DALLAS—Axxess, a global technology innovator for health care at home, and SimiTree, a revenue cycle, coding, professional services and talent management resource for post-acute and behavioral health organizations, announced the launch of two new products designed to provide Axxess' home health and hospice clients with even more valuable insights to strategically plan and drive growth.
WASHINGTON—On June 13, 2024, Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon released a discussion draft of legislation, the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act, that would make significant changes to the Medicare hospice program.
DALLAS—During Hospice Action Week in Washington D.C., the Hospice Action Network (HAN) named Axxess Executive Vice President of Interoperability Tim Ingram the 2023 MyHospice Ambassador of the Year. This award recognizes Ingram’s outstanding leadership and advocacy for hospice care.
LOS ANGELES—Five individuals were arrested in Los Angeles on criminal charges related to their roles in a years-long scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $15 million through sham hospice companies and then to launder the fraud proceeds.
WASHINGTON & ALEXANDRIA, Virginia—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) responded to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently revised guidance regarding the implementation of the hospice certifying physician enrollment requirement.
WARWICK, Rhode Island—AccentCare, a nationwide provider of home health, hospice and personal care services, announced the opening of its Warwick hospice location and its expansion into Rhode Island.
NEW ORLEANS—U.S. District Judge Lance Africk sentenced Shiva Akula, age 68, of New Orleans, to 240 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release and $2,300 in mandatory special assessment fees, in relation to an extensive health care fraud scheme orchestrated by Akula. In November 2023, a federal jury convicted Akula of all 23 counts of his underlying indictment.
DALLAS—AccentCare, a provider of post-acute health care, announced the appointment of Andy Johnston as president of Hospice & Personal Care Services (PCS).
CHICAGO—The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine announced the appointment of S
LAKEWOOD RANCH & WEST PALM BEACH, Florida—Empath Health announced its official affiliation with Trustbridge and its affiliates, including Hospice of Palm Beach County and Hospice by the Sea. This strategic partnership solidifies Empath Health's position as the largest nonprofit post-acute care organization in Florida, dedicated to providing Full Life Care to the community.
WASHINGTON—On March 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS-1810-P) that would update Medicare hospice payments and the aggregate cap amount for fiscal year (FY) 2025 in accordance with existing statutory and regulatory requirements.
SPARTANBURG, South Carolina—Agape Care Group (Agape Care), a provider of hospice and palliative care and a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners, was announced today as on
LINCOLN, Nebraska—St. Croix Hospice has been recognized by the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association (NHPCA) with the NHPCA Shining Star Award, which was announced at the 2024 NHPCA Annual Conference on March 20. After receiving nominations from industry leaders, the NHPCA awards the Shining Star honor to a hospice provider in good standing with the association that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation within the local hospice community.
WASHINTON and ALEXANDRIA, Virginia—Following a series of meetings with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Members of Congress on efforts to improve and protect hospice program integrity, four national hospice organizations—LeadingAge, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
BRENTWOOD, Tennessee—IntellaTriage, a provider of after-hours nurse-first triage services for hospice and home health, announced its strategic acquisition of NurseLine, a prominent nationwide provider of hospice and home health triage services. The transaction was completed for an undisclosed sum.
WASHINGTON—A federal jury convicted a California man for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing $2.8 million for hospice services that patients did not need.
Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH), the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the U.S., and Compassus, a national provider of home-based health care services, announced they have signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture partnership for BSMH homecare and hospice. Under the agreement, Compassus will manage operations for 10 home health agencies and 11 hospice operations spanning five states.
NASHVILLE—Traditions Health has recently hired Michael Craig as its new vice president of sales for the hospice business line. In this new role, Craig will oversee Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina. He will also play an integral role in driving the company's sales growth and expanding market share.
WASHINGTON—The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted on Jan. 11 to recommend that Congress reduce 2025 home health payment rates by 7%.
While the move was expected, advocates and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) still voiced their disappointment at the guidance.
WASHINGTON—In the aftermath of the former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter’s passing, Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the national voice for nonprofit advanced illness, hospice, and palliative care providers, released the following statement on Mrs. Carter’s passing:
