Literature Review

Beyond the headlines: the hospice story we aren’t telling enough National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI); podcast hosted by Tom Koutsoumpas and Carole Fisher with Karen Rubel, Tim Meadows, Viki Jingle, and Brad Luna; 7/31/26Hospice is making headlines — but there’s a much bigger story to tell. In this episode, hospice leaders Karen Rubel, Tim Meadows and Viki Jingle join Tom and Carole to discuss how organizations can respond to today’s hospice fraud-focused environment by leading with messaging on quality, transparency, and trust. Communications expert Brad Luna then shares practical strategies for developing messages that resonate, engaging local media, and telling the stories that showcase the real impact of hospice care in communities across America.

Delivering compassionate care in an evolving industry: OIG challengesHospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ; Press Release; 8/4/26... Over nearly five decades, Hospice of the Valley-West (HOV-West) has served our community and been a national leader in end-of-life care. We are committed to excellent clinical care along with being strong advocates of regulatory compliance and proponents of responsible stewardship of public resources. This commitment is shown in a number of ways: HOV was ranked among the top three hospices in the nation for high-quality care. ... An OIG third-party contractor audited 100 hospice claims for care provided during the first two years of the COVID-19 PHE. The OIG praised HOV-West for strong internal controls, policies and procedures. During the review, their third-party auditor agreed with 85 records, denying 15 records. In conversation with the OIG, they stated that this represents good results. However, HOV-West strongly disagrees with the 15 denials and we believe they will be overturned through the review and appeal process. ... The OIG report can be read here.

Josh & Jase bring toys to Hospice of Michigan’s youngest patients, kick off special fundraiser MLive, Grand Rapids, MI; by Tanda Gmiter; 8/3/26 The British TikTok duo Josh & Jase are known for encouraging goodwill as they travel around our state. Last winter’s trek across Michigan saw their tour of Mel Trotter Ministries raise thousands of dollars for the shelter’s programs. This week, they invited their huge social media audience to see the good work being done by Hospice of Michigan, a non-profit that helps those near death - and their families. Josh & Jase visited some of the youngest patients and their families in what turned out to be an emotional day for the social media stars. “Today was one of those days that will stay with us forever,” they wrote on their Facebook account on Friday. ... The duo said they were impressed at how Hospice of Michigan’s staff can be there to support not just the patient, but entire families during what can be a very difficult and heartbreaking time.

Hospice groups ‘disappointed’ by 2027 Final Rule Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/3/26 Hospice organizations are expressing “disappointment” following the release of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) hospice final rule for 2027. A chief sticking point was the 2.3% base rate increase, which was less than the 2.4% the agency originally proposed. Members of industry trade groups contend that this is an insufficient amount in today’s economy and cost environment. ... New for 2027, the Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI) includes a scoring system using nine claims-based measures, each representing different aspects of hospice utilization as well as non-hospice spending. This is designed to identify hospices in need of increased transparency and oversight. CMS established the SSVI amid the agency’s concerns over non-hospice spending in particular. The Alliance, LeadingAge and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) opposed the SSVI in comments on the proposed rule.

Columbus Foundation grant to support Wexner Heritage Village hospice music therapy program Columbus Jewish News; by Noell Wofgram Evans; 7/31/26   The transition to a hospice can be emotional, stressful and scary. Zusman Community Hospice at Wexner Heritage Village was recently awarded a grant from the Columbus Foundation to help reduce the negative feelings that can be connected with that transition. The $25,000 grant will establish a Hospice Music Therapy Program, a new program that joins their pet therapy and aromatherapy care components which accompany traditional hospice services. Sophia Elias, director of development at Wexner Heritage Village, told the Columbus Jewish News, “The grant will support year-long access to a board-certified music therapist who will provide approximately six to seven visits each week.”

Hospice of Southern Illinois marks 45 years of care The Southern Illinoisan, Marion, IL; by Paul Wilcoxen; 7/30/26 Hospice of Southern Illinois has spent the past 45 years helping patients and families navigate the end of life. The Marion Chamber of Commerce recognized the anniversary Thursday. Hospice of Southern Illinois CEO Amy Richter said the milestone belongs as much to the people behind the organization as it does to the organization itself. “When I first came to the company 17 years ago, the census down in Marion, the number of patients that we served back then was half of what it is now, so it’s grown that much,” Richter said. “Again, it’s due to the staff and all of our volunteers, and the community and all of our community partners.”

Ennoble Care achieves outstanding quality outcomes and lower costs for high-needs Medicare patientsThe Best Times, Arlington, VA; by PR Newswire; 7/30/26Ennoble Care announced the publication of its 2026 Quality and Outcomes Report. The report highlights reductions in hospitalizations, improved quality of life, and lower costs for a population that is twice as medically complex as the national Medicare average.

Unity Golf Classic raises more than $80,000 to support compassionate hospice care, palliative care The Chamber Manitowoc County, De Pere, WI; Press Release; 7/28/2026Unity's 10th Annual Golf Classic brought together 124 golfers, 26 sponsors, 28 volunteers, and several community partners on Thursday, July 16, at Thornberry Creek at Oneida, raising nearly $80,000 to support Unity's mission of providing compassionate care and grief support throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Celebrating its tenth year, the Unity Golf Classic has become one of the organization's signature fundraising events, helping ensure patients and families receive expert, dignified care regardless of their ability to pay. "The Unity Golf Classic is about much more than a day on the course," said Alisa Gerke, Executive Director of Unity. "It is an opportunity for our community to come together in support of patients and families facing some of life's most difficult moments. We are incredibly grateful to every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, and donor whose generosity makes this event possible."

Hospice launches new website The Martha's Vineyard Time, Martha's Vineyard, MA; Press Release; 7/29/26 Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV) announces the launch of its newly redesigned website and new educational video. The new website offers visitors a more user-friendly experience, making it easier to find information about hospice, palliative care, grief support services, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to support the organization. Designed with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members in mind, the site serves as a comprehensive resource for information about HPCMV.

Same team, same care, new name: interim healthcare offices in Lubbock and throughout West Texas become ExcelaCare Newsnet, Lubbock, TX; by EIN Presswire; 7/27/26 A trusted provider of home health and hospice care in communities throughout West Texas, formerly known as Interim Healthcare, is officially transitioning to a new name: ExcelaCare. These local offices across the region, including Lubbock, TX and surrounding areas, will continue delivering the same patient-centered care under new branding. “While our logo and colors are changing, our ownership, management, and the local teams you have come to know and trust are not,” said the organization’s founder. ... The rebrand comes as the organization continues to pursue excellence across all its services and reflects an effort to elevate its ongoing dedication to the communities it has served for years as Interim. The local staff and day-to-day operations remain unchanged; only the name and visual identity are new.

Hospices worry patients will be unfairly punished amid fraud crisis The Washington Post | KFF Health News; bu Laurie Udesky; 7/26/26 Health policy researchers and hospice administrators worry that the negative attention on the industry and potential for overly punitive regulations could put California patients and taxpayers on the losing end. “The fraud situation has done a lot of damage to the reputation of hospices overall and undone a lot of the progress that had been made in destigmatizing hospice,” said Lauren Hunt, an associate professor at the University of California at San Francisco’s Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies who focuses on hospice care. “Policymakers should pursue targeted strategies that root out fraud and abuse without overburdening the many providers who are doing the right thing.”

Hospice care helps patients stay connected to themselves  Portland Press Herald; by Carol Weir; 7/27/26We must look past the fraud and incompetence of a few bad actors and recognize the vital role played by trusted, dedicated hospice providers. [Story about caring for 14-year-old boy Jacob] I share this story because I feel strongly that hospice care in America has been dealt a rough hand recently. Outlier examples of fraud and abuse in the news overshadow the exceptional, professional, compassionate and personalized care hospice programs provide day in and day out. Without a doubt, bad actors should be eradicated from the Medicare program, and government oversight reforms are needed ... No legitimate or credible providers dispute that. But we must not lose sight of the quality care patients like Jacob are receiving from skilled, reliable, warm, nurturing and empathetic hospice teams in every corner of our country.

National Alliance for Care at Home welcomes Denis Fleming Jr. as Chief Government Affairs Officer  National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA; Press Release; 7/23/26 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) today announced longtime industry leader Denis Fleming Jr. will serve as Chief Government Affairs Officer effective August 10. Fleming is a distinguished government affairs leader bringing over two decades of experience spanning key leadership roles in Congress, with state executive bodies, and major home health and hospice companies. Most recently, Fleming served as Vice President of Federal Government Affairs with United Health Group after serving 8 years as Senior Vice President & Legislative Counsel, State and Federal Affairs at LHC Group, where he led federal and state advocacy for this national home health and hospice provider.