Literature Review

Staffing shortages weighing on hospice executive’s minds in 2025 Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/19/25 Hospice leaders have lost sleep over workforce pressures plaguing the industry for several years running, a trend that is not anticipated to abate anytime soon. Staffing challenges were cited as the leading concern among 35% of 112 hospice professionals who participated in this year’s Outlook Survey by Hospice News and Homecare Homebase. This represented an 18% decline compared to the 2023 survey results. ...

Part payer, part provider: VNS Health embraces the futureHome Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 2/18/25As one of the biggest home-based care organizations in New York, VNS Health is leaning into its size and capabilities. ... “Our real challenge is, how do we leverage the large number of programs and services we already offer to ensure a seamless journey through the most difficult times in a person’s life,” VNS Health CEO and President Dan Savitt told Home Health Care News. ... "Being both a payer and provider allows us an opportunity to work with people in our community throughout their health care journey." ... "We use analytics to identify home care patients with late stage conditions who can benefit from enrollment in our advanced illness management program. Then we use analytics to determine when it may be appropriate to consider moving this patient population into hospice care." 

Valley Hospice House to open Feb. 25, expanding hospice care in the region Bladen Online, Fayetteville, NC; contributed by Cape Fear Valley Health; 2/14/25 Cape Fear Valley Health is proud to announce the official opening of Valley Hospice House, a new, dedicated facility for hospice care, located at 2431 Legion Road. The facility will begin accepting patients on Tuesday, Feb. 25, providing specialized General Inpatient (GIP) Hospice Care and Respite Care in a compassionate, home-like setting. “The opening of Valley Hospice House marks a significant step forward in enhancing hospice services for our community,” said Susan Dees, Chief Nursing Executive. 

Hospice provider sues to demand denied employee retention credit Bloomberg Law; by Tristan Navera; 2/13/25 Hospice healthcare provider Passages LLC is contesting the IRS denial of a $663,000 employee retention credit, arguing that it’s eligible for the coronavirus incentive program due to the disruptions it faced during the pandemic. The New Orleans-based company said the IRS wrongly denied its claim for the ERC credit—a program that reimbursed companies for keeping workers on the payroll during the economic disruption caused by Covid-19—for one quarter of 2021. The company endured partial suspension of its operations and should qualify, it told the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Teleios announces completion of Boomer End-of-Life Care Survey Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN), Hendersonville, NC; by Tina Gentry; 2/12/25 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) announced the completion of its survey titled “What Baby Boomers Want in End-of-Life Care.” This survey aimed to gain insights into the healthcare preferences and needs of the Baby Boomer generation as they age, transition into retirement and seek end-of-life care. On February 5th, TCN’s Visioneering Council, which comprises member CEOs, C-Suite staff, and marketing managers, gathered to discuss the survey results and explore the best ways to utilize this information to enhance patient care. Before reviewing TCN’s survey findings, Matthew Wilkinson from NPHI and Bill Keane from Emergence presented results from NPHI’s “Aging and End of Life Care Survey.” Additionally, Dr. Terry Fulmer provided insights from the John A. Hartford Foundation’s survey titled “What Older Adults Want from Health Care.” TCN President and CEO Chris Comeaux said, “Over my career, we have been honored to care for the greatest generation. Now that we are at the dawn of the baby boomers being the majority of those we will be honored to care for as they enter their twilight years. Knowing what they expect, what they care about, what they do not want to worry about, all of this is such important data to ensure hospice over the next 30 years is providing an even greater service to patients and families. That’s what this study was looking to accomplish. It’s a great start in that direction.” 

It’s inoperable cancer. Should AI make call about what happens next? The Harvard Gazette - Harvard University; by Alvin Powell; 2/10/25AI is already being used in clinics to help analyze imaging data, such as X-rays and scans. But the recent arrival of sophisticated large-language AI models on the scene is forcing consideration of broadening the use of the technology into other areas of patient care. In this edited conversation with the Gazette, Rebecca Weintraub Brendel, director of Harvard Medical School’s Center for Bioethics, looks at end-of-life options and the importance of remembering that just because we can, doesn’t always mean we should. When we talk about artificial intelligence and end-of-life decision-making, what are the important questions at play? ...

'It's not about technology or dashboards': What health systems need from IT execs next Becker's Health IT; by Laura Dyrda; 2/4/25 Health system IT leaders are entering a new era of leadership amid transformational technology platform purchases, artificial intelligence integration and cybersecurity advancements. But being the most technically proficient no longer guarantees leaders the top role. ... Healthcare IT leaders can become distracted by the bells and whistles of new technology and move forward without considering the patient experience. ... Staying close to the health system's mission is critical for IT leaders, and [Christopher Hutchins, senior vice president and chief data and analytics officer at Lifepoint Health] ties the technology back to patient care. He prioritizes his teammates and colleagues, listening carefully to what they need. Notable mentions: James Forrester, Chief Technology Officer at University of Rochester (NY) Medical Center; Donna Roach, CIO of University of Utah Health; and Christopher Hutchins, senior vice president and chief data and analytics officer at Lifepoint Health 

Owners of McHenry Village restaurant have partnered with nonprofit [hospice] to open Modesto cafe The Modesto Bee, Modesto, CA; by Dominique Williams; 2/3/25 ... Cafe Verona opened to the public Monday inside Community Hospice & Health Services, a Modesto nonprofit. It is operated by executive chef Jaime Alderete and his wife, Edwarda, owners of Verona Cucina Italiana in McHenry Village and Verona18 in Copperopolis. ... The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. Its business hours are weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New report details hospice industry outlook for 2025 PR Newswire, Cleveland, OH; by WTWH Media; 1/30/25 Hospice News, a WTWH Media publication, is pleased to announce the results of its annual outlook survey on the state of the hospice and palliative care markets. Conducted in collaboration with home-based care EHR leader Homecare Homebase, the survey compiles the views of more than 100 industry professionals to uncover the key factors defining the hospice landscape in 2025. Responses come from a range of provider representatives, including owners, operators, C-suite executives, managers and staff. In summary, respondents indicated:

The Dorion Family Pediatric Center breaks ground in Mandarin Jacksonville Daily Record, Jacksonville, FL; by Dan Macdonald; 1/28/25 The hospice center is designed to expand care and convenience for children and their families. The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care broke ground Jan. 27 on the Dorion Family Pediatric Center, a pediatric hospice center in Mandarin. ... The space will allow for an expanded range of therapies and support services in a dedicated, pediatric-friendly setting. The facility will provide a centralized location that reduces travel time for the clinical team. Currently, caregivers travel to patients’ homes, the release said. ... The Dorion Family Pediatric Center is named in honor of the Dorion family, who are advocates for compassionate care. The family helped establish the organization. 

Circle of Life opens home-based care center Talk Business & Politics, Arkansas; by Talk & Politics staff; 1/28/25 Nonprofit hospice provider Circle of Life recently opened the two-story, 27,133-square-foot Joey Feek Center for Home-Based Care in Lowell after a capital campaign raised over $12.5 million. According to a news release, the center will serve 93% of the nonprofit’s patients daily. “We want to express our deep gratitude to our community, board of directors, and dedicated staff for making this expansion possible,” CEO Catherine Grubbs said. ... Dee Vaughn, chief development officer, said the campaign surpassed its $12.5 million goal and had over 350 supporters. Circle of Life has more than 170 staff based at the new center, ... 

AHHC joins other state hospice advocates in legal challenge to Special Focus Program The Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHCNC); Press Release; 1/23/25The Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHCNC) has joined a multi-state coalition of hospices and hospice associations in challenging the federal government's implementation of the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP), deeming it unlawful and arbitrary. The challengers are seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the SFP, citing patient safety concerns, misrepresentation of compliance records, and jeopardized access to high-quality end-of-life care. Congress directed CMS to establish the SFP to enhance enforcement for noncompliance hospices, but the Final Rule includes unrelated measures, heavily relying on survey data and other information not related to hospices’ compliance with Medicare requirements. Tim Rogers, President and CEO of AHHCNC, states:  "The approach CMS uses disadvantages well-established hospices and ignores Congress’s intent." [Click on the title's link to continue reading.] 

TCN podcast: The need for innovation with Meg Pekarske Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); hosted by Chris Comeaux; 1/22/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Meg Pekarske, a partner and head of the Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group at Husch Blackwell.  They discuss Meg's extensive expertise in Hospice Care, the significant challenges, and promising opportunities for growth and diversification.  Meg makes it clear that strategic planning is essential.  Adapting to shifts in the payer market and implementing legal restructuring to support new care models are critical to success.  The conversation boldly addresses the need for innovation and collaboration to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Hospice and Palliative care.  It also touches on surprising facets that reveal Meg's unique approach—she is not your average attorney.[Teleios Collaborative Network is a sponsor of our newsletter.]