Hospice agencies face unprecedented compliance challenges that can result in devastating financial consequences. OSHA penalties range from $16,550 per violation for serious violations to $165,514 per violation for willful or repeated violations, while CMS has adopted new policies and safeguards to quickly identify and take action against hospices, with nearly 400 hospices under review for potential administrative action.
The unique nature of hospice care compounds these challenges. Home healthcare workers have little control over their work environment which may contain a number of safety and health hazards, including bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards, latex sensitivity, ergonomic hazards from patient lifting, violence, hostile animals and unhygienic and dangerous conditions.
The Hidden Pain Points: What Hospice Agencies Really Struggle With
Unlike generic occupational health providers, we understand the unique challenges hospice agencies face. Our occupational health services are specifically designed to address the regulatory requirements and operational realities of home-based care. Here are some hidden pain points that hospice agencies struggle with, and how we can help.
#1: Scattered Documentation Across Multiple Systems
Most hospice agencies juggle multiple vendors for different compliance requirements, one company for drug testing, another for physical exams, a third for TB testing. This creates documentation gaps, delayed results, and audit nightmares.
How Mobile Health Solves This: Our comprehensive platform consolidates all occupational health requirements under one system, providing a single source of truth for all compliance documentation.
#2: Slow Turnaround Times Delaying Patient Care
When a new hospice worker can’t start because their TB test results are delayed, patients suffer. Industry-standard turnaround times of 5-7 days create staffing gaps during critical periods.
How Mobile Health Solves This: With our industry-leading 1.9-day average turnaround time, hospice agencies can onboard quickly and maintain continuous care for patients.
#3: Audit Panic and Survey Unpreparedness
In 2023, CMS embarked on a nationwide hospice site visit project, making unannounced site visits to every Medicare-enrolled hospice. Many agencies operate reactively, scrambling to prepare documentation only when facing imminent surveys.
How Mobile Health Solves This: Our Client Portal provides instant access to all compliance records, ensuring you’re always audit-ready without last-minute scrambling.
#4: Staff Resistance to Compliance Requirements
Hospice workers entered the field to help patients, not to navigate complex regulatory requirements. Burdensome compliance processes can increase turnover in an already challenging staffing environment.
How Mobile Health Solves This: Our Patient Portal allows staff to schedule appointments at their convenience, our nationwide network of 6,500 clinics minimizes travel time and disruption, and our on-site testing option makes completing required compliance exams as easy as showing up at your location.
Compliance as Competitive Advantage
In an industry where trust and reliability are paramount, maintaining compliance standards isn’t just about avoiding penalties, it’s about building a reputation that attracts the best staff.
Ready to transform your hospice compliance program? Learn more about Mobile Health’s comprehensive occupational health solutions designed specifically for hospice agencies.
Mobile Health has been delivering specialized occupational health and employee screening solutions for healthcare organizations since 1984. Our hospice-focused compliance programs help agencies maintain regulatory standards while reducing administrative burden and supporting exceptional patient care.
