WiHPCA is happy to remind members about and provide links to the latest articles and information from Hospice News and the National Association for Home Care and Hospice:
· New Legislation Provides Reimbursement Boost to Community-Based Pediatric Palliative Care
By Holly Vossel | May 23, 2022
There’s growing momentum behind the movement to finance serious illness care for children.
The Illinois General Assembly recently passed a bill that requires private insurers and Medicaid plans in the state to include a community-based pediatric palliative and hospice benefit. Creating new revenue opportunities to sustain palliative care at a state level could open doors to crafting an established national benefit. Read more…
· Contract Nurse Utilization Normalizing, But Hospice Staffing Situation Remains Dire
By Jim Parker | May 23, 2022
With hospice providers reporting fewer staff in quarantine, many hope to reduce their utilization of temp nursing services — as well as the higher labor costs that come with them. But the reality won’t be that simple. Indicators suggest that demand for temp nurses is dipping slightly, and rates may be starting to fall. However, providers shouldn’t necessarily expect a return to pre-2020 conditions. Read more…
· Senate Again Takes Up Hospice, Palliative Staffing Bill
By Jim Parker | May 20, 2022
Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) have reintroduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education Training Act (PCHETA), designed to bolster the field’s shrinking workforce with federal support. If enacted, PCHETA would support hospice and palliative care training programs for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and chaplains. The bill would also expand continuing education and career development programs and incentives in these fields. Read more…
· Medication Shortages Imperil Hospice Access, Quality
By Jim Parker | May 19, 2022
Hospice providers and patients are having difficulty procuring medications due to nationwide drug shortages, threatening quality of care and patients’ access to hospice. These include essential drugs for pain and symptom management. Read more…
· Hospice Leaders ‘Shocked’ by Lackluster Proposed Payment Rule Amid Inflation, Wage Hikes
By Jim Parker | May 18, 2022
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed a 2.7% pay increase for hospice care for Fiscal Year 2023. However, that amount may be a drop in the bucket as COVID-19 headwinds rage, inflation surges and employee wages climb. Beyond the rising costs, Medicare is phasing in the return of payment sequestration, which was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Effective April 1, CMS began a 1% withholding. Read more…
Hospice News, which is part of the Aging Media Network, is a leading source for news and information covering the hospice industry. National Association for Home Care and Hospiceis the largest professional association representing the interests of chronically ill, disabled, and dying Americans of all ages and the caregivers who provide them with in-home health and hospice services.
