The model seeks to broaden access to palliative care earlier during serious illnesses and declining health, enabling patients to get support sooner and remain at home longer.

/PRNewswire/ - The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) today publicly revealed their dedication to crafting a federal fee-for-service community-based palliative care model designed to increase access nationwide.

This effort expands on years of industry progress to improve palliative care availability, especially as its adoption has risen in hospitals. Although such advancements laid a solid groundwork, community-based options are still scarce, and patients typically access them too late. Inconsistent data and evidence have hindered proving the value of timely community interventions. NPHI and C-TAC aim to tackle these issues through a partnership that promotes a viable, data-backed approach to care.

For years, palliative care access in the U.S. has been restricted by insufficient reimbursement options. This project and model propose filling that void with a stable structure for providing community-based palliative care sooner in serious illness trajectories, instead of limiting it to late stages or hospice entry.

"This initiative draws on extensive efforts to enhance access to superior care for those with advanced conditions," stated Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and CEO of NPHI and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of C-TAC. "Patients deserve high-quality palliative care long before hospice is required. Too often, this vital support arrives late, even though providers have offered it for years without reliable payment. We prioritize aiding these providers while helping patients benefit earlier, maximizing effects on life quality and results."

"Countless patients and families face serious illness without community-based palliative care's benefits," noted Bill Novelli, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of C-TAC. "Such collaborations are key to progress, and we urge health system partners to join in expanding holistic, supportive care earlier, beyond end-of-life. A sustainable federal community model can elevate life quality, aid caregivers, cut avoidable hospital stays, and keep more people at home - their preferred place."

NPHI and C-TAC will collaborate with federal officials and diverse private stakeholders to clarify palliative care definitions, pinpoint ideal patient groups, and outline effective community delivery under a viable payment system.

"About half of Medicare beneficiaries stay in Original Medicare, often under fee-for-service," explained Cameron Muir, MD, Chief Medical and Innovation Officer at NPHI. "With high-need patients (around 10% driving nearly 60% of costs), a fee-for-service community palliative model is crucial for adequate care levels. It will foster supportive, preventive care at home - where patients prefer."

"Developing a plan for better outcomes, targeted reach, and financial viability benefits from our deep clinical and actuarial expertise," said Kristofer Smith, MD, MPP, Senior Clinical Advisor at C-TAC. "We're eager to share these perspectives and partner input in this vital dialogue, especially now when we can do more for those in greatest need."

NPHI and C-TAC anticipate ongoing teamwork with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and numerous palliative care advocates advancing this over two decades.

The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) leads representation for nonprofit, community-based hospice and advanced illness providers. Focused on excellence, NPHI members unite to deliver compassionate, top-tier care honoring patients' and families' goals, values, and dignity. We empower nonprofits in a profit-focused system via innovative, patient-centered models and ties with leaders, policymakers, and partners. Learn more at nphihealth.org.

The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) commits to better care and life quality for those with serious illness, especially underserved groups. We partner with policymakers, regulators, advocates, leaders, and funders for equitable, person-focused policies enhancing comprehensive support for patients, families, and caregivers. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan group, C-TAC is a reliable expert on serious illness care and convener of over 190 members transforming health systems to respect every person's needs, goals, and dignity. Learn more at TheCTAC.org.

SOURCE National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation