Background
Recent national media coverage is focused on hospice and the Administration’s actions to address fraudulent providers, with stories appearing across major outlets. While some of the media coverage has taken on a political tone, this is not a partisan issue. This is about program integrity, accountability, and ensuring patients and families receive the care they deserve.
The actions now being taken by the Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reflect increased attention to concerns that have been raised over time regarding fraudulent activity in parts of the hospice system. These efforts are aimed at addressing a subset of providers exploiting regulatory gaps, while preserving access to high-quality, community-based care.
NPHI is actively engaged with federal leaders to advance targeted solutions that root out bad actors while safeguarding the integrity of the hospice benefit. It is important to underscore that these issues are not representative of the majority of hospice providers, who are focused every day on delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients and families.
Official Statement
Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI, stated:
“NPHI is actively working with the Administration and CMS to identify ways to target and root out bad actors. We are encouraged to see decisive steps being taken to crack down on fraud and remove these bad actors from the hospice system, while safeguarding the integrity of hospice care for patients and families nationwide.
It’s important to be clear — this is not a failure of the hospice model of care. It is the result of a subset of providers exploiting the healthcare system, and that must stop. We will continue working closely with federal leaders to advance targeted, evidence-based solutions that close loopholes, strengthen enforcement, and protect the integrity of the hospice benefit so all patients and their families receive the high-quality care they deserve.
This issue is deeply frustrating to the many high-quality, mission-driven hospice providers — especially nonprofit organizations — that have served their communities with compassion and integrity for decades. We cannot allow the actions of a small number of bad actors to erode public trust or discourage families from seeking hospice care when they need it most.”
Carole Fisher, President of NPHI, added:
“At its core, hospice care is about trust — trust from patients and families during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. That’s why NPHI is committed to supporting decisive action to address bad actors, while continuing to uphold and protect the high standards that define this field.”
NPHI will continue to engage with policymakers, regulators, and the media to ensure that efforts to strengthen program integrity are targeted, effective, and support access to high-quality hospice care nationwide.
