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All posts tagged with “Headlines.”
Today's 10-Second Question (Dec 2024)
12/15/24 at 03:10 AMToday's 10-Second Question (Dec 2024)What hospice or palliative care stories or trends do you predict we'll see in 2025? Themes might include clinical, quality, regulatory, reimbursement, ethics, heartwarming, etc. (Click the link above to participate! Responses will be shared in January.)
Regulators extend some telemedicine flexibilities, gauge telehealth’s ‘new path forward’ in hospice
12/15/24 at 03:05 AMRegulators extend some telemedicine flexibilities, gauge telehealth’s ‘new path forward’ in hospice Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 12/4/24 Regulators recently extended certain temporary telemedicine waivers granted during the pandemic, with some flexibilities now sunsetting in 2025 rather than the end of this year. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced the extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications until Dec. 31, 2025. ... The move was made in response to feedback the agencies received from more than 38,000 comments and two days of public listening sessions. The extension allows for more time to consider a “new path forward” for telemedicine, according to the DEA and HHS. “We continue to carefully consider the input received and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations,” the agencies stated in an announcement. “With the end of 2024 quickly approaching, DEA, jointly with HHS, has extended current telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2025.” The temporary rule, entitled as the Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications, was recently submitted to the Federal Register and will take effect/become effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Two states lead the pack on palliative care access, many lag behind
12/15/24 at 03:00 AMTwo states lead the pack on palliative care access, many lag behind Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/10/24 Two states — Massachusetts and Oregon — rise above the rest when it comes to access to palliative care. This is according to the new rankings from the Center to Advance Palliative Care, America’s Readiness to Meet the Needs of People with Serious Illness Scorecard. The scorecard ranks each state’s capacity to deliver high-quality care to people facing serious illness on a five-star scale by evaluating five domains, according to Stacie Sinclair, the associate director for policy and care transformation at the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). To develop the scorecard, CAPC applied an updated methodology that considers metrics beyond those used in previous reports, which only examined the availability of palliative care in hospitals with 50 beds or more.
Alliance Insurance collecting snacks for hospice homes
12/13/24 at 03:00 AMAlliance Insurance collecting snacks for hospice homes The Mount Airy News; 12/11/24 Alliance Insurance Services is collecting snacks for Mountain Valley’s in-patient hospice homes located in Dobson and Yadkinville until Monday, Dec. 23. “I know how valuable it is to our community to have a hospice home, and we want these families to have everything they need while staying there with a loved one,” said Christopher Cook, owner of Alliance Insurance Services. “We need to give back to our community, especially during the holiday season, and this is a good way to do that.” “Both hospice homes have special rooms where family members of patients can take a break, or even fix a meal for themselves,” said Melissa Hiatt, executive director of United Fund of Surry. “Stocking their pantry will mean so much to each family.” [List of items needed.]Editor's note: Hospice leaders, you still have time to replicate this, especially in time for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Remember to include kosher items for Jewish patients and families, as Hanukkah 2024 starts on December 25 and ends on January 2.
Watch: ‘Going It Alone’ — A conversation about growing old in America
12/13/24 at 03:00 AMWatch: ‘Going It Alone’ — A conversation about growing old in AmericaKFF Health News; by Judith Graham; 12/11/24 KFF Health News’ “Navigating Aging” columnist, Judith Graham, spent six months this year talking to older adults who live alone by choice or by circumstance — most commonly, a spouse’s death. They shared their hopes and fears, challenges, and strategies for aging solo. Graham moderated a live event on Dec. 11, hosted by KFF Health News and The John A. Hartford Foundation. She invited five seniors ranging in age from 71 to 102 and from across the country — from Seattle; Chicago; Asheville, North Carolina; New York City; and rural Maine — to talk candidly about the ways they are thriving at this stage of life.
Today's 10-Second Question (Dec 2024)
12/12/24 at 03:00 AMToday's 10-Second Question 12/24What hospice or palliative care stories or trends do you predict we'll see in 2025? Themes might include clinical, quality, regulatory, reimbursement, ethics, heartwarming, etc. (Click the link above to participate! Responses will be shared in January.)
The politics of loss: What grief reveals
12/11/24 at 03:00 AMThe politics of loss: What grief reveals Psychology Today; by Daniela E. Miranda, PhD; 12/10/24 It has been a bit over two years since my 27-year-old brother unexpectedly passed away, exactly two weeks before my 64-year-old father, quickly and expectedly, died from cancer. What followed was a series of “secondary losses”. For my family, secondary losses included the shifting dynamics of caregiving and the emotional labor required to rebuild a daily life after multiple losses, while permanently uprooting to a different country. This article is not about my grief but about how the experience of loss can illuminate the fractures and possibilities within our systems of care. ... Key points:
Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO brings resentment of the health care system to the fore
12/09/24 at 03:00 AMKilling of UnitedHealthcare CEO brings resentment of the health care system to the fore STAT Business, Boston, MA; by Bob Herman and Tara Bell; 12/6/24 The targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has become a defining moment in the zeitgeist of American health care. The attack was a tragedy that adds to the country’s grim tally of gun deaths. But instead of eliciting sympathy, it opened the floodgates for an outpouring of rage, captured across social media and online forums, over the health care system — one that charges people the highest prices in the world, erects financial and bureaucratic barriers to getting care, and has plunged millions of people into debt. Social media posts have ranged from mournful to apathetic to joyful, including morbid celebrations of Thompson’s death. That deluge has forced people across the country to grapple with two heavy subjects at once: the callousness of a slaying, and an undercurrent of deep-seated anger at a health care industry that makes a lot of money by exploiting Americans. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]
AI can’t worry about patients, and a clinical ethicist says that matters
12/08/24 at 03:55 AMAI can’t worry about patients, and a clinical ethicist says that mattersJAMA; Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH; Jennifer Abbasi; 11/24This conversation is part of a series of interviews in which JAMA Network editors and expert guests explore issues surrounding the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and medicine. Today, Hull is an associate professor and serves as associate director of the biomedical ethics program at Yale, where her clinical practice focuses on echocardiography and cardiac care of patients with cancer. She spoke about ethical boundaries for using AI in the clinic in a recent conversation with Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, an associate editor at JAMA and the newly launched JAMA+ AI and an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco. Medicine is, they remind the reader, “as much art as science, as much a moral endeavor as a technical one.”
CGS Administrators, LLC, did not reopen and recalculate most selected hospices’ caps for years prior to 2020
12/08/24 at 03:50 AMCGS Administrators, LLC, did not reopen and recalculate most selected hospices’ caps for years prior to 2020 USA HHS Ofice of Inspector General (OIG), Washington, DC; issued 11/27/24, posted 12/4/24Why OIG Did This Audit: ... Our audit determined whether CGS accurately calculated cap amounts and collected cap overpayments in accordance with CMS requirements. This audit is part of a series that reviewed MAC calculations and collections of hospice aggregate and inpatient cap overpayments.What OID Recommends: [... that CGS]
[KY] Attorney General Russell Coleman files lawsuit against Optum Rx for role in opioid epidemic
12/08/24 at 03:45 AM[KY] Attorney General Russell Coleman files lawsuit against Optum Rx for role in opioid epidemic Northern Kentucky Tribune - Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism; 12/1/24 The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has announced its latest lawsuit against a corporation behind the worst man-made epidemic in modern medical history. Attorney General Russell Coleman added Optum Rx and its affiliates to the list of those responsible for the opioid crisis. ... According to the Attorney General’s lawsuit, Optum Rx played a central role in the reckless promotion, dispensing, and oversupply of opioids. ... “Defendants have hidden their conduct through non-transparent business practices and by requiring each entity with whom they conduct business, such as opioid manufacturers, to enter into confidentiality agreements or otherwise keep their agreements confidential,” said the lawsuit. “No state has been harder hit by the drug crisis than Kentucky. Last year alone, nearly 2,000 Kentuckians died of a drug overdose,” Attorney General Coleman said. “These groups pushed a profit-fueled agenda at the expense of Kentucky families, who are left with empty seats at the dinner table. Our Office will continue to hold those behind the drug crisis accountable for their devastating actions.”
Addus closes $350M Gentiva Personal Care deal
12/08/24 at 03:40 AMAddus closes $350M Gentiva Personal Care deal Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/2/24 Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) has closed its $350 million acquisition of Gentiva’s personal care business. Gentiva’s personal care segment brings in annual revenues of close to $280.0 million. Post-transaction, Addus will continue with a leverage ratio of less than 3x, with the ability to further that amount with the influx of revenue resulting from this deal, Addus Chairman and CEO Dirk Allision said in a statement. ... Addus provides personal care, home health and hospice to more than 48,500 patients across 22 states. Its total revenue reached $289.8 million in the Q3 of 2024, a 7% year-over-year increase. Its personal care revenues reached $215.4 million that period.
Court Orders VitalCaring to place 43% of profits into trust for Encompass Health
12/08/24 at 03:35 AMCourt Orders VitalCaring to place 43% of profits into trust for Encompass Health Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/3/24 A federal judge in Delaware has ordered home health and hospice provider VitalCaring Group and its private equity backers to share future profits with Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC). The case has a long circuitous history that dates back to 2022 when Encompass Health spinned off its home health and hospice business as a standalone company, now known as Enhabit Inc. (NYSE: EHAB) brand. At the time, VitalCaring CEO April Anthony was CEO of the Encompass home-based case segment. “Encompass is entitled to one recovery,” a court opinion indicated. “That recovery takes the form of an equitable payment stream of VitalCaring’s future profits to be administered via a constructive trust, certain mitigation damages, and attorneys’ fee.” The court ordered that 43% of VitalCaring’s future profits be placed in trust to benefit Encompass. The remaining 57% would go to VitalCaring’s private equity backers, the Vistria Group and Nautic Partners.
Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of urinary tract infections in pediatrics and adults-A WikiGuidelines group consensus statement
12/08/24 at 03:30 AMGuidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of urinary tract infections in pediatrics and adults-A WikiGuidelines group consensus statementJAMA Network Open; Zachary Nelson, PharmD, MPH; Abdullah Tarık Aslan, MD; Nathan P. Beahm, PharmD; Michelle Blyth, MD, MSPH; Matthew Cappiello, MD; Danielle Casaus, PharmD; Fernando Dominguez, MD; Susan Egbert, PharmD; Alexandra Hanretty, PharmD; Tina Khadem, PharmD; Katie Olney, PharmD; Ahmed Abdul-Azim, MD; Gloria Aggrey, MD; Daniel T. Anderson, PharmD; Mariana Barosa, MD, MSc; Michael Bosco, PharmD; Elias B. Chahine, PharmD; Souradeep Chowdhury, MBBS; Alyssa Christensen, PharmD; Daniela de Lima Corvino, MD; Margaret Fitzpatrick, MD, MS; Molly Fleece, MD; Brent Footer, PharmD; Emily Fox, PharmD; Bassam Ghanem, PharmD, MS; Fergus Hamilton, MRCP, PhD; Justin Hayes, MD, MPH; Boris Jegorovic, MD, PhD; Philipp Jent, MD; Rodolfo Norberto Jimenez-Juarez, MD; Annie Joseph, MBBS; Minji Kang, MD; Geena Kludjian, PharmD; Sarah Kurz, MD; Rachael A. Lee, MD, MSPH; Todd C. Lee, MD, MPH; Timothy Li, MBChB; Alberto Enrico Maraolo, MD, MSc; Mira Maximos, PharmD, MSc, ACPR; Emily G. McDonald, MD, MSc; Dhara Mehta, PharmD; Justin William Moore, PharmD, MS; Cynthia T. Nguyen, PharmD; Cihan Papan, MD; Akshatha Ravindra, MD; Brad Spellberg, MD; Robert Taylor, PhD; Alexis Thumann, PharmD; Steven Y. C. Tong, MBBS (Hons), PhD; Michael Veve, PharmD, MPH; James Wilson, DO; Arsheena Yassin, PharmD; Veronica Zafonte, PharmD; Alfredo J. Mena Lora, MD; 11/24Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections globally, notably impacting patient quality of life and posing substantial clinical and economic challenges. In this third WikiGuidelines consensus statement, we provide an evidence-based approach to UTI management developed by a global network of experts for practical use across diverse clinical settings. This guideline fills a critical gap by providing pragmatic, broadly applicable recommendations tailored for generalist care and systems-based practice. Our guidance is rooted in the best available evidence and is designed for clinicians from various backgrounds and health care environments. It emphasizes a patient-centered approach to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of UTIs and related genitourinary infections.
18 questions for CEOs to ask themselves
12/08/24 at 03:25 AM18 questions for CEOs to ask themselves Becker's Hospital Review; by Molly Gamble; 11/25/24 McKinsey senior partners developed a CEO performance questionnaire informed by in-depth interviews with more than 70 successful chief executives across industries. The checklist is meant to assess CEOs' performance in six dimensions: setting direction, aligning the organization, mobilizing through leaders, engaging the board, connecting with stakeholders and managing personal effectiveness. "Sure, CEOs have an abundance of financial, operational, and organizational metrics to look at, but what CEOs should be doing to influence those metrics wasn't exactly clear," the authors noted. The checklist serves as both a self-assessment tool and a framework for gathering honest feedback from board members, executives and trusted advisors. [Click on the title's link for] a condensed list of the questions, with commentary and more explanation of each available in the full article from McKinsey here. [Questions address:] 1. Vision. ... 2. Strategy. ... 3. Resource allocation. ... 4. Culture. ... 5. Organizational Design. ... 6. Talent. ... 7. Team composition. ... 8. Teamwork. ... [More]
705 hospitals at risk of closure, state by state
12/08/24 at 03:20 AM705 hospitals at risk of closure, state by stateBecker's Hospital CFO Report; by Molly Gamble; 11/22/24 More than 700 rural U.S. hospitals are at risk of closure due to financial problems, with more than half of those hospitals at immediate risk of closure. The count comes from the latest analysis from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, which is based on CMS's October 2024 hospital financial information. The center's analysis reveals two distinct levels of vulnerability among rural healthcare facilities: risk of closure and immediate risk of closure. ... The report also analyzes hospitals facing immediate threat of closure meaning financial reserves could offset losses on patient services for two to three years at most. Currently, 364 rural hospitals are at immediate risk of shutting down due to severe financial difficulties. [Click on the title's link for] a state-by-state listing of the number of rural hospitals at risk of closure in the next six to seven years and at immediate risk of closure over the next two to three years. Editor's note: Consider how these closures impact patients' trajectories of serious illness, timely treatment plans, referrals to home health, nursing facilities, and hospice care. How do these impact your service areas? What are the root causes for so many potential closures?
All-inclusive elder care for aging at home: This nursing home alternative is on the rise
12/08/24 at 03:15 AMAll-inclusive elder care for aging at home: This nursing home alternative is on the rise Caring.com; by Dom DiFurio; 11/25/2024 ... PACE centers, or Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. As of August 2024, 177 programs across 33 states and the District of Columbia are in operation, allowing aging people to stay within their home communities while still receiving the elevated care they would need as older adults living with disabilities or chronic illnesses. A PACE facility is a kind of "one-stop shop" that offers services like dental care, social services, occupational therapy, prescription medication, and nutritional counseling. ... Caring.com examined data maintained by the National PACE Association to see which states have the most programs available to serve their aging populations and how they can impact the quality of care for adults who want to live independently outside a clinical setting for as long as possible. ... Several states are also undergoing trials, expansion, or establishing new PACE programs for their aging residents. Minnesota and South Dakota are considering starting PACE programs. Nevada is in the process of establishing its own program after using COVID-19 funding to experiment with the system to address the health needs of people ages 55 and older who need nursing facility-level care but can still live safely in their communities. Georgia's governor also signed a bill into law earlier this year creating the state's first PACE.
[CAPC] 2024 Serious Illness Scorecard
12/08/24 at 03:05 AM[CAPC] 2024 Serious Illness ScorecardCenter to Advance Palliative Care press release; 12/4/24America’s readiness to meet the needs of people with serious illness. A state-by-state look at palliative care capacity. How does your state rate? How can I improve my state’s rating? Download the full report.
Giving Tuesday is tomorrow!
12/08/24 at 03:00 AMGiving Tuesday is tomorrow! [There's still time!]We'd like to highlight several ways you can particpate in Giving Tuesday tomorrow, including:
UnitedHealthcare CEO's slaying adds tragic twist to parent company's tumultuous year
12/06/24 at 03:00 AMUnitedHealthcare CEO's slaying adds tragic twist to parent company's tumultuous year CBS News WCCO, Minneapolis, MN; by Beret Leone, Stephen Swanson; 12/5/24 Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare Group Inc. has faced a firestorm of controversy this year. And as investigators search for a motive in the slaying of Brian Thompson, CEO of its insurance arm, they aren't counting anything out. Between a software attack, protests, lawsuits and layoffs by one of its subsidiaries, Thompson's killing adds a tragic end to a troubled year for the company. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]
National Alliance for Care at Home welcomes Sherl Brand as new COO
12/06/24 at 02:00 AMNational Alliance for Care at Home welcomes Sherl Brand as new COO The National Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 12/5/24 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is proud to announce the addition of a proven leader, Sherl Brand, RN, BSN, who will be joining the Alliance as its first Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective the middle of January 2025. Sherl Brand comes to the Alliance with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in nursing, association management, and health care management. Prior to joining the Alliance, Sherl has been serving as Senior Vice President for Hospice Care at VNS Health. Before that, Sherl held senior positions at CareCentrix and VNA Health Group. Sherl served as chair of the Forum of State Associations for almost four years, and as President and CEO of Home Care Association of New Jersey for seven years. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice and the Home Care 100 Advisory Board. “Sherl’s leadership experience and history of successful management of trade associations and home care and hospice organizations make her a perfect fit for the Alliance,” said Alliance CEO Dr. Steven Landers. “I am honored, and deeply grateful, for the opportunity to serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the National Alliance for Care at Home,” said Sherl.
Top News Stories of the Month Nov 2024 - TCN Podcast
12/05/24 at 03:00 AMTop News Stories of the Month Nov 2024 - TCN Podcast Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Mark Cohen; 12/4/24 What if the future of Hospice and Palliative Care depends on understanding the intricacies of industry integration and regulation? Join us for an insightful journey through November's most compelling stories that have captured the attention of Hospice and Palliative Care Today's readership. Our conversation reveals the significant impact of national events, from elections to regulatory changes, on shaping news cycles and industry priorities. Also, rising workforce demands and political changes, such as immigration restrictions, paint a concerning picture for the future labor pool in Hospice Care. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the month's key themes that may have been missed, like tackling issues from CMS payment cuts to the Justice Department's stance on UnitedHealthcare Group's acquisition of Amedisys. This episode is a must-listen for those seeking a deeper understanding of the critical yet often overlooked issues in Hospice and Palliative Care today, and Mark delivers another excellent masterclass on creating compelling headlines.
[CAPC] 2024 Serious Illness Scorecard
12/05/24 at 02:30 AM[CAPC] 2024 Serious Illness ScorecardCenter to Advance Palliative Care press release; 12/4/24America’s readiness to meet the needs of people with serious illness. A state-by-state look at palliative care capacity. How does your state rate? How can I improve my state’s rating? Download the full report.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in New York City, reports say
12/05/24 at 02:00 AMUnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in New York City, reports say USA Today; by Christopher Cann; 12/4/24, updated 11:11 am ET The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest insurance providers in the nation, was fatally shot Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan, where the company was hosting an investors conference, multiple news outlets reported, citing police sources. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot just before 7 a.m. near the hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, the New York Post, New York Times and WPIX reported. UnitedHealth did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department who declined to be identified by name told USA TODAY a 50-year-old man was fatally shot outside the hotel, but did provide the victim's name, saying the department was waiting to notify the family.