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Hospices Stepping Up Performance on Visits-in-Last-Days-of-Life Measure

Hospice News

Hospices, in aggregate, are showing improvement on the quality measure for visits in the last days of life. The number of registered nurse and social worker visits during a patient’s final week is one of the seven quality measures that CMS uses to evaluate providers. In 2019, for example, the percentage was 66%.

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Helios Care Partners with Bassett Healthcare to Expand Hospice, Palliative Services

Hospice News

The hospice and senior care provider Helios Care is partnering with the integrated health system Bassett Healthcare Network to bring more extensive access to hospice and palliative care to patients in central New York.

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Understanding CMS’ Civil Monetary Penalties for Hospices

Hospice News

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been gradually implementing changes to the hospice survey process and enforcement remedies, including civil monetary penalties in some instances. The monetary penalties were among seven enforcement remedies introduced through the HOSPICE Act and subsequent CMS rules.

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How Emerging Hospice Regulations Could Impact Providers

Hospice News

Increased hospice oversight aimed at curbing fraud in the industry could come with a mixed bag of financial and operational impacts for providers. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has honed in on hospice program integrity, rolling out a swath of new measures to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in the space.

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Culture, Compensation, Education Are Keys to Hospice Chaplain Turnover

Hospice News

The hospice chaplain shortage is reaching a tipping point. As they work to recruit and retain their chaplain labor force, hospices are contending with a barrage of issues that also can impact patient access. When someone is overwhelmed, it is impossible for them to provide quality care.”. A shrinking labor pool.

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St. Croix Hospices Opens Wisconsin De Novo

Hospice News

Croix Hospice has expanded in Wisconsin, opening its 14th location in the state. “We have been serving the state of Wisconsin for many years, continuing our long tradition of exceptional patient care,” St. . Croix Hospice CEO Heath Bartness said in a press release. Census Bureau , which reported that 11.6%

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California-Based Community Hospice Responds to Worker Lawsuit

Hospice News

California-based Community Hospice, Inc. Current and former employees of the nonprofit hospice organization filed a $5 million lawsuit in April for unpaid wages during the pandemic. Established in 1979, the nonprofit organization provides hospice and palliative care in three counties near the San Francisco area of northern California.

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