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Machine learning could shed light on the themes of serious illness communication, according to research published in December in Patient Education and Counselling. Researchers at the University of Vermont’s Conversation Lab used machine learning algorithms to analyze the transcripts of conversations, with the goal of finding common themes and storylines. Previously, this method had been…

Established in 1972, the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) is a trade organization representing providers of home health, hospice, palliative care and other in-home care services. AHHC is one of the oldest and largest organizations of its kind in the nation, representing all types of in-home service professionals dedicated to…

C-TAC is proud to recognize Vital Decisions as a member of our organization. Vital Decisions provides advance care planning telehealth and digital solutions to ensure that the care individuals receive aligns with their values and preferences. Vital Decisions’ mission to be the force, the catalyst in this country, to fundamentally change how individuals are cared…

C-TAC is excited to introduce our newest team member, Kenny Rakwong, who is serving as our Database, Operations and Research Intern. Kenny was born in Thailand but raised in Northern Virginia. He is currently a junior attending George Mason University studying Information Systems and Operations Management with a minor in Business Analytics. Kenny discovered his…

Earlier today, it was announced that palliative care entrepreneur Brad Smith will serve as the next Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), as well as the Senior Advisor for Value-Based Transformation to HHS Secretary Alex Azar. Smith most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Anthem’s Diversified Business Group and was…

CMS has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for eligible Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to participate in a demonstration that would test the “carve-in” of the Medicare hospice benefit into the MA program under the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model beginning in 2021. Interested MA organizations must submit an application by 11:59 PM ET on…

The application deadlines are fast approaching for the new Primary Care First (PCF) & Direct Contracting (DC) payment model demonstrations from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) (PCF deadline is 1/22/20; DC deadline is 2/25/20). These models represent a unique opportunity for providers that care for seriously ill and chronically complex patients and…

It was an honor to have Susan Ponder-Stansel, Chief Executive Officer of Community Hospice & Palliative Care, take the plenary stage during the 2019 National Summit on Advanced Illness Care. Her remarks included a commitment to launching a state-wide serious and advanced illness coalition in Florida. Susan Ponder-Stansel is working alongside the Florida Hospice &…

C-TAC responded to a Request for Information (RFI) regarding a possible Oncology Care First (OCF) Model. Overall, we supported such a model and made the following suggestions: That the Oncology Care Model measures, which include ones on pain management, hospice referral and length of stay, be used for such a  model. We also urged the…

Yesterday, C-TAC Chief Medical Officer Brad Stuart, MD, was a featured speaker during the first webinar produced by Hospice News. The discussion focused on the future of hospice payment and covered a variety of topics, from what strategies hospices can use to engage with payers to strategies for keeping programs sustainable. Dr. Stuart discussed the…