Jim Parker

Chicago

Editor at Hospice News

I am a subculture of one — editor of Hospice News, covering the $28 billion business of hospice care.

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Articles

How Empath Health Integrates End-of-Life Care into PACE

3 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

Under the Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) model, patients generally do not transition to the Medicare Hospice Benefit as they near death. Consequently, Empath Health has taken pains to ensure quality end-of-life care is integrated into its program.
National Health Expenditures to Reach $8.6 Trillion by 2033

4 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

The health care sector by 2033 will comprise more than 20% of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product, up from 17.6% in 2023. The nation’s total health expenditures are projected to reach $8.6 trillion in 2033, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that was published in Health Affairs on Wednesday. Increased hospice utilization could help relieve part of the nation’s financial burden for health care, research has shown.
New Day Healthcare Acquires Dunes Hospice

4 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

The home health and hospice company New Day Healthcare has acquired Dunes Hospice in Indiana for an undisclosed amount. The deal marks New Day’s 16th acquisition to date, as well as its first entry into the Indiana market. The company plans to build density in that state by adding personal care services and skilled home health services to those markets. New Day now serves patients in six states.
A Framework for Scaling Palliative Care Via Medicaid

4 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

States can adopt a specific framework to help scale palliative care via Medicaid, according to a recent study published in Health Affairs. Currently, the ability to scale palliative care nationally is limited by several obstacles. Among them are lack of awareness and workforce shortages. Another barrier is low reimbursement through Medicare that only covers physician and nurse practitioner services and does not pay for the full range of interdisciplinary care.
Hospice Industry Groups Oppose Proposed Medicare Advantage Carve-In

4 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

A legislative provision that would “carve” hospice into Medicare Advantage is being met with opposition from the nation’s three largest industry organizations. The National Alliance for Care at Home, LeadingAge and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPH) have written a joint letter to Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), who recently introduced the Medicare Advantage Reform Act.
h/care Acquires American Premier Home Health

4 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

The health care management organization h/care has acquired American Premier Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, based in Phoenix. h/care builds out its footprint using a hub-and-spoke model, in which they establish a foothold in a key market and expands into adjacent communities. Financial terms for the transaction were undisclosed. Phoenix is now one of the company’s central hubs, according to a statement from h/care.
US Rep. Beth Van Duyne: Timely Access to Hospice Care a National Imperative

5 days ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) has voiced a commitment to preserving the Medicare Hospice Benefit and has urged congressional colleagues to be wary about wholesale changes. One potential change would be allowing coverage of hospice care through the Medicare Advantage program. Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) recently introduced the Medicare Advantage Reform Act. If enacted, the bill, numbered H.R. 3467, would overhaul aspects of Medicare Advantage (MA).
BrightSpring's President of Hospice Services Resigns

1 week ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

Michael McMaude has resigned as the president of hospice services of BrightSpring Health Services (Nasdaq: BTSG), effective Friday. He will continue to provide services to the company as a non-employee consultant, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by BrightSpring. He will receive a consulting fee equal to $2,000 per month during the consulting period, with an additional $12,000 per month during the first 45 days.
Proposed Attestation Requirement Could Lead to Hospice Payment Clawbacks

1 week ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

A proposed new requirement in the 2026 proposed hospice rule could lead to “significant” payment clawbacks and claims denials if finalized, according to some stakeholders. The proposed rule contains a provision that hospices provide a “clearly titled” physician or nurse practitioner face-to-face encounter attestation that must include a signature and dates of signing. This would be separate from the recertification form.
How Palliative Care Can Differentiate Hospices in the Marketplace

1 week ago | hospicenews.com | Jim Parker

Potential referral partners and investors often see palliative care as a value-add for a hospice, home health agency or other provider. Palliative programs are difficult to manage as a standalone business due to the lack of a robust reimbursement model. Most palliative care programs are reimbursed through fee-for-service Medicare which only covers physician or nurse practitioner services and does not include the full range of interdisciplinary care.