Season 2, EP. 7: CMS' Special Focus Program, What We Know

Welcome back to the NHPCO Podcast! It's hard to believe that we've reached the end of season 2 already. Thank you for listening and supporting us along the way.  On today's episode, Madison is joined by NHPCO's Director of Education, Sarah Bal, and Manager of Member Engagement, Carla Smith, to learn about the many offerings that members can take advantage of including webinars, MyNHPCO Chats, and IDC and ALC 2024.  Until next season! For updates on the NHPCO-NAHC collaboration, please visit: https://www.nhpco.org/nahc-collaboration/ 

On today's episode, Melinda Gruber, Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and Ken Albert, Chairman of the Board for the National Association for Home Care and Hospice Chair, join the podcast to discuss the future of both organizations and the continuum of care. Tune in to learn more about the affiliation between both orgs and what next steps lie ahead in 2024. For more information, please visit: https://www.nhpco.org/nahc-collaboration/

The holiday season is typically seen as a time of joy, connection, and celebration of traditions with family and friends. But for many, it's also a time of grief as we reflect on those who are no longer with us. On today's episode, Madison is joined by Dora Carpenter, founder of the Institute of Professional Grief Coaching and NHPCO colleague, Elyssa Katz, to discuss the ways in which we can honor our grief and be there for others as they work through their loss during this emotional time of year. Have a topic you'd like to hear covered on the NHPCO Podcast? Email [email protected]  

On today's episode, Madison is joined once more by NHPCO's VP of Policy and Government Relations, Logan Hoover plus a new addition to the NHPCO team, Patrick Harrison, Senior Director of Regulatory and Compliance, to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing the hospice community in 2024: the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Special Focus Program (SFP). Enacted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the SFP aims to increase oversight of hospices which have substantially failed to meet Medicare program requirements. However, despite concerns raised by key stakeholders including members of Congress, technical expert panel participants, and hospice community leaders, CMS is moving forward with a program based on a flawed methodology which may not accurately identify poor performing hospices. Tune in to learn more about what's being done to attempt to change the current SFP algorithm and how providers can advocate for change.      

November is recognized annually as National Veterans and Military Families Month. On today's episode, Madison sits down with Katherine Kemp, NHPCO's Senior Director of Veteran Services and NHPCO member, Shannon Pointer, to discuss the mission of the We Honor Veterans program, the many ways in which hospice providers can recognize local vets in their communities, and the importance of thanking both Veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service. 

Each November, we celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month; a time to honor and recognize the importance of these types of care and engage in courageous conversations with our loved ones and peers. On today's epsiode, Madison sits down with two NHPCO members to discuss their personal hospice stories and how difficult conversations led to their current roles in the hospice field.  Have a question you'd like to see answered on a future episode? Email [email protected] 

Description: on today’s episode, host Madison Summers sits down with Rory Farrand, NHPCO’s VP of Palliative and Advanced Care to discuss the latest developments in the field of palliative care including the community-based demonstration model and reimbursement methods for the interdisciplinary model of care. In Rory’s words, “if you’ve seen one palliative program, you’ve seen one palliative program!” Tune in to learn more. Have a question you’d like to hear answered on a future episode? Email [email protected] 

On today's episode, Madison sits down with Aparna Gupta, NHPCO's VP of Quality, and Sarah Simmons, NHPCO's Director of Quality, to discuss the future of quality measures to ensure the hospice and palliative care community is as equitable and accessible as possible.  Have a question that you'd like to hear discussed on an upcoming episode? Email Madison at [email protected] 

On today's episode, Madison sits down with Logan Hoover, NHPCO's VP of Policy and Government Relations, to discuss the current policy priorities for the hospice and palliative care community. Tune in to learn more about expanding telehealth flexibilities through the CONNECT for Health Act, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) which would help address the growing workforce, and the Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act which aims to create a demonstration project within Medicare to allow palliative care to be covered concurrently with curative treatment. Have a question you'd like to hear addressed on a future episode? Email Madison at [email protected] 

Welcome back to the NHPCO Podcast! After a hiatus, we are back with a new season and a new host, Madison Summers.  Over the course of 10 episodes, this season will focus on the evolution of the Hospice Benefit, tapping NHPCO staff and members for their expertise in the field and at the national level.  On today's episode, Madison sits down with NHPCO COO and Interim CEO, Ben Marcantonio, to discuss the origin of the benefit and where we're headed next as a community including program integrity efforts, changes in the prognosis and models of care, and the importance of unity. Have a question you'd like to see answered on a future episode? Reach out at [email protected]  Thanks for listening!