Literature Review

Tapestry Hospice settles healthcare kickback claims for $1.4 million United States Attorney's Office - Northern District of Georgia; Press Release; 6/20/24 Tapestry Hospice of Northwest Georgia, LLC, and its owners and managers, David Lovell, MD, Stephanie Harbour, Ben Harbour, and Andrew Nall (collectively “Tapestry”), agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by entering into kickback arrangements with medical directors in exchange for referrals of hospice patients to Tapestry. “By entering into kickback arrangements, health care providers can cause doctors to make medical decisions that are motivated by financial gain, rather than the patient’s best interest,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our office is committed to ensuring the accountability of health care providers who put their own financial needs ahead of their patients.” “The False Claims Act settlement in this case will hopefully be a deterrent to those who selfishly evade our federal healthcare programs for their own benefit,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The message is clear, the FBI will not tolerate companies operating corporate-wide schemes to illegally line their pockets.” 

Boy, 7, takes on 145-mile challenge for hospice BBC News, Peterborough, United Kingdom; by Shariqua Ahmed; 6/15/24 A seven-year-old boy has taken on a mythical-themed challenge to raise funds for a hospice. Isaac Yates from King's Cliffe in Northamptonshire is scooting, walking and cycling 145 miles (233km) through a Lord of the Rings Virtual Conqueror Challenge for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough [United Kingdom]. His mum, Zoë Hopkinson, works as a physiotherapist at the hospice which inspired Isaac's mission as he wants to “help people who are suffering and dying.” 

Our Hospice collects food in employee-led drive The Republic; by Staff Reports; 6/20/24 Our Hospice (OHSCI) and Palliative Care collected 500 pounds of food for patients and families in need in an employee-led food drive. “The efforts, enthusiasm, and passion displayed by everyone at Our Hospice is truly astonishing!” said Chealsy Parr, a social worker who led the food drive. “Thanks to the participation of teammates from Greensburg, Columbus, the Hospice Center, Palliative Care, and North Vernon, we’ve significantly impacted those facing food insecurity.” “The employee – led food donations will go a long way to support those in our care who are in need,” said Steph Cain, president, Our Hospice and Palliative Care. [Located in Indiana] Editor's Note: Hospice leaders, how might you replicate this with your employees and volunteers, for the patients you serve? Forward this to the right person who can take this great initiative and make it happen.

Hospice of Marion County trains first responders to care for dementia patients Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/18/24 Florida-based Hospice of Marion County, an affiliate of Empath Health, is training first responders in its community on how to treat dementia patients. For several years, the nonprofit hospice has been educating family caregivers and others in their community about the experiences of dementia patients and how to better interact with them. More recently, Hospice of Marion County [Ocala, Florida] has been expanding that training to include local law enforcement and fire departments, as well as medical students and staff at assisted living facilities, among others. The training uses a series of tools to simulate symptoms of dementia, related to visual, tactile, auditory senses, their ability to process information and perform certain tasks. The education helps first responders address the unique challenges associated with caring for dementia patients, according to Dr. Mery Lossada, chief medical officer of Hospice of Marion County.Editor's Note: Bravo, Hospice of Marion County!

HHS to end Medicare pay program after Change Healthcare breach Bloomberg Law; by Tony Pugh; 6/17/24The Biden administration announced plans Monday to terminate a program that provided more than $3.2 billion in accelerated and advance Medicare payments to hospitals, physicians, and others suffering cash flow disruptions following the Change Healthcare cyberattack in February. Medicare payments under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) will end on July 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced.

Cruisin’ Zeake surpasses $100K raised for Hospice of Northwest Ohio WTVG 13 Action News, Toledo, OH; by Alexandria Manthey; 6/15/24 A classic car show on fathers day weekend is sure to have some family fun, but Saturday’s show at Levis Commons in Perrysburg meant more than that. After 14 years of raising money for Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Cruisin’ Zeake hit $100,000 raised. Zeake said his group’s car shows make up the second biggest fundraising events for the charity. They surpassed the six figure number by just $16 at Saturday’s Classic Car Show at Levis Commons. Proceeds of the 50/50 and all the money in the donation jar will benefit Hospice. “I’ve got people behind me, it’s not just Cruisin’ Zeake,” Zeake said. “The car community, they have hearts of gold. When I ask them to step up, they’re there."

East Anglia's Childrens Hospice releases heartwarming film: Ten-year-old "wants to show other children that hospice isn't a scarey place." EACH - East Anglia's Children's Hospices, United Kingdom; 6/17/24 "What's particularly special is that it was initiated by Charlotte. She told us she wanted to be part of a film, to show other children that a hospice isn't a scary place." ... A powerful new film has been released to showcase the work of a children’s hospice through the eyes of a spirited ten-year-old receiving care. Charlotte Freegard stars in the three-minute production, speaking about her experiences at The Treehouse, in Ipswich. “What’s particularly special is that it was initiated by Charlotte. “She told us she wanted to be part of a film, to show other children that a hospice isn’t a scary place. Instead, it’s somewhere they can have fun and create special memories.

Alive welcomes experienced hospice leader as new CEO: Middle Tennessee's only nonprofit hospice provider poised to build on industry-leading reputationAlive Hospice; 6/13/24Alive, Middle Tennessee’s only nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care and end-of-life services, today announced Kerry Hamilton as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer. He will begin his new role on June 24. A highly accomplished health care leader, Hamilton joins Alive with more than 20 years of direct hospice management experience, including a decade as CEO of nonprofit Hospice of Central Ohio. ... Hamilton’s hiring comes one year after news broke that Alive was considering a sale to a for-profit entity. The news led to a tremendous outpouring of support from the community for Alive to remain nonprofit. Ultimately, the Board of Directors made the decision that Alive would remain an independent nonprofit organization. The Board then began the search for a new CEO who shared its vision for the future.

Fashion for a Cause shatters another record, raises $240,000 for children’s programs: : Hospice of the Chesapeake The Baynet, Annapolis, MD; by Hospice of the Chesapeake; 6/13/24 Doing great never looked so good on June 7 as around 350 fun-loving people enjoyed perfect weather outside and perfect looks inside at the 14th annual Fashion for a Cause. Held at the Fluegel Alumni Center in Annapolis, the high-spirited crowd smashed its fundraising record, bringing in more than $240,000 for Chesapeake Kids, the Hospice of the Chesapeake program which supports children living with and affected by advanced illness and loss. Returning for his third year was emcee Bryan Nehman, cohost of C4 and Bryan Nehman weekday mornings on WBAL NewsRadio. Sharing the podium with Hospice of the Chesapeake President and CEO Becky Miller, they introduced Marie Burgess, who shared her family’s journey with the Chesapeake Kids program. Editor's Note: Congratulations Hospice of the Chesapeake on this outpouring of community support!

June is Adult Protection Awareness MonthKREX Grand Junction (CO); by Jessica Livingstone; 6/8/24June is Adult Protection Awareness Month, and Mesa County kicked this month off by tying purple ribbons around their campus to show their support for the victims. WesternSlopeNow talked to HopeWest about the resources they have to protect the community. If you’d like to know more information about HopeWest’s resources, you can call or click here.Publisher's Note: How is your hospice participating in Adult Protection Awareness Month?

Bluegrass Care Navigators hosts Pikeville Radio DayWKYT News, Lexington, KY; by Buddy Forbes; 6/11/24Bluegrass Care Navigators hosted its annual Pikeville Radio Day Tuesday, raising money and increasing awareness about its programs. The event, which partnered with Q95 FM (WQHY) in Prestonsburg, shared stories of hospice patients, outreach programs, and more. “We are raising awareness for patients and their families about what we do here at Bluegrass Care Navigators,” said Associate Director of Philanthropy Dawson Barnett. “And then also we’re raising money to support the programs that we offer, that are not funded any other way other than their support.”

Country club concert raises more than $7,500 for nonprofit mission Avow Press Release; 6/7/24 On April 28, 2024, Vineyards Country Club members gathered for a performance by Deb and the Dynamics, raising more than $7,500 to support Avow’s mission. The concert was held on the club’s green, where members relaxed on lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy tunes from the seven-piece rock and soul band, who electrified the atmosphere for the evening. “Our members and staff love Avow and all they do for the community,” says Vineyards Country Club Senior Director of Activities & Member Experience Julie Inman. “We couldn't imagine a more deserving organization to support.” This concert was not just about entertainment but also about positively impacting the patients and families touched by Avow’s services.

New partnership aims to expand hospice services in EUP [Michigan]The Sault News; by Brendan Wiesner; 6/7/24 A new partnership between local and state organizations will help support hospice services for the Sault community. Several months ago, the Chippewa County Health Department decided to close its home health and hospice division. The division committed to providing hospice services until the end of 2024 or until a new program was made available for the community. The closing of the division did not affect the hospice services at the Hospice of the EUP, but it would have limited access to hospice services that are set up in people's homes. The division also provided some support to Hospice of the EUP through clinical support.Editor's Note: We posted a related article on 6/7/24, "Collaboration looks to fill void left by closure of Hiland Cottage Hospice." However, that article highlighted "Hiland Cottage Hospice" while this one focuses on "Hospice of the EUP."