Literature Review
California’s new emergency hospice regulations: key requirements for providers
08/14/26 at 03:00 AMCalifornia’s new emergency hospice regulations: key requirements for providers JD Supra; by Margia Corner, Elicia Grilley Green, Lena Zinner; 8/13/26 For the first time in California’s history, hospice agencies have become subject to comprehensive hospice-specific licensing regulations adopted on an emergency basis and effective June 22, 2026. ... The new regulations apply to both existing licensees and new applicants, add significant new requirements for CDPH approval of transactions and other operational changes, such as the licensee’s physical location, and authorize CDPH to conduct unannounced inspections to verify compliance. Providers would benefit from reviewing their operations against the new requirements below.
CMS: Hospice claim rejections due to admission and election date edit
08/14/26 at 02:00 AMCMS: Hospice claim rejections due to admission and election date editLeading Age; 8/12/26 A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) change request prevents overpayments of long-term hospice care that took effect April 1, 2026. Unfortunately, the edit is now impacting hospice institutional claims. Medicare Administrative Contractors, Wellpoint Federal, CGS, and Palmetto, sent notices to providers that claims are failing system edits when the transfer date is populated as the admission date. The claims return with edits U5565 and U5566, preventing successful claim creation/submission. The MACs are overriding the edit and allowing the impacted claims to process.
My husband was kicked out of hospice for dying too slowly. Here's what I learned about navigating hospice care.
08/14/26 at 02:00 AMMy husband was kicked out of hospice for dying too slowly. Here's what I learned about navigating hospice care. CBS News; by Kim Clark; 8/13/26 It was mid-January 2026, and my then-73-year-old husband, Mike Salmon, had just started bouncing back from a three-month ordeal of three operations related to aortic aneurysms, sepsis, and a terrifying descent into delirium tied to a stay in the intensive care unit. ... Abruptly, we were shunted onto hospice care — the dead-end spur of the American medical system. ... Mike joined that select group. His experience in and out of the hospice system revealed surprising lessons about how families can manage care. And getting removed from hospice revealed a little-known process that can represent a welcome respite for families like ours — but can be devastating for patients with serious chronic illnesses. Here's what we learned in our four months on and off hospice. ...
NPHI announces “Care You Can Trust” as 2026 National Hospice and Palliative Care Month theme
08/14/26 at 02:00 AMNPHI announces “Care You Can Trust” as 2026 National Hospice and Palliative Care Month theme National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; Press Release; 8/12/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) today announced “Care You Can Trust” as the national theme for Hospice and Palliative Care Month 2026, observed throughout November. This year’s campaign will focus on helping patients, families and communities better understand what high-quality hospice and palliative care looks like — and recognizing the dedicated professionals and organizations providing that care every day. At a time when stories of fraud and abuse within the hospice sector have received significant national attention, NPHI believes it is of paramount importance for the public to hear the stories of providers who are delivering care the right way: delivering compassionate, high-quality care, supporting families during some of life’s most difficult moments and serving as trusted and respected partners in their communities.
Key trends and implications in healthcare AI adoption
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMKey trends and implications in healthcare AI adoption FTI Consulting; 8/11/26... In partnership with Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (“HIMSS”), FTI Consulting conducted a detailed assessment of health system perspectives1 and AI utilization to better understand how organizations are navigating this rapidly evolving landscape and where meaningful value is actually being realized. ... Figure 1: Three-Quarters of Healthcare Leaders Believe AI Will Fundamentally Change Care Delivery in the Next Few Years; Many Also Believe AI Has the Potential To Materially Reduce the Costs of Delivering Healthcare. ...Figure 2: What Are the Most Important Objectives Driving Your Organization’s Investments in Artificial Intelligence Technologies? ...Figure 3: Thinking About the Areas in Which Your Organization Has Implemented AI, Which Have Delivered the Strongest Results in Helping You Achieve Each of the Following Objectives? ... Figure 4: Example Value Prioritization Framework for AI Implementation in Healthcare Source: FTI Consulting ...
New York clarifies Medicaid moratorium and ownership changes
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMNew York clarifies Medicaid moratorium and ownership changesJD Supra; by Abygail Hoey, Max Lubin, Joseph Parise, Steven Schnelle; 8/11/26 Following the publication of McDermott Will & Schulte’s August 4, 2026, client alert, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) announced that it had received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a plan (the DOH Medicaid Plan) to revamp New York’s Medicaid provider enrollment and revalidation processes in order to improve oversight of the New York Medicaid program. The DOH Medicaid Plan contains information regarding, among other things, new risk designations for certain types of providers, a new Medicaid revalidation process, and the moratorium on Medicaid enrollment for certain types of providers.
The healthcare partnership nobody is talking about: hospice + FQHCs | part one
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMThe healthcare partnership nobody is talking about: hospice + FQHCs | part one Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast hosted by Chris Comeaux with Kyle Ahlenstorf; 8/12/26 What if one of hospice’s most valuable community partners has been hiding in plain sight? In Part One of The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs, Chris Comeaux sits down with Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health, to explore the largely untapped opportunity for hospice and palliative care organizations to build meaningful partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Kyle brings more than a decade of clinical and executive healthcare experience, with a particular focus on rural healthcare, access, and sustainable patient-centered care. Kyle breaks down what FQHCs actually are, whom they serve, and why their mission aligns so naturally with hospice and palliative care.
Local philanthropy ensures dignified death for all
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMLocal philanthropy ensures dignified death for allThe Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, CO; by Jace Dicola; 8/8/26It’s no surprise that the majority of Americans want to die in their home, comfortable and without financially burdening others. Satisfying all three criteria can be easier said than done; however, end-of-life care providers are a reliable solution for most people, since they typically deliver care in-home, focus on patient comfort and accept most insurance. But when it comes to people who are unhoused or uninsured, hospice care is often far from guaranteed. ... That reality looks different in much of western Colorado, primarily because of hospice and palliative care provider HopeWest.
Palliative care consults for the oldest-old: A retrospective study of referral patterns, patient characteristics, and clinical outcomes
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMPalliative care consults for the oldest-old: A retrospective study of referral patterns, patient characteristics, and clinical outcomes Geriatric Nursing; by John Cameron, Kalli Stilos, Anita Chakraborty; 8/11/26Objective: This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of patients aged 90 and older (the oldest-old) receiving inpatient palliative care consultation at a tertiary care hospital, to identify gaps and opportunities to improve care. ... Conclusion: Referrals for specialist palliative care in the oldest-old occur late in hospitalization, predominantly among those with non-cancer illnesses and poor functional status. Systemic changes, including the use of prognostication tools and enhanced collaboration between geriatric and palliative care services, are needed. Nurses are pivotal in advocating for earlier advance care planning (ACP) and identifying patients who would benefit from timely palliative integration to ensure goal-concordant care.
Flight of the Dove marks 21st year with 204 riders and more than $50,000 raised
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMFlight of the Dove marks 21st year with 204 riders and more than $50,000 raised Laurens County Buzz, Laurens, SC; by Staff; 8/10/26 Laurens County’s 21st annual Flight of the Dove drew 204 registered riders to Clinton on Aug. 1 and raised more than $50,000 in support of hospice care in Laurens County. Riders traveled from six states to take part, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and Texas. The oldest registered rider was 83 and the youngest was 20. Of those registered, 150 were men and 54 were women. The ride was supported by 51 volunteers stationed at the stadium and at rest stops along the route, along with 26 volunteer motorcycles.
Can a short-term moratorium strengthen the hospice sector?
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMCan a short-term moratorium strengthen the hospice sector? LeadingAge; by Katie Smith Sloan; 8/11/26 President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan explains why LeadingAge supported the six-month moratorium on Medicare enrollment of new hospice providers and what nonprofit providers can do to strengthen the hospice sector.Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend a community theater production of the iconic musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” In a series of unforgettable scenes, Tevye, the production’s main character, makes difficult family decisions by artfully balancing opposing views before choosing his path. “On the one hand,” he intones, then ruminates on the important role tradition must play in the life of his village and family. “On the other hand,” he counters thoughtfully, then acknowledges that the inevitability of change must be factored into every decision.I’ve recalled Tevye’s internal monologue many times since May, when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a six-month national moratorium on enrolling new hospice agencies in Medicare. ...
There's nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as ...
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMThere's nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor. ~ Charles Dickens
35 Home-based care companies earn a spot on Inc. 5000 list
08/13/26 at 03:00 AM35 Home-based care companies earn a spot on Inc. 5000 listHome Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 8/11/26 As the U.S. healthcare landscape shifts into the home, home-based care providers are emerging as some of the nation’s most dramatic growth stories. Evidence of this momentum is found on the Inc. 5000 2026 ranking, which featured 35 home-based care organizations as among the fastest-growing private companies in the country. CareChoice, Complete Care Management Services, HealthView Home Healthcare Services and Archer Health are just a few examples of companies that earned a spot on this year’s list. The home-based care companies that made the list offer a range of in-home services, from personal home care and home health to technologies and specialized service lines.
HomeCare & Hospice golf tournament raises $5,500 for hospice care
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMHomeCare & Hospice golf tournament raises $5,500 for hospice care The Batvian, Batvia, NY; by Staff Writer; 8/11/26 HomeCare & Hospice Foundation announced this week that its Second Annual Martha M. Spinnegan Batavia Hospice Golf Classic raised $5,500 to support hospice care across Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. An additional $500 was presented to the Jerome Foundation to support the Martha M. Spinnegan Nursing Scholarship, helping future nurses pursue careers in caring for others. The tournament, held June 23 at Terry Hills Golf Course, drew a full field of 24 foursomes, an increase of eight teams over the inaugural event in 2025.
Regulatory hurdles slowing hospice acquisitions
08/13/26 at 03:00 AMRegulatory hurdles slowing hospice acquisitionsHospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/10/26 Regulatory uncertainty has been one of the biggest factors influencing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the home health and hospice sectors. In this interview, Cory Mertz, managing partner with the M&A advisory firm Mertz Taggart, discusses how the proposed home health payment rule, heightened regulatory scrutiny and compliance expectations are affecting deal activity, as well as the trends shaping the market in 2026.
Home health aide pay 2026: $17.36/hr average, top states & policy threat to your paycheck
08/13/26 at 02:00 AMHome health aide pay 2026: $17.36/hr average, top states & policy threat to your paycheck Unfinished Man; by Rasha; 8/11/26 The average home health aide makes $36,120 a year, or $17.36 an hour — but pay varies widely by state, setting, and a proposed federal rule change. You search “home health aide salary” and get three different numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says one thing, Payscale says another, and the Labor Department median sits somewhere in between. Which one do you trust? ... Some aides earn barely above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Others clear $20 an hour. And right now, there’s a policy fight happening that could change everything about how this job pays.
Chapters Health System announces expansion of care in Sarasota County
08/12/26 at 03:15 AMChapters Health System announces expansion of care in Sarasota County PR Newswire, Temple Terrace, FL; by Chapters Health System; 8/11/26 Chapters Health System announced that it received another certificate of need to develop a Chapters Health Hospice program in Sarasota County in Florida. The award expands the organization's footprint and offers the chance to bring industry-leading chronic illness care to the Sarasota community. ... Chapters Health provides hospice care for more than 21,000 individuals each year across Florida through its comprehensive care model, ... Thanks to the support of the Chapters Health Foundation, the organization also provides more than $10 million in charitable and uncompensated care each year to those in need.
Judge denies states’ motion to postpone Medicaid work requirement
08/12/26 at 03:00 AMJudge denies states’ motion to postpone Medicaid work requirement STAT, Boston, MA; by Anil Oza; 8/30/26 [On 7/30] a federal judge denied 26 states’ request to postpone the implementation of Medicaid work requirements announced in June. The case seeks to alter a piece of one of President Trump’s biggest legislative priorities. The suit is focused on the implementation of a work requirement for people who receive Medicaid, the details of which were issued in June with the target of implementing the changes by Jan. 1. But states must also communicate with Medicaid recipients by Aug. 31 regarding how the changes may affect those enrollees.
Rural health is having a moment. But it still doesn’t feel like enough.
08/12/26 at 03:00 AMRural health is having a moment. But it still doesn’t feel like enough. HealthIT Answers; by Amy Oliver; 8/9/26Rural health is having a moment. There is $50 billion in federal transformation funding on the table, a wave of state legislation moving through capitols with a trail of confusion, and a public comment period on Medicaid work requirements that recently closed. Layer on the webinars, panels, policy briefs, and LinkedIn posts about rural hospitals, and it is more attention than I have seen in my fifteen years in this industry. ... If you work at a health system or a rural hospital and you are living the gap between what the policy assumes and what your systems can actually do, I would really like to hear from you. I am talking to CIOs, clinicians, and administrators for the next piece in this series, and off the record is completely fine. amy@azulheart.com
[England] 'Magical' hospice unit opens after £16m revamp
08/12/26 at 03:00 AM[England] 'Magical' hospice unit opens after £16m revamp BBC News, West Yorkshire, England; by Cara Thorpe and Jack Conlon; 8/4/26 A new hospice facility which aims to "transform" the care given to patients and their families has opened its doors in West Yorkshire. The £15.8m inpatient unit at Overgate Hospice in Elland has taken two years to build after a previous eight years of planning. ... The new hospice building includes:
When you support your child's dreams, you teach them to ...
08/12/26 at 03:00 AMWhen you support your child's dreams, you teach them to dream bigger.
What to say to someone who is dying, according to hospice workers
08/12/26 at 03:00 AMWhat to say to someone who is dying, according to hospice workers Time; by Angela Haupt; 8/5/26 In the weeks before Her father died, Sydney Mishkin kept trying to figure out what she still hadn’t told him. She felt desperate to identify the words she might one day regret leaving unsaid. ... “How do you sum up a lifetime of loving somebody into a sentence or two?” she says. ... The answer, according to people who spend their careers alongside the dying, is that you don’t have to. There are words that can bring comfort, invite honesty, and help both of you find peace. But there’s no perfect script—and your presence likely matters more than anything you manage to say.
How California’s hospice industry spiraled out of control — and cost millions in fraud
08/12/26 at 03:00 AMHow California’s hospice industry spiraled out of control — and cost millions in fraud Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles, CA; by Jason Henry; 8/9/26 A quiet change in California law in 2018 unleashed a deluge of new hospices and spurred millions of dollars in Medicare fraud that state and federal authorities are still trying to unwind. ... It all started with three paragraphs added, at the request of the California Department of Public Health, to the end of an omnibus bill in 2018. CDPH had a backlog of 72 applications for hospice licenses at the time and wanted legislators to provide an alternative to a major bottleneck: its own inspectors. Under SB 1495, hospices could choose to pay a third-party accrediting organization for the inspection needed for a license, instead of waiting weeks or months for the next available state employee. ... Unlike a restaurant, which must undergo fire, building and health inspections, the vast majority of hospices in California could suddenly obtain a license, and even approval to bill Medicare, without a public employee stepping foot on the property. ...
3 big questions to ask your aging parents
08/12/26 at 03:00 AM3 big questions to ask your aging parents Morningstar; by Amy C. Arnott, CFA; 5/5/26 One of the toughest things to go through as an adult is helping your parents as they get older. The elephant in the room is that life is finite, and both you and your parents might be reluctant to talk about what type of support they might need as they get older. But as difficult as these conversations can be, it’s important to make time for them. Eldercare attorney Harry Margolis recommends age 75 as the best time to start talking to your parents about finances and caregiving issues. ...
Nonprofit announces new 'challenge grant,' matching every dollar donated through year-end up to $300K
08/12/26 at 03:00 AMNonprofit announces new 'challenge grant,' matching every dollar donated through year-end up to $300K Steamboat Pilot & Today, Steamboat Springs, CO; by Julia Coccaro; 8/10/26 Northwest Colorado Health has raised nearly $800,000 toward its first-year fundraising goal for home health and hospice services since the campaign’s October 2025 launch, and a newly announced $300,000 matching grant could push the nonprofit past its target by year-end. Chief Executive Officer Steph Einfeld shared the fundraising update with the Steamboat Springs City Council at its meeting last week, framing the nonprofit’s home health and hospice programs as essential infrastructure that enables residents to remain safely at home rather than relying on hospitals, emergency services or out-of-area facilities.