Building is now fully funded. This milestone was reached through a remarkable $700,000 gift from the M. G. and Lillie A. Johnson Foundation and the generous support of many additional donors. Their partnership ensures continued access to nonprofit, compassionate hospice care for families across twelve South Texas counties. 

Data book: Beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid MEDPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commision) and MACPAC (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission); December 2025 This data book is a joint project of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The data book presents information on the demographic and other personal characteristics, expenditures, and health care utilization of individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Dually eligible beneficiaries receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits by virtue of their age or disability and low income. This population is diverse and includes individuals with multiple chronic conditions, physical disabilities, and cognitive impairments such as dementia, developmental disabilities, and mental illness. It also includes some individuals who are relatively healthy.

Bipartisan senators: Keep hospice out of Medicare Advantage Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/21/25 Two U.S. Senators have penned a letter to congressional leadership urging them to oppose any measures to bring hospice reimbursement into Medicare Advantage. Sens. Dr. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) circulated the letter on Thursday, addressed to Senate leaders from both major political parties, as well as the chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. 

'It has made my life a lot easier': New Ohio program pays people to care for their loved ones at homeWTOL-11, Columbus, OH; by Kevin Landers; 11/24/25 Mark Straub, of Delaware County, started caring for his 93-year-old mother about two years ago. As much as he loves to have his mother at home instead of a nursing home, caring for a loved one 24/7 brings with it stress, both emotional and financial. ... The average cost of in-home care in Ohio is $60,238, according to CareScout. The average cost of nursing home care is $108,500 a year, or about $9,000 per month. Thanks to a new program in Ohio, those who care for a loved one at home are about to get financially easier. It’s called Structured Family Caregiving, or SFC. Currently, at least 11 states have formal Medicaid SFC programs that pay family members. “I didn’t believe it at first, until I got that first paycheck and I really wanted to cry, “ said Tsavaris.

National Alliance for Care at Home: CMS modifies Final Payment Rule based on stakeholder feedback, but 1.3% cut still undermines access National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 11/28/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today acknowledged that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made significant adjustments in the Home Health Perspective Payment System (HH PPS) Final Rule for CY 2026 in response to community concerns regarding patient access and data integrity. However, the Alliance remains concerned that any payment cut for home health providers will continue to compromise access for the millions of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on these services to age and recover from illness or injury safely at home. 

Calendar Year (CY) 2026 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System Final Rule CMS Newsroom - Fact Sheets; by CMS; 11/20/25 Key points:

[United Kingdom] 'I lie awake wondering how we fund our hospice' BBC News, Manchester, England; by Paul Burnell; 11/18/25 The boss of a large hospice has told how its financial problems are giving her sleepless nights. Rachel McMillan, chief executive of Moya Cole Hospice in Manchester, said it needed £20,000 daily to run it. "It keeps me awake at night - every day it is always a challenge." "The funding model is archaic, it's not fit for purpose," Ms. McMillan said. "We have to raise £20,000 every single day of the year just to keep the doors open."Editor's Note: I trust that you--our readers--can relate. And yet, our US Medicare payments provide much more financial support than UK counterparts. Still, Moya Cole Hospice--in the midst of tough financial decisions--continues to focus on quality care, as demonstrated in their ongoing top quality scores of "Outstanding" for the pattient and family care they provide.

How CFOs can harness the power of their shifting role HealthLeaders - Analysis; by Marie Defreitas; 11/17/25 As turnover rises and expectations expand, CFOs are redefining their influence; from financial stewards to enterprise strategists and even future CEOs. The role's evolution demands new skills, deeper relationships, and a broader vision of what value means. ...

Lehigh Valley Health Network to drop UnitedHealthcare over reimbursement Becker's Payer Issues; by Andrew Cass; 10/29/25 Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network said it is planning to terminate its contract with UnitedHealthcare unless the payer works with the health system to remedy reimbursement issues. Without a resolution, LVHN will go out of network with UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans on Jan. 25, 2026 and commercial plans on April 25, 2026, according to an Oct. 27 news release from the health system. 

Kalos Health shutters amid Medicaid changes Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/29/25 Kalos Health Inc. is closing amid changes to Medicaid reimbursement. The change could challenge access to home-based services for chronically ill adults in western New York. The nonprofit provided health insurance coverage across six counties in New York through a Medicaid managed long-term care (MLTC) plan. Since 2014, the plan has coordinated with regional health care providers to serve adults with chronic illness and health disabilities. Kalos Health is part of The Hospice and Palliative Care Group (HPCG), an organization that provides administrative services. Other providers in the group include Niagara Hospice, Liberty Home Care, Hospice of Orleans and The Niagara Hospice Alliance.  

Strategies for managing rising healthcare premiums with Jason Bradshaw Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Jason Bradshaw; 10/29/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes back Jason Bradshaw, a seasoned benefits consultant with USI Insurance Services. Together, they unpack why healthcare premiums are rising, where volatility is coming from, and how employers can regain control without gutting benefits.  Jason shares practical funding models, transparency tools, and a playbook for building a cost culture that actually moves behavior.

Ames hospice center to close due to decline in patient numbers, rising costs We Are Iowa, Des Moines, IA; by Caleb Geer;10/23/25 After more than 25 years of service in central Iowa, the Israel Family Hospice House is preparing to close its doors, according to Mary Greeley Medical Center. The decision will be effective on Dec. 31, 2025, pending approval by the hospital's Board of Trustees during their Oct. 28 meeting. "After careful consideration, and in light of a steady decline in patient numbers, increased competition from for-profit providers, insufficient reimbursements, and rising operational costs, we have made the difficult decision to close the hospice house," a post on the Mary Greeley Facebook account says in part. Reasons for the pending closure include declining patients, increased competition and increasing deficit, according to an FAQ document provided by the hospital.