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CMS 2025 Proposed Rule Signals Changes to Quality Measurement, Omits Program Integrity Actions

Hospice News

The 2025 proposed hospice rule is raising some questions along with payment rates. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a 2.6% increase in hospice per diems for 2025. We know that hospice care has demonstrated $3.5 Hospice care saves Medicare roughly $3.5

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Frontpoint Health Acquires High Plains Senior Care Group

Hospice News

Frontpoint Health has completed its acquisition of the Texas-based home health and hospice company High Plains Senior Care Group (HPSC). The HPSC deal expands Frontpoint’s footprint and builds density in markets the company already serves, according to CEO Brent Korte. Financial terms were undisclosed.

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Hospice Medical Director Receives 50-Month Prison Sentence for $150M Fraud

Hospice News

A federal judge has sentenced Jesus Virlar-Cadena, formerly a medical director for the Texas-based hospice company Merida Group, to 50 months in prison for his role in a $152 million scheme. The company operated dozens of locations across Texas. Of that amount, Merida actually received $124 million.

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CMS Proposes ‘36-Month Rule’ to Curb Hospice License ‘Flipping’

Hospice News

The practice appears to stem from a rash of newly licensed hospices that have emerged in California, Nevada, Texas and Arizona. Some of these providers have secured licenses, as well as Medicare certification and, sometimes, accreditation. In that time frame, Nevada saw 56 newly certified hospices, and 369 emerged in Texas.

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What New Allegations that HCA Healthcare Pressured Patients Mean for Hospices

Hospice News

SEIU analyzed Medicare claims data showing that the average hospice transfer rate among HCA hospital discharges was nearly 40% above the national average in 2021 and represented a 50% growth rate over four years. For one, hospice utilization has been on a steady upswing nationally for several years. told Hospice News.

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Why Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living Operators Invest in Home-Based Hospice Programs

Hospice News

Home-based care, including hospice, has become an increasingly attractive space for facility-based health care providers of all walks. Assisted living and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been joining the mix, taking varied routes to growth into home-based hospice care. Among the 1.6 Among the 1.6

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Key Trends That Will Shape the Hospice Industry in 2023

Hospice News

A coalition of hospice industry organizations recently urged the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to examine the issue and to consider actions like targeted moratoria on licenses. The agency will also implement a hospice program complaint hotline through which the public can report issues to CMS.

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