Peter Schorsch
Compassionate Care Hospice (CCH) said Wednesday it has resumed operations in Central Florida and is accepting new patients after being forced to shut down because of a mix-up involving its license renewal.
“After a few stressful, emotional months, I am pleased to say that we have reopened our doors and will immediately be providing services to members of the community,’’ said Judith Grey, chief operating officer for Compassionate Care Hospice. “We are extremely grateful to the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott for taking up the issue during the 2015 Legislative Session and helping identify a workable solution.”
CCH was ordered to close after receiving notification from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration in March that it didn’t receive CCH’s license renewal notice and, therefore, was no longer authorized to provide hospice care. Compassionate Care tried to avoid closing by providing documentation that the renewal was mailed on time, but AHCA officials said they were unable to grant the renewal because state law had no provision for addressing lost paperwork.
Without a license, Compassionate Care’s nearly 250 patients in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties had to be abruptly transferred to other hospice providers, causing considerable disruption for the patients and their family members during an already difficult time. CCH was forced to notify 150 hard-working, devoted employees that their employment status was changing until the issue was resolved.
“This was an extremely difficult time for our patients, their families and our employees,’’ program director Rana McClelland said. “We apologize for any sorrow and inconvenience this caused and look forward to getting back to helping people.’’
Compassionate Care has hired a team of social workers, nurses, aides and a chaplain to start visiting patients at their homes and healthcare facilities this week. All previously worked at CCH and were eager to come back, McClelland said. As additional clients are referred, Compassionate Care hopes to hire more people.
Compassionate Care was able to obtain a new license and resume operations quickly thanks to the efforts of state lawmakers who unanimously passed legislation allowing CCH to go through a streamlined application process. Without the legislation, the licensing process could have taken a year.
CCH is especially grateful to Sens. Kelli Stargel, Denise Grimsley, Aaron Bean and Jack Latvala and Reps. Ray Rodrigues, Colleen Burton and Neil Combee for their efforts in creating the legislative fix and resolving the situation right away. It is also grateful to Gov. Rick Scott for signing the bill into law on May 14 and to AHCA Secretary Elizabeth Dudek and her staff for reviewing and processing the license application in a timely manner.
“Not in my wildest dreams would I imagine that a missing license renewal would require a change in law,’’ Grey said. “I am forever thankful to everyone who helped give us the tools needed to reopen our doors and start serving more people.’’
