OIG calls for more frequent surveys for hospice providers
By
Ashley Carman
Sep 06, 2013
Hospice providers could soon be facing more recertification surveys, if the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has any say in it.
Oregon hospices steer clear of physician-assisted suicide
Sep 20, 2010
Hospices in Oregon, where physician-assisted suicide is legal, rarely participate in the practice, according to a recent survey.
OIG: Hospices often out of compliance, need framing
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 01, 2014
The Department of Health and Human Services’ watchdog arm recently said hospice providers need stronger oversight measures. It also noted more than $5.8 billion in recoveries in fiscal 2013.
… while Medicare cuts threaten hospices’ profit margins
Mar 08, 2011
Medicare profit margins for hospice providers could dip into negative territory thanks to two new cuts to Medicare reimbursements, according to a new survey.
Majority of hospices exclude some patients due to Medicare daily fee, researchers discover
By
McKnight's Staff
Dec 06, 2012
Despite the fact that hospice is one of the fastest growing parts of Medicare, 78% of surveyed hospice operators turned away patients with the potential for high-costing care, according to a new study...
CMS: Nurse shortage means hospices can keep using contracted workers
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 08, 2014
Hospices can continue to rely on contract nurses because an ongoing nurse shortage is preventing providers from meeting their staffing needs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in a...
Most long-term care workers think relatives of dying residents ‘interfere,’ survey shows
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 27, 2014
Relatives of dying residents make end-of-life care worse, according to a majority of long-term care professionals.
Medicare demonstration project to cover hospice, curative care
Sep 08, 2010
The Medicare program is gearing up to begin a 15-site demonstration project that will provide both hospice care and life-sustaining treatments to Medicare beneficiaries, according to recent reports.
Defibrillator implants often overlooked in hospice, end-of-life care
Mar 08, 2010
A large percentage of hospices don’t account for patients with defibrillator implants, which can lead to unnecessary—and uncomfortable—shocks to patients, new research shows.
Use of advance directives increases among nursing home residents
Nov 12, 2008
Advance directive documentation is sharply on the rise in the nation’s nursing homes, according to a recent report from the Institute for the Future of Aging Services, a research arm of the American...