BKD and MAC Legacy collaborate to better serve home care, hospice industry clients MAC Legacy is honored to announce BKD as a collaborative partner. This new collaboration leverages BKD’s expertise in home care and hospice revenue cycle management services with MAC Legacy’s knowledge and proficiency in coding to better serve clients of both companies. “The…

In 2001, Ryan Haight, a young man, tragically died from an overdose of prescription medication he obtained online.  His death spurred the 2008 enactment of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act.  At its core, the act was designed to curb the illegal sale of controlled substances online, requiring practitioners to conduct at least…

CMS has paused survey activity for State Survey Agencies (SAs) during the federal government shutdown. However, Accrediting Organizations (AOs) – including Community Health Accreditation Partners (CHAP), Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), and The Joint Commission (TJC) — are still authorized to conduct deemed status surveys. Because AOs operate independently of federal appropriations, they are…

Did you know that some people have brains filled with amyloid plaques, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, yet never develop dementia? What is more puzzling is that their “tau protein” levels remain normal.  What is the reasoning?  The answer may lie in the Amyloid-Tau disconnect. Alzheimer’s has long been defined by two pathological…

The U.S. government is officially shut down as Congress did not reach agreement on a continued funding bill. The Alliance is offering the following guidance: Telehealth Impacts Telehealth flexibilities for home health and hospice providers expired on September 30, including those applicable to the face-to-face (F2F) encounter. Hospices and home health agencies must ensure that…

Hospice care is focused on comfort, dignity, and compassion at the end of life, and it is one of the most deeply human areas of healthcare.  At first glance, it may seem far removed from the world of artificial intelligence (AI).  Yet AI is quickly becoming a powerful friend to hospice teams, not by replacing…

Congress has once again introduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), a bipartisan proposal aimed at addressing one of the most pressing challenges in serious illness and end-of-life care: the growing shortage of trained clinicians.  Sponsored in the House by Representatives Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), with…

CMS is proposing major changes to the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model in the CY 2026 Home Health Proposed Rule. Here’s what you need to know: Measure Removals – CMS plans to remove three HHCAHPS-based measures: – Care of Patients – Communications Between Providers and Patients – Specific Care Issues Why? These measures rely…

On August 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Final Rule (CMS-1835-F).  This rule outlines key updates to hospice payment policy, quality reporting, and regulatory requirements effective October 1, 2025. For FY 2026,…

Let’s talk LUPAs—because even a 5% LUPA rate could be costing your agency more than you realize. Under PDGM, when a 30-day payment period falls below the visit threshold, Medicare applies a Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA). That payment can be 40–60% lower than the full episodic rate. It adds up fast. Here’s the math:If…

Hospice providers are entering a pivotal stage of preparation with the October 1, 2025, implementation date of the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool quickly approaching.  Many organizations have made considerable progress – training is underway, timelines are mapped out, and internal team champions are leading the charge.  Despite these important steps, the real…