article thumbnail

‘Upgrading’ the Medicare Hospice Benefit

Hospice News

The Medicare Hospice Benefit could use an “upgrade” to ensure greater flexibility that may be necessary to fully support patients’ needs. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should consider is retiring the six-month terminal prognosis requirement and allowing for some concurrent care, Wallace and Wladkowski indicated.

Medicare 259
article thumbnail

Aetna’s President of Medicare: MA Plans Go All-In on Aging in Place with New 2024 Benefits, Palliative Care, Hospice VBID

Hospice News

“Aetna remains focused on providing benefits and services to help our members age in the place that is best for them – whether that is with caregivers or without, in a family home or in a senior living community,” Terri Swanson, president of Medicare for Aetna, told Hospice News in an email. “We

2024 267
professionals

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

10 Hospice News ‘Hidden Gem’ Stories from 2022

Hospice News

Combined, Asians, African Americans and Hispanics in 2018 represented only 20% of Medicare hospice patients, while the remaining 80% were Caucasian, according NHPCO. The most visible attempt began in 2020 when CMS began allowing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to cover palliative care as a supplemental benefit.

2022 206
article thumbnail

Avanlee Care Joins Forces with Walmart on Caregiver Support

Hospice News

Avanlee Care has teamed up with Walmart (NYSE:WMT) to allow families in certain markets to order groceries, health or pharmacy products from the retail giant’s stores through its caregiver support mobile app. Christine said her drive to establish Avanlee grew out of her personal experience with caregiving.

Caregiver 203
article thumbnail

The First Year of Hospice VBID Is the Hardest for Payers and Providers

Hospice News

Implementation of the Medicare Advantage hospice carve-in has been challenging for both payers and providers, though a recent analysis indicates that it may get easier over time. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) commissioned the RAND Corp. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) commissioned the RAND Corp.

Hospice 240
article thumbnail

MA Palliative Care Benefits See Little 2023 Growth, But Payer Interest Remains High

Hospice News

Only 10 new Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will offer home-based palliative care as a primarily health-related benefit for 2023, but payers may be offering those services through other programs. Among Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits, in-home support services and caregiver support saw the most year-over-year growth for 2023.

article thumbnail

HAP Foundation, NORC: Structural Racism Impedes Access to Hospice, Palliative Care

Hospice News

.” For the study, researchers conducted interviews and focus groups with Black Americans 18 and older who suffer from a serious illness and their caregivers, producing a number of key findings: Knowledge of palliative and hospice care varied among participants. Access to hospice and palliative care is perceived as lacking.