Tag: 2022 Press Releases

For Immediate Release
September 14, 2022 

(Alexandria – VA) The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its affiliate group, the Hospice Action Network (HAN) recently led a letter on behalf of organizations representing a broad coalition of the hospice, palliative care, and telehealth communities urging Congress to require Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop and implement Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes or modifiers for telehealth visits and add them to the hospice claim form.   

Throughout the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has granted hospice patients and providers telehealth flexibilities which have expanded access to essential post-acute care and protected the health and wellbeing of the most medically vulnerable populations. These flexibilities allow patients to take part in telehealth visits from wherever they call home and allow for the use of telehealth for low-touch, administrative face-to-face visits prior to recertification for the hospice benefit. 

“Hospice and palliative care being delivered through telehealth is currently not measured and therefore, many virtual visits are not noted or captured in any official record,” said Ben Marcantonio, COO and Interim CEO of NHPCO and HAN. “Patients’ records fail to reflect the full scope of care received and hospice organizations are left without a way to fully reflect the quantity of visits and quality of their work.” 

“Collecting accurate information is critical to drafting long-term policy, and effective guardrails, around the use of telehealth in the future. Tracking telehealth visits and incorporating them into the hospice claim form is a simple, common-sense approach for appropriate telehealth policy,” said Logan Hoover, VP of Policy and Government Relations for NHPCO and Executive Director of HAN.  

List of Supporting Organizations: 

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Hospice Action Network
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American Telemedicine Association 
American Telemedicine Association Action
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
Center to Advance Palliative Care
HealthCare Chaplaincy Network
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
LeadingAge  
National Association of Homecare and Hospice
The National Palliative Care Research Center
National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation
NAHC Forum of State Associations
NHPCO Council of States
Physician Assistants in Hospice and Palliative Medicine 

The Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists 

Join HAN in advocating for the creation of a new HCPCS code or modifier for telehealth visits in HAN’s Action Center. 

HAN and NHPCO also recently signed a 300-organization-strong stakeholder letter to Senate leadership, led by the Alliance for Connected Care, urging the extension of a wide variety of telehealth flexibilities.  

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Press Contact: 
Madison Summers 
NHPCO Communications 
Ph: 571-412-3973 

For Immediate Release
September 1, 2022 

(Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations (NHPCO) and its affiliate group, the Hospice Action Network (HAN) announced that after an extensive search for the ideal candidate, Logan Hoover has stepped into the role of Vice President of Policy and Government Relations. In this position, Hoover leads activities related to the development and advancement of the policy and political agenda at NHPCO. He also serves as Executive Director of HAN and Chair of the group’s Political Action Committee. 

Hoover previously served as Director of Legislative Affairs for NHPCO and interim Executive Director of HAN. Prior to joining the organization, he served as Legislative Director for former Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23). Congressman Reed was a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and a Congressional leader on hospice legislation, including the bipartisan Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) Act and Helping Our Senior Population in Comfort Environments (HOSPICE) Act. 

“We are thrilled to have Logan lead NHPCO’s and HAN’s government relations work for all legislative issues impacting the hospice and palliative care communities. His team plays a crucial role in ensuring we are representing our members’ interests and needs to policy decision makers to ensure the best care for patients and families facing end-of-life care,” said Ben Marcantonio, interim CEO of NHPCO and HAN. 

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with healthcare leaders and members of Congress to make inroads on improving access and ensuring high-quality care for all Americans facing a life-limiting illness. Our team’s goals include expanding an ongoing and influential presence on Capitol Hill, mobilizing a growing national network of Hospice Advocates, and facilitating an interactive community that connects the public with advocacy efforts for hospice and palliative care,” said Hoover.  

Originally from Long Island, New York, Hoover graduated from The George Washington University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Professional Studies in political management. He lives in Alexandria with his wife, Taylor, and their treeing walker coonhound, Chewy. 

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Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973 

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2022 

Christopher Arnold Brings Health Care Association Experience to the Position  

Alexandria, VA – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) announced that Christopher Arnold has joined the NHPCO team as Vice President of Finance. Arnold brings to the position more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting, operations, compliance, administration, and management. He has worked in leadership roles in health care association accounting and finance teams since 2006 and comes most recently from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), where he served as Senior Director, Financial Reporting and Compliance. 

NHPCO CFO, Cathy Gibney, CPA, said, “Christopher has exactly the kind of experience we were looking for in this position. With his background in both the association and business worlds, he is going to help ensure that NHPCO continues to provide world-class financial support services for our members and partners.” 

Arnold commented, “I look forward to working with the NHPCO staff to continue improving our finance systems to ensure smooth operations. NHPCO members provide essential care to patients and families across the country. I am excited to join the organization that supports them in that mission.”  

During his time at APhA he consolidated the organizations banking service providers and implemented a paperless payables system. Both projects reduced costs and generated efficiencies in processing. Prior to joining APhA, Arnold served the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) for ten years, first as Controller and later as Director, Finance and Administration. During that time Arnold was responsible for the office relocation project that entailed site selection, office build out, implementation of new information technology and communication vendors and the move and set up of the new office. The project was completed on time and under budget. From 1996 to 2006, he served in various business analysis, management, and finance roles at companies including KMPG, Nextel Communications, and Beers & Cutler. Arnold earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Virginia Tech. He resides in Falls Church Virginia with his wife Christie and dog Kona. He enjoys spending time outdoors running, biking, and taking backpacking trips with friends. 

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Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973

For Immediate Release
August 11, 2022 

(Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its advocacy affiliate, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), are pleased to endorse the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act (S.4352/H.R. 8576), sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and
Congressman Greg Murphy (R-NC), which will take crucial next steps to better understand the current workforce crisis by requiring the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and report on the effects of travel nursing agencies on the healthcare industry during the pandemic.

This study includes information on travel nursing agency practices across the country, including any potential price gouging and taking of excessive profits, the difference between how much such agencies charged healthcare institutions and how much they paid their contracted nurses, and the extent to which travel nurse agency practices contribute to workforce shortages.

“Hospices and palliative care providers have experienced nursing shortages pre-COVID, but the pandemic has exacerbated the issue. Hospices cannot compete with the high contract, excessive rates required by travel nursing agencies. These agencies appear to have capitalized on the public health
emergency by charging exorbitant rates,” said Ben Marcantonio, interim President and CEO of NHPCO and President of HAN. “We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Cramer and Congressman Murphy to garner additional support and prioritize finding immediate workforce solutions to ensure access to quality end-of-life care.”

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Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973

For Immediate Release
August 3, 2022 

Alexandria, VA – It is with deep sadness that the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and Hospice Action Network (HAN) learned of the tragic death of Representative Jackie Walorski (IN-2) in a car accident that killed four people including two members of her team. 

Representative Walorski was a strong champion for hospice care who played an instrumental role in supporting and passing the Rural Access to Hospice Act as a lead sponsor. She was honored in 2020 with a Hospice Action Network Angel Award which recognizes members of Congress who use their platform to support the vital mission of hospice and palliative care and amplify the voices of patients facing serious and terminal illness.  

“Representative Walorski was a friend of hospice and longtime advocate for access to end-of-life care, particularly for those living in rural areas. NHPCO and HAN have been honored to work with her over the years. Her leadership and voice will be sorely missed,” said Ben Marcantonio, Interim President and CEO of NHPCO and President of HAN.  

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Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973

For Immediate Release:
July 27, 2022

Alexandria, VA – Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted for public inspection the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements Final Rule. The final rule includes a payment increase of 3.8% for FY23, representing a slight increase from the proposed rule, along with other key updates to the hospice regulatory framework related to payments, quality, and equitable access.

“After weeks of advocacy efforts, today is a step in the right direction to meet the needs of our hospice and palliative care providers. However, the CMS rates for FY23 still do not accurately reflect the reality of higher gas prices, unrelenting labor shortages, and additional pandemic-related expenses that hospice providers and programs are facing across the country. We call on the Biden Administration and Congress to step in to provide additional reimbursements in 2023 which accurately reflect the unprecedented demands and costs providers are facing in order to ensure long-term viability for the hospice and palliative care that Americans want and deserve,” said Ben Marcantonio, Interim President and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and President of the Hospice Action Network (HAN).

NHPCO and its advocacy affiliate, HAN, will continue to work with Congressional champions and members on key committees to protect hospice and other providers from further financial hits during this ongoing public health emergency. NHPCO members will have access to detailed analysis of the FY23 Final Rule via the Regulatory & Compliance Center on nhpco.org.

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Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973

For Immediate Release:
July 12, 2022

(Alexandria, VA) – Today, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and Hospice Action Network (HAN) led a letter to Congress, joined by organizations representing a broad coalition of the hospice and palliative care community. The letter requests protection of access to high-quality hospice care for Medicare beneficiaries by calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make changes to the proposed payment rate increase for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). A more sufficient rate would reflect the unprecedented demands and costs that hospice providers and programs are facing across the country.

CMS released its FY23 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements proposed rule, which proposes updates to the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for the coming fiscal year. For the hospice payment update percentage, CMS proposed an increase of 2.7% from FY2022.

“The purpose of a payment update is to ensure hospice providers are fairly and adequately reimbursed for the critical services they provide to individuals with life-limiting illnesses based on the cost of providing those services. Unfortunately, CMS’ recent update ignores the reality on the ground; higher gas prices, unrelenting labor shortages, increased wages, and additional pandemic-related expenses. We need the Biden Administration and Congress to step in and fix this wrong. Failing to do so would be a mistake,” said NHPCO Director of Legislative Affairs, Logan Hoover.

To read the full letter, click here

Be a Hospice Advocate: Urge your Members of Congress to protect access to end-of-life care by calling on CMS to provide a more sufficient hospice payment rate increase. Hospice Action Network’s Legislative Action Center makes it easy to take action.

About NHPCO and HAN: NHPCO and the Hospice Action Network (HAN) – work closely together to make an impact. NHPCO sets the public policy agenda through its Legislative Affairs Committee. HAN implements the agenda through direct lobbying, grassroots advocacy, and by empowering Hospice Advocates to share their hospice story with Congress. Our mission at HAN is to advocate, with one voice, for policies that ensure the best care for patients and families facing serious illness and the end of life.  

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Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2022

After five years as the President & CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), Edo Banach has decided to step down from that role at the end of August.

Norman McRae, Chair of the NHPCO Board of Directors, said, “Edo came to NHPCO with the skills and expertise needed at a time of transition in the hospice and palliative care community and in the direction of NHPCO and our advocacy affiliate, the Hospice Action Network. For five years he poured his heart and soul into this organization. His leadership has helped us professionalize key elements of the benefits we provide to the community, most notably our best-in-class advocacy operations. During his tenure, NHPCO’s financial position has improved greatly, despite the tremendous challenges of the last two years. We are grateful to Edo for his leadership. His work has positioned NHPCO to continue to succeed into the future on behalf of our members and the entire hospice and palliative care community.”

Banach said, “My time with NHPCO has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career. Over the last five years, NHPCO has delivered on the promise to provide our members with the best possible resources, networking, education, and advocacy to advance their organizations, their careers, and the interests of the hospice and palliative community. I am proud of that work, I look forward to my next challenge, and I’ll remain a cheerleader for NHPCO.”

McRae continued, “The NHPCO Board of Directors will use this summer to work with Edo and the NHPCO Leadership Team to plan for a smooth transition as we work with a national search firm to hire the organization’s next President & CEO. During the search, Ben Marcantonio, NHPCO’s COO will serve as interim President & CEO. Ben has more than 20 years of hospice and palliative care experience, including nine years of executive leadership with providers on both the east and west coasts.”

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Contact:
Caleb Tiller 
Ph: 571-412-4032 

For Immediate Release:
May 19, 2022

Bill Would Invest in Palliative and Hospice Care Research and Education

(Alexandria, Va) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its advocacy affiliate, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), welcomed the introduction of the Palliative Care & Hospice Education Training Act (PCHETA) today in the Senate. The bill, introduced as S. 4260 and cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, would support research and education to develop hospice and palliative care medicine.  

“Senators Baldwin and Capito understand that palliative and hospice care are essential components of the American healthcare system and worth investing in,” said Edo Banach, NHPCO president & CEO, and HAN president. “Like other parts of the healthcare sector, hospice and palliative care providers are in the midst of a long-term staffing crisis that got dramatically worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. PCHETA offers an important first step toward ensuring that we are developing the hospice and palliative care workforce of tomorrow, so we can continue offering the interdisciplinary, patient-centered, serious-illness and end-of-life care that Americans deserve.”   

Estimates indicate that without additional investments, the palliative care and hospice physician workforce will grow a little over one percent in the next 20 years while the number of Americans eligible for these types of care will increase by more than 20 percent. PCHETA would begin addressing this growing gap by supporting relevant research and education programs, including learning centers, fellowships, and academic medicine. 

Banach added, “PCHETA passed the House with more than 280 bipartisan cosponsors in the last two Congresses and was supported by more than 55 Senators – a feat not achieved by many bills anymore. However, despite overwhelming support from both sides, Congress has stalled on passing PCHETA and delayed much-needed investments in our nation’s hospice and palliative care workforce. NHPCO and HAN look forward to the bill’s introduction in the House and to working with our members and with Congress to pass PCHETA this session in order to train more doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in hospice and palliative medicine. At the same time, our country needs to step up to the reality that we are already in a healthcare workforce crisis, and it is going to get worse over the next 10-20 years as the American population continues aging. PCHETA is a down payment. We need a comprehensive plan for addressing this ongoing and growing emergency.” 

Take action: Call on your Senators to invest in the hospice and palliative care workforce by cosponsoring PCHETA. HAN’s Legislative Action Center makes it easy. 

About NHPCO and HAN: NHPCO and the Hospice Action Network (HAN) – work closely together to make an impact. NHPCO sets the public policy agenda through its Legislative Affairs Committee. HAN implements the agenda through direct lobbying, grassroots advocacy, and by empowering Hospice Advocates to share their hospice story with Congress. Our mission at HAN is to advocate, with one voice, for policies that ensure the best care for patients and families facing serious illness and the end of life.  

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Contact:
Caleb Tiller 
Ph: 571-412-4032