Hospice of the Foothills Joins California Hospice Network

Hospice of the Foothills of Nevada County has joined the California Hospice Network, a regional collaborative of nonprofit providers.

Though each California Hospice Network member remains a distinct, independent organization, the partnership enables the hospices to collaborate on best practices and improve efficiency through cost sharing and shared services.

Hospice of the Foothills launched in 1979 to serve two California counties as an all-volunteer organization and now cares for more than 500 patients and families annually. 

“Hospice of the Foothills has an extensive track record of engaging with and supporting our community during their end-of-life journey,” Viv Tipton, CEO of Hospice of the Foothills, said in a statement. “Our reputation is built on delivering personalized and exceptional care that surpasses the scope of our patients’ insurance coverage. This collaboration ensures our unwavering capacity to provide such exceptional care well into the future.”

Combined, the network’s member hospices serve more than 2,200 patients and families each year across 11 counties with a workforce of nearly 300 employees.

Three California-based hospices established the CHN to support the growth of community-based hospice care throughout their state — the Elizabeth Hospice in San Diego, Mission Hospice & Home Care in San Mateo and Hospice of Santa Cruz County.

One of the founding members, Elizabeth Hospice, left the network due to divergent activities and timelines that complicated their participation.

The organization now includes Mission Hospice & Home Care in San Mateo, Hospice of Santa Cruz County and YoloCares, as well as its newest member, Hospice of the Foothills.

Among the organization’s goals of the collaboration is to reduce overhead costs, improve the members’ bargaining position with payers and health plans and smooth the transition into value-based payment models, such as Medicare Advantage.

Nonprofit hospices in several states have formed similar coalitions. Three hospices in 2013 established Ohio’s Hospice, for instance. Others include Care Synergy in Colorado and Wisconsin Hospice & Palliative Care Collaborative, among others.

CHN is actively recruiting new members.

“We are pleased to welcome Hospice of the Foothills to the California Hospice Network,” said Michael Milward, CEO of CHN, in a statement. “Working together, our members are stronger and better prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead. With strategic and operational support from CHN, these local, community-based nonprofit hospices continue to operate independently while providing the exemplary end-of-life care their communities deserve.”