Literature Review
From “high potential for abuse” to “accepted medical use”: Tracking developments and possible outcomes of federal cannabis rescheduling in the U.S.
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMFrom “high potential for abuse” to “accepted medical use”: Tracking developments and possible outcomes of federal cannabis rescheduling in the U.S.JD Supra, by Jean Smith-Gonnell and Cole White; 2/7/24Whether you believe that cannabis legalization has occurred too quickly or too slowly, one thing is certain: recent developments herald a potentially seismic shift in federal cannabis policy in the U.S. ... This article aims to catch readers up on the latest developments in federal cannabis legalization.
Concurrent Medicare hospice & curative care improves quality & reduces costs 13%
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMHumana eyes $700M cuts amid $541M loss
02/09/24 at 03:00 AMHumana eyes $700M cuts amid $541M lossModern Healthcare, by Nona Tepper; 1/25/24Humana plans to trim $700 million in administrative expenses after recording a disappointing fourth quarter and 2023, the company announced Thursday. The health insurer warned investors last week that medical costs exceeded expectations in 2023. On Thursday, the company disclosed that expenses were $3 billion more than anticipated. Quarterly and annual earnings didn't meet projections amid rising costs and disadvantageous Medicare Advantage policies.
Medicare Advantage in the headlines: 9 recent updates
02/09/24 at 02:30 AMMedicare Advantage in the headlines: 9 recent updatesBecker's Payer Issues, by Rylee Wilson; 1/30/24Challenges loom for Medicare Advantage in 2024, with payers reporting rising medical costs and lower growth expectations for the year. [Click on the title's link for] nine Medicare Advantage updates Becker's has reported since Jan. 22.
Part 1, Latest updates from CMS Office of Minority Health: Rural-urban disparities in health care in Medicare
02/09/24 at 02:00 AMEnhancing rural and geographic health equity: Latest updates from CMS OMHCMS Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH); released 2/7/24
Government warns Medicare Advantage insurers not to deny care based on AI
02/09/24 at 02:00 AMGovernment warns Medicare Advantage insurers not to deny care based on AI STAT, by Casey Ross and Bob Herman; 2/7/24In recent months, the federal government has repeatedly told Medicare Advantage insurers that they cannot use artificial intelligence or algorithms to deny medical services the government routinely covers. But in finalizing a rule to that effect, it also stepped into a thicket of questions from insurers about a technology that is especially difficult to pin down: What is AI? Can it be used at all to make decisions about the coverage of older patients? If so, how?
Joint Commission CEO talks about new sustainability program for hospitals
02/08/24 at 04:02 AMJoint Commission CEO talks about new sustainability program for hospitalsChief Healthcare Executive, by Ron Southwick; 2/5/24[The Joint Commission,] which accredits thousands of healthcare organizations on a variety of health and safety issues, has just launched a voluntary certification program on sustainability. [Dr. Jonathan] Perlin, [president and CEO], says he has heard from clinicians who pushed for a program to help hospitals do better on environmental issues. ... Undoubtedly, hospitals and health systems must improve their sustainability efforts. Each day, a hospital produces a ton of waste per every 100 beds, Perlin says.
Hospice of Western Reserve plans to merge with Hospice of North Central Ohio
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMHospice of Western Reserve plans to merge with Hospice of North Central OhioCrain's Cleveland Business, by Paige Bennett; 2/6/24Hospice of the Western Reserve, a provider of palliative and end-of-life care, caregiver support and bereavement services and one of Cleveland’s largest nonprofits, intends to merge with the Hospice of North Central Ohio.
Las Vegas conference examines the impact of 'right to die' laws
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMLas Vegas conference examines the impact of 'right to die' lawsMountain West News Bureau, by Yvette Fernandez; 2/5/24A University of Nevada Las Vegas conference [discussed] "lessons learned" from U.S. states and other countries that allow medical aid in dying. Dr. David Orentlicher is head of the UNLV Health Law Program, which held the conference on Feb. 1 and 2. He said so-called "right to die" laws in the United States have very strict requirements. ... Only 10 states and the District of Columbia allow for medical aid in dying. ... As a Nevada legislator, Orentlicher was one of the co-sponsors of the “Death with Dignity” bill, SB 239, ... said the option of having a physician present could improve state laws.
Today's Encouragement: from Alice Walker
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMTime moves slowly but passes quickly. – Alice Walker
Alzheimer's: Watch for signs it's time to start hospice care
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMAlzheimer's: Watch for signs it's time to start hospice careThe Advocate, by Dana Territo; 2/5/24When is someone with dementia ready for hospice care? ... Some of the characteristics the affected individual may be exhibiting include the lack of ability to ambulate without assistance, incontinence of bowel and bladder, inability to dress and bathe properly, and speech limited to approximately a half dozen or fewer intelligible and different words. There are also intercurrent illnesses associated with advanced dementia in which hospice services would be a benefit.
Centrica Care Navigators affiliates with NorthStar Care Community
02/08/24 at 04:00 AMCentrica Care Navigators affiliates with NorthStar Care CommunityHospice News, by Jim Parker; 2/5/24Michigan-based Centrica Care Navigators has affiliated with the NorthStar Care Community, which also operates Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice. ... Post-transaction, the combined nonprofit organization will care for more than 1,800 hospice patients across 60 Michigan counties, as well as nearly 900 palliative care patients, making it one of the largest nonprofit operators in the United States, according to Kelly McCormick, CEO of Centrica.
Joint inpatient palliative care approaches may reduce length of stay in intensive care units
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMJoint inpatient palliative care approaches may reduce length of stay in intensive care unitsPhysician's Weekly; 2/7/24Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) would benefit from having an Inpatient Palliative Care (IPC) team to help them through this difficult chapter in their lives. An IPC team usually help patients manage their symptoms and pain along with providing support to them and their families and assisting with communication to ensure realistic expectations.
CalOptima to cancel contract with OC hospitals that serve homeless and low-income patients
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMCommunity steps up to donate $309K to Matthews House HospiceBradfordToday; 2/3/24Matthews House Hospice (MHH) is continually amazed by the generous support of our community. As a result of the community support, we raised over $309,000 throughout December and January for our annual holiday giving campaign. This year, the holiday campaign highlighted the impact that our community hospice programs make in the lives of our clients and their families.
AAHPM Annual Presidential Citations
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMAAHPM Annual Presidential CitationsAAHPM email (no link); 2/7/24American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) announced their three Presidential Citations of 2024 to be presented at Annual Assembly taking place from March 23-25 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Medicare Advantage plans face new rate cut under CMS proposal
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMMedicare Advantage plans face new rate cut under CMS proposalModern Healthcare, by Nona Tepper; 1/31/24The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is calling for another reduction in the Medicare Advantage base payment rate, which could further challenge health insurers struggling with rising costs. Under a proposed rule issued Wednesday, the Medicare Advantage benchmark would be 0.16% less in calendar 2025 than under current policy, excluding risk adjustment, and would mark a second consecutive year of a lower benchmark rate. The agency plans to finalize the rule by April 1.
Arizona legislators call for more transparency, improved safety in assisted living
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMArizona legislators call for more transparency, improved safety in assisted livingMcKnight's Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 1/30/24Arizona has joined a growing list of states where governments are calling for more transparency from assisted living communities through legislation following local media reports questioning resident safety in the setting.
CMS seeks input on Medicare Advantage transparency policy
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMCMS seeks input on Medicare Advantage transparency policyModern Healthcare, by Alison Bennett; 1/25/24The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants public input to guide possible future regulations to mandate greater transparency from Medicare Advantage plans, according to a request for information issued Thursday. The agency has sought to shed more light on Medicare Advantage operations and finances in recent years and required insurers to reveal information in areas such as medical loss ratio calculations, prior authorization processes, supplemental benefits and health equity.
[Home Health] Agencies score high on professionalism, lower on patients’ likelihood to recommend to others: CAHPS report
02/08/24 at 03:00 AM[Home Health] Agencies score high on professionalism, lower on patients’ likelihood to recommend to others: CAHPS reportMcKnight's Home Care, by Adam Healy; 1/30/24Home health agencies across the U.S. were graded highly on their professionalism, but many patients have indicated they might not be likely to recommend their services to others, according to the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems program’s most recent report. A total of 998,092 HHCAHPS surveys spanning more than 7,000 agencies were completed between July 2022 and June 2023, according to the report released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Former Trump health official to oversee Oracle Health
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMFormer Trump health official to oversee Oracle HealthModern Healthcare, by Brock E. W. Turner; 2/1/24Seema Verma, former administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is expanding her role at tech giant Oracle. Verma, who was CMS administrator under President Donald Trump, will serve as executive and general manager of Oracle Health.
How PBM legislation would transform the industry
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMHow PBM legislation would transform the industryModern Healthcare, by Lauren Berryman; 1/24/24The pharmacy benefit manager industry could look a lot different soon if Congress follows through with bipartisan efforts to pass bills governing the sector. PBMs such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx would face new transparency requirements that would give health insurance companies, employers, customers and regulators new insights into how they negotiate prices for prescription medicines—and how much of the savings they generate find their way to patients and plan sponsors. Pending legislation also would prohibit lucrative practices such as spread pricing.
Real aid in dying means caring for the dying, not helping them to die - Opinion
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMReal aid in dying means caring for the dying, not helping them to die - OpinionNewsweek, by F. Matthew Eppinette; 1/31/24... [Medical aide in dying is legal] in 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. As state legislatures convene for 2024, 18 states have had assisted-suicide-enabling legislation introduced, or have it pending from last year, when such legislation was introduced in 15 states. Arguments will be made that the prospect of pain at the end of life means assisted suicide should be legal. It is worth asking, however, whether legalizing assisted suicide is wise public policy. I submit that it is not, and here are four reasons why.Publisher's note: Author is Executive Director of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity; includes CAPC study reference aimed to increase palliative care.
AHRQ Stats: Largest Declines in Life Expectancy
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMAHRQ Stats: Largest Declines in Life ExpectancyAHRQ News Now; 2/6/24Between 2019 and 2021, the average life expectancy for non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native people declined by 9.2 percent, the most among any group. Average life expectancy declined by 5.3 percent for Black people, 5.1 percent for Hispanic people, 3 percent for White people, and 2.5 percent for Asian people. (Source: 2023 AHRQ National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report.)
CVS Health, academic medical center form ACO
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMCVS Health, academic medical center form ACOModern Healthcare, by Lauren Berryman; 1/25/24CVS Health and the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are partnering on an accountable care organization, they announced Thursday.
FTC sues to block proposed CHS-Novant hospital sale
02/08/24 at 03:00 AMFTC sues to block proposed CHS-Novant hospital saleModern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 1/25/24The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued to block Novant Health’s planned $320 million acquisition of two North Carolina hospitals from Community Health Systems, alleging the deal could increase costs and reduce care quality. In February, CHS and Novant signed a definitive acquisition agreement involving Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville and Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville, which is transitioning from an acute-care hospital to an inpatient behavioral health facility.