Nonprofit Resources
Top Five Home Care and Hospice Topics
I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo organized by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice on October 21 and 22, 2024. Thought leaders, professionals, and providers from across the country gathered to explore the evolving landscape of this sector.
As the industry faces mounting challenges such as caregiver shortages and regulatory complexities, innovative solutions are paramount. The conference covered critical topics, ranging from the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare to the development of new strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes and financial sustainability.
Below are five noteworthy topics discussed during the conference and insights to help healthcare providers navigate this dynamic environment.
Top Five Home Care and Hospice Topics for Healthcare Providers
- Understanding the role of comprehensive assessment in hospice eligibility. A central theme throughout the conference was the importance of conducting thorough physical, emotional, and psychosocial assessments for hospice patients to ensure ongoing eligibility. Providers were encouraged to use these assessments to develop and update care plans efficiently.
- Integrating AI in home health and hospice. There was significant interest in leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency, particularly through predictive analytics, telehealth, and voice-to-text documentation tools. These resources can help reduce clinician burnout and optimize resource allocation.
- Managing regulatory and reimbursement challenges. The conference addressed key challenges, including managing inconsistent reimbursement models and navigating regulatory requirements, especially in the context of expanding palliative and hospice services under Medicare and Medicaid. The proposed Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement Act, which was introduced in September 2024, aims to overhaul the existing Medicare hospice benefit. If enacted by Congress, the legislation would update the structure for hospice benefits and payments and create additional safeguards and oversights to increase program integrity.
- Addressing the national caregiver shortage. The critical shortage of caregivers in home health and hospice was a repeated theme, with strategies for staff retention and technology and workforce optimization discussed.
- Improving documentation for continued eligibility. Accurate and consistent documentation, including the use of prognostic tools and narrative statements, was highlighted as crucial for supporting hospice eligibility and avoiding claims denials.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo underscored the need for continuous innovation and adaptation in home health, hospice, and palliative care.
Providers are finding new ways to deliver quality care while addressing financial and regulatory pressures. As the industry evolves, staying ahead of trends like patient-centered care and predictive analytics will be crucial for long-term success. By focusing on these emerging priorities, healthcare providers can ensure both sustainability and improved patient outcomes in an increasingly value-driven landscape.
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Ryan Smith
Ryan serves as Partner and Healthcare Practice Leader at CapinCrouse. With focused experience gained from serving numerous healthcare clients, he is a valued resource to clients on technical accounting matters, U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards, internal control assessments, and other complexities impacting the healthcare industry. Ryan’s experience includes the planning, managing, execution, and conclusion of risk-based audits for a variety of clients in the healthcare and healthcare-adjacent industries, and his knowledge and insight into the challenges healthcare organizations face give him a unique skill set to assist the needs of growing and diverse healthcare organizations.
