Literature Review

How Health Equity Payment Models Are Impacting Hospice Staff DiversityHospice NewsDecember 8, 2023Recent health equity initiatives in hospice reimbursement may reverberate impacts into providers’ staff recruitment and retention strategies, particularly when it comes to leadership roles. ... While equity-focused reimbursement channels like ACO REACH hold promise in helping to reduce disparities, unknowns exist around how providers should shape their care delivery approaches and where to pour operational and financial resources, according to Hospice of Acadiana CEO Keith Everett. ... A key for hospices to understand about health equity payment programs is that strategies to improve disparities can come in a variety of ways, which can be both a challenge and opportunity for providers, Everett said. ... One area of focus is to grow a more diverse employee base—not just in terms of interdisciplinary staff who interact with patients and families, but also among leadership teams, according to André Lee, co-founder and administrator of Heart ‘n Soul Hospice. ... Community collaborations are key to knowing where to search for hospice professionals from diverse backgrounds, according to Agrace Hospice & Supportive Care CEO Lynne Sexten.

South Arkansas Regional Hospital announces new inpatient hospice servicesBanner News (Magnolia, AR)December 8, 2023Magnolia, AR—South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado now offers general inpatient hospice services in partnership with Arkansas Hospice, the state’s largest non-profit provider of hospice care. The new service, which went into effect Dec. 1, demonstrates both organizations’ commitment to meeting the comprehensive healthcare needs of the community and ensuring compassionate care for patients and their families. ... With this GIP partnership, Arkansas Hospice will augment the direct patient care provided by South Arkansas Regional Hospital with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains to support patients and families during this challenging time. In addition, GIP patients will have access to dedicated family rooms designed to create a welcoming environment and ensure the comfort and privacy of patients and their loved ones, according to a press release issued by SARH. 

‘Rock Your Ugly Sweater’ event raised money for Hospice of SiouxlandKTIV-TV (Sioux City, IA)December 7, 2023Sioux City, IA—Christmas is just days away, and one local non-profit combined the spirit of Christmas with raising money for a good cause. Thursday night, Hospice of Siouxland held its 2nd annual ‘Rock your Ugly Sweater’ event. The 300 guests showed up in their craziest and ugliest Christmas sweaters to raise money for the organization. ... Especially for their Uncompensated Care, We Honor Veterans, and Making Memories programs.

Here’s why you can’t die peacefully in Oklahoma.By Abby RemmingThe OklahomanDecember 6, 2023... Having Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan would cover hospice, but many people have private insurance from work or state Medicaid plans. Private insurance and Medicaid Advantage plans at times can have a hospice benefit but limit which companies can be used. Applying for Medicare will ensure you are covered for hospice. ... I currently work as a hospital social worker and assist many people who need hospice. Many times, I have had to share with patients and their families that, while they may be ready to peacefully pass away, hospice coverage is not included in the patient’s current insurance plan. Providing end-of-life care is extremely difficult without the added burden of worrying whether insurance will cover the benefit. Those without the benefit and who need the service are then reliant upon the generosity of the companies to absorb the cost. If the Medicaid Advantage plan is picked, a person would need to decide if they wanted the benefit to either cover nursing home care or in-home hospice care. A Medicaid Advantage plan might not cover hospice even when the policyholder believes they have the benefit. 

HopeWest accepting cryptocurrency donationsKREX-TV (Grand Junction, CO)December 6, 2023Grand Junction, CO—HopeWest, a nonprofit hospice care organization on the Western Slope, is moving ahead with the times and now accepting cryptocurrency donations. ... As of November 2022, HopeWest started accepting cryptocurrency donations and accepts around 100 different cryptocurrencies. HopeWest’s Debbie Horwitz tells WesternSlopeNow crypto donations benefit HopeWest donors by helping them avoid capital gains tax. Plus, crypto donations are tax deductible.

Gentiva Hospice Opens New BranchGreeneville (TN) SunDecember 6, 2023Greeneville, TN—Gentiva Hospice held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location Dec. 1. ... The new branch in Greeneville will provide support to patients, families and facilities in Greene and Cocke counties, according to information provided by the Greene County Partnership.

Prineville Hospice Auction raises $180,000Central Oregonian (Prineville, OR)December 6, 2023Prineville, OR—St. Charles Foundation’s annual Prineville Hospice Auction was a tremendous success, with more than 550 individuals in attendance and raising more than $180,000 to support hospice programs. The dollar amount smashed the stated goal of $110,000 prior to the event. The annual event, hosted at the Crook County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena included a dinner, silent auction, raffle and a lively live auction of handmade quilts and elaborately decorated Christmas trees. 

$200,000 raised for Hospice of Redmond at Festival of TreesCentral Oregon Daily News (Bend, OR)December 5, 2023More than $200,000 was raised at this year’s Festival of Trees. The Hospice of Redmond holds the event every year to raise money for its non-profit services, making sure that people who need end-of-life care can get it even if they don’t have the funds. One of auctioned trees sold for almost $12,000.

Hospice awareness campaign launched to educate D.C. residents about care benefits

VITAS Expects a Steady 2024 for Revenue, GrowthHospice NewsDecember 4, 2023After the tumultuous years of the pandemic, VITAS Healthcare expects a stable growth trajectory heading into 2024. Florida-based VITAS is a subsidiary of Chemed Corp. Though the company has not yet released financial guidance for 2024, VITAS anticipates a “predictable” 2024 in terms of earnings and growth, executives said at Monday’s Bank of America Healthcare Conference.

FAIRHOPE places umbrellas around area for people to use or borrowLancaster (OH) Eagle GazetteDecember 3, 2023Lancaster, OH—FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. has placed umbrellas around Fairfield County to use and borrow as part of its thank you to the community for the November Celebration of Hospice and Palliative Care Month. “We are grateful to be part of such an extraordinary community that always supports us,” said Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE President/CEO.

Report indicates fewer Vermonters opting for hospice care.WCAX-TV (Burlington, VT)November 29, 2023Burlington, VT—Many Vermonters with terminal illnesses aren’t taking advantage of a benefit that some medical professionals say could improve their end-of-life care. A new report this month from the Vermont Department of Health found the percentage of people using hospice has actually gone down after it had risen steadily for many years.

Friendtique Reaches $1.3 million in lifetime donations to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCareDaily Record (Wooster, OH)November 30, 2023Wooster, OH—Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare recently received a donation of $25,000 from Friendtique, a local boutique resale shop. Friendtique’s gift marks a milestone of $1.3 million in lifetime donations to the Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Community Care Fund.