CMS is adding flexibility to their expansion of benefits by redefining health-related supplemental benefits to include services that increase health and improve quality of life, including coverage of non-skilled in-home supports and more. Hospice care and palliative care are considered as well as supplemental benefits down the road. Benefits will only be available to some of the participants of Medicare Advantage plans. These benefits will not be extended to original Medicare. Supplemental … [Read more...] about CMS proposed adding non-skilled in-home care as a supplemental benefit to Medicare Advantage plans in 2019.
New Algorithm Predicts Patient’s Palliative Care by Estimating the Chance of Mortality
Identifying candidates for Palliative Care can now be determined through a new algorithm that could help to prepare and provide better care for terminally ill people during their final months of life. According to reports "researchers at Stanford University have developed a neural network that can determine a patient's chance of dying in the next three to 12 months in order to point doctors to them so they can more effectively deliver palliative care. The system collects and analyzes a … [Read more...] about New Algorithm Predicts Patient’s Palliative Care by Estimating the Chance of Mortality
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Preparedness Requirements
Provider Letter No. 17-32 - DADS latest provider letters addressed to the Medicare and Medicaid Certified Nursing Facilities (NFs), Medicare-Certified Home Health and Hospice Agencies, and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID) all must comply with new federal emergency preparedness Requirements for Participation, including training and testing program requirements, by November 15, 2017. The NF's are a required to … [Read more...] about The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Preparedness Requirements
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month: Its About How You Live!
Palliative care program is the medical specialty of alleviating pain and improving the quality of life of the seriously ill. Hospice care begins after health treatment for an illness has stopped and the patient is considered terminal. Palliative care can begin as soon as a patient is diagnosed with a serious illness and can continue while the individual pursues a cure.November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and hospices across the country are reaching out to raise awareness about … [Read more...] about November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month: Its About How You Live!
Facts and Figures Report Released on Hospice Care in America & Concerns for Patients
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) releases its report, Facts and Figures: Hospice Care in America questioning the nations hospice and palliative care providers and how they manage the short time frames of care for patients with serious and life-limiting illness nearing the end of life. The report addressed issues about how many terminally ill patients benefit from hospice care and services and for what period of time. According to the report based on 2015 results, just … [Read more...] about Facts and Figures Report Released on Hospice Care in America & Concerns for Patients
Hospice Care Website lists 777 Hospice Agencies in Texas
For terminally ill patients and their loved ones, finding the right Hospice care can be a daunting decision. Options for quality and strength of the facility providing end-of-life care in the Texas depends on the hospice chosen, according to data released from Medicare data released by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (CMMS). Now available to the public, the “Hospice Compare” website — at medicare.gov/hospicecompare — displays information on almost 3,900 hospices nationwide.The … [Read more...] about Hospice Care Website lists 777 Hospice Agencies in Texas
CMS Launches New Hospice Care Website for Families, Physicians and their Patients.
In a new press release, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially announced the opening of their Hospice Compare website. The website which focuses on palliative and end of life care was designed to improve transparency, the consumer experience and empower patients. giving families, patients and the physicians who care for them a reliable resource and "snapshot" of the quality of care a hospice facility provides, as well as information related to health care decisions. The … [Read more...] about CMS Launches New Hospice Care Website for Families, Physicians and their Patients.
When Dying is Profitable. Practice of Hospice patients being discharged before death linked to higher profits for facilities
In the past years, there has been a major increase in for-profit hospices and according to a study published last month in the journal Health Affairs titled: “A Positive Association Between Hospice Profit Margin And The Rate At Which Patients Are Discharged Before Death.” The study was researched from a sample of 1,439 freestanding hospices, as well as for-profit, chain-owned and nonprofit facilities, and their live discharge rates. The report found that live discharge rate rose from 2000 t0 … [Read more...] about When Dying is Profitable. Practice of Hospice patients being discharged before death linked to higher profits for facilities
Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Provider Letter No. 17-23 - DADS is directing providers to immediately redo all EMR searches conducted during this two-month period ( From June 9, 2017, through July 27, 2017) to verify the employability of any individuals they have hired. If a search result now shows that an individual is listed in the EMR, then the individual is not eligible to continue employment in a DADS-regulated facility or agency or any facility or agency governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 253. Every … [Read more...] about Alert: All Providers Are Required To Redo Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) Searches
Palliative Care and Hospice Management and Leadership Intensive on July 28th
AXIS Medical Education and Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization will host a one day intensive for Hospice and Palliative Care leaders on July 28th. The educational activity will help providers and leaders in Hospice and Palliative care to engage, interact, and focus on timely issues that will lead us into the future. Throughout the intensive, participants will focus on exceptional hospice and palliative care service delivery, regulatory/policy issues, compliance concerns, dialog about how … [Read more...] about Palliative Care and Hospice Management and Leadership Intensive on July 28th
