What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess how acquisitions of hospices by private equity firms and publicly traded corporations influence process-based quality measures and Medicare reimbursement.

August 1, 2026Health Affairs

Hospice Acquisitions By Certain Firms And Corporations Were Associated With Reductions In Care Intensity, 2010–21

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Authors

JWJiebing WenAustin College ASAlexander SoltoffEmory University MUMark A. UnruhCornell University

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Implication

Retrospective difference-in-differences study reveals reduced visit time among hospice patients after corporate acquisitions, indicating a need for stronger regulatory oversight.

Key Points

To assess how acquisitions of hospices by private equity firms and publicly traded corporations influence process-based quality measures and Medicare reimbursement.
Linked a national database of private equity and publicly traded corporation transactions to Medicare claims data from 2010 to 2021.
Used a difference-in-differences event study model comparing acquired versus nonacquired for-profit hospices on care delivery intensity and Medicare reimbursements.
Private equity acquisitions were associated with declines in registered nurse (5.14%), social worker (12.32%), and home hospice aide minutes (6.62%) per thirty days.
Publicly traded corporate acquisitions were associated with declines in registered nurse (4.63%) and home hospice aide minutes (9.09%) per thirty days.
Reductions in staff visit minutes extended into the last seven days of life and were primarily driven by four large acquiring entities.

Cite This Study

Wen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8309345db41a8ba7af8554 https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01535

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Implication

Retrospective difference-in-differences study reveals reduced visit time among hospice patients after corporate acquisitions, indicating a need for stronger regulatory oversight.

Hospice Acquisitions By Certain Firms And Corporations Were Associated With Reductions In Care Intensity, 2010–21

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Hospice Acquisitions By Certain Firms And Corporations Were Associated With Reductions In Care Intensity, 2010–21

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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