NHPCO NewsLine January 2014 - (Page 2)

continued from previous page I share this now as I'm rereading feedback from the Economic Impact Survey that NHPCO and the Hospice Action Network conducted this past fall. The primary goal of the survey was to get input from hospice leaders that would support our advocacy work on Capitol Hill. The survey included 12 questions that asked leaders how the current and proposed regulatory changes, together with the general economic environment, had impacted their organization's ability to deliver quality care in 2013. Perhaps more importantly, it also asked how they anticipate these burdens will impact delivery in 2014 and beyond. The collective feedback came as no surprise to NHPCO and HAN leadership, but it is providing the precise information we need as we continue our advocacy work with members of Congress. 2 NHPCO NewsLine Some of the Feedback Over 80 percent of respondents said the costs associated with implementing recent regulatory changes are having a moderate to severe impact on their budgets. Approximately 42 percent also reported taking on greater debt in 2013, and that same number anticipate assuming greater debt in 2014. At a time when CMS is calling for high-quality, patient-and-family centered care, the respondents also confirmed that these requirements are impacting care at the bedside. Approximately 64 percent reported having to hire additional staff to comply with the current regulatory requirements (namely the Face-to-Face encounter) while, at the same time, 18 percent said they have had to lay off clinical staff and 21 percent have had to lay off non-clinical staff. As one leader shared, "Clinical staff has had to deal with numerous changes whether resulting from a CR, a MAC interpretation, introduction of Medicaid Management Care, an EMR upgrade, etc. [it] is just mindnumbing.... They are doing what they love, but in an environment... they didn't sign up for." When Things Seem Bleak Certainly, this survey only represents the experiences and perceptions of those who responded. Some providers are faring better and some are facing worse. But young Tom Szaky's experience is a useful reminder to all of us: When things seem their bleakest, there is still opportunity for positive change. HAN is already using the valuable input from the Economic Impact Survey on Capitol Hill, and will continue to in the weeks and months ahead. (The summary document prepared for Hill dissemination is posted on the HAN website.) http://www.hospiceactionnetwork.org/linked_documents/get_informed/policy_resources/Economic_Impact_2013.pdf

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine January 2014

The Fuel That Feeds Positive Change
A Look Back at 2013
Download Our Free NewsLine App (display ad)
2014 MLC (display ad)
Findings From the 2013 Spiritual Care Survey
Member News and Notes
National Hospice Foundation Gala (display ad)
ehospice USA (display ad)
Tips From 2013
2014 Webinars
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website
A Feel-Good Moment

NHPCO NewsLine January 2014