VITAS Healthcare to Sponsor, Exhibit and Host Panel at 2017 AHIP Institute & Expo

MIAMI--()--VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, will have a significant presence as Platinum Level sponsor at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute & Expo, being held June 7–9, 2017, in Austin, Texas.

VITAS’s presence at AHIP will focus on showcasing its proven, seamless care transitions for patients with complex needs to healthcare providers who want to improve the quality of end-of-life care for their members, increase patient and family satisfaction and help their organizations manage their medical cost ratio. These conversations will take place at VITAS’ booth #625 at any time or by scheduling an appointment by clicking HERE.

Representing VITAS at AHIP are President and CFO David Wester, SVP and National Medical Director Joseph Shega, M.D., SVP and Chief Marketing Officer Drew Landmeier, and several members of the company’s National Accounts department, who are responsible for establishing strategic partnerships with ACOs, bundled payment conveners, managed care organizations, hospital systems, care management companies, assisted living companies, long-term care providers, disease management companies, and more.

“The collaborative efforts of hospice providers, clinicians and insurance organizations creates a specialized care process that not only reduces healthcare costs, but provides patients with the highest quality of care,” said VITAS President and CFO David Wester. “We look forward to sharing our insights and hearing from others in the industry about successful partnerships that are caring for patients with complex conditions.”

Attendees are welcome to attend VITAS’ AHIP Session “Outcome-Aligned Partnerships that Integrate Care Delivery for Individuals with Advanced Illness”

Thursday, June 8, 2017
7:45–8:30 a.m. CDT

Room 12AB, Austin Convention Center

500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Description: Recognition of gaps within the care continuum is key to ensuring patient-centered quality care. Patients with advanced illnesses commonly experience gaps in care, which may lead to care that is not consistent with their wishes and/or values, particularly during periods of transition. All parties, including health plan providers, benefit from effective acute and post-acute care partnerships that identify patients with advanced illness who no longer respond to curative treatments. In this session, stakeholders across the continuum will present examples of successful partnerships with palliative care and hospice groups that enhance patient experience, improve quality benchmarks, and integrate beneficial and effective care, which together mitigate risk and create value for patients with progressive serious illness.

Panelists:

  • Joseph Shega, M.D., senior vice president and medical director for VITAS Healthcare, is board certified in geriatrics and hospice and palliative medicine. He is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Central Florida, on the editorial board of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, and a member of the Academy of Medicine roundtable on quality care for persons with serious illness.
  • Jeffrey T. King, RN, MBA, is vice president of healthcare services for Molina Healthcare of Florida, which provides managed healthcare services to 750,000 members in 37 counties throughout Florida.
  • Shellie Williams, M.D., is director of geriatric medicine and palliative medicine education at Pritzker School of Medicine, a member of the University of Chicago Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators, and a member of the board of directors for the University of Chicago ACO.

VITAS offers personalized end-of-life care plans that improve patients’ quality of life, resulting in higher CAHPS® scores and meeting multiple HEDIS® benchmarks. VITAS’ longitudinal care continuum also offers a reduction in the following areas: 911 calls, ED visits, critical care unit utilization, hospital readmissions, medication spend and length of stay. Visit us at VITAS.com/partners

About VITAS Healthcare

VITAS® Healthcare, a pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, is the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, VITAS operates 44 hospice programs in 14 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. As of the first quarter of 2017, VITAS employs 11,606 professionals who care for terminally ill patients daily, primarily in the patients’ homes, but also in the company’s 32 inpatient hospice units, as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities for the elderly. At the conclusion of the first quarter of 2017, VITAS reported an average daily census of 16,319. Visit www.vitas.com.

This press release represents the views of VITAS Healthcare, not America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

Contacts

VITAS Healthcare
For Media Inquiries:
Claudia Quintana, 305-350-4359
Director of Media & Public Relations
Claudia.Quintana@vitas.com

Release Summary

VITAS Healthcare will have a significant presence as Platinum Level sponsor at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute & Expo, being held June 7–9, 2017, in Austin, Texas.

Contacts

VITAS Healthcare
For Media Inquiries:
Claudia Quintana, 305-350-4359
Director of Media & Public Relations
Claudia.Quintana@vitas.com