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NPHI and C-TAC Collaborate to Improve Palliative Care Access

In a significant development for healthcare in the United States, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) have announced their commitment to creating a new federal community-based palliative care model. This initiative is designed to enhance access to palliative care services, particularly for patients in serious illness and those experiencing a decline in health. The ultimate goal is to facilitate earlier support, allowing patients to remain in their homes for longer periods.

Historically, access to palliative care has been limited, often due to inadequate reimbursement pathways. This newly proposed model aims to bridge that gap, ensuring that patients can receive vital support much earlier in their healthcare journey. This reform is especially critical as data indicates that many patients do not encounter palliative care until it is too late—often only when they are entering hospice care services.

Tom Koutsoumpas, the Founder and CEO of NPHI, emphasized that the focus of their efforts is not merely on increasing service availability but on ensuring that patients receive this critical care well before they reach the end of their life. With strong foundations already laid in hospital settings, the need now is to extend these services into community environments where they can have the most substantial impact on patients' quality of life.

Bill Novelli, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of C-TAC, reinforced this vision by stating that many families unfortunately navigate serious illnesses without the support offered by community-based palliative care. With effective partnerships in place, the organizations believe they can advance comprehensive care options that don't just cater to the end of life but provide support throughout the entire process of serious illness.

The collaboration between NPHI and C-TAC is particularly timely as discussions continue with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and other stakeholders about defining best practices for delivering palliative care in sustainable ways. One of the focal points of their initiatives is a fee-for-service model tailored to a demographic that encompasses nearly half of Medicare beneficiaries who remain in Original Medicare.

Dr. Cameron Muir, the Chief Medical Innovation Officer at NPHI, highlighted the importance of a community-based palliative care model, particularly given the high costs associated with patients who have considerable needs. These patients, constituting about 10% of Medicare patients, are responsible for an overwhelming 60% of expenditures, underscoring the urgency of developing support systems that keep patients in their preferred settings—namely, their homes.

Kristofer Smith, MD, MPP, Senior Clinical Advisor at C-TAC, further emphasized the potential for innovation in developing sustainable care models. With extensive clinical and actuarial advancements, the need for collaboration and open dialogues among healthcare leaders, policymakers, and advocates has never been more pressing. This will facilitate the creation of plans that not only improve patient outcomes but are also financially viable and sustainable long-term.

The NPHI's mission is not just to provide care but to ensure that such care aligns with patients' goals, values, and dignity. By promoting person-centered models and fostering collaboration across the healthcare landscape, stakeholders aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals with advanced illness across the nation.

As this initiative unfolds, NPHI and C-TAC are looking forward to further collaboration with healthcare leaders, policy makers, and various individuals dedicated to advancing palliative care over the forthcoming years. With over two decades of work in promoting palliative care, the future looks promising for the evolution of support systems that cater to every individual's needs. By ensuring the community-based model is rooted in equity and accessibility, these organizations stand at the forefront of a movement set to transform the landscape of health care for those most in need.