Press Release on CMS Moratorium

In The News:

Trellis Supportive Care Supports CMS Efforts to Strengthen Hospice Oversight

Winston-Salem, NC – May 25, 2026 – On May 13, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a nationwide six-month moratorium on the enrollment of new hospice providers into the Medicare program. This temporary measure is part of a broader effort to address fraud, waste, and abuse in parts of the hospice and home health industry.

Under this moratorium, new hospice and home health agencies are temporarily unable to enroll in Medicare, helping ensure that existing providers meet the highest standards of care and accountability.

Trellis Supportive Care supports these efforts to strengthen oversight and protect patients and families.

“Hospice care should always represent dignity, compassion, and trust,” said Dr. Mike Lalor, CEO of Trellis Supportive Care. “Actions that address bad actors in our industry are necessary to preserve the integrity of hospice and ensure that patients receive the quality care they deserve.”

Trellis Supportive Care wants to reassure patients, families, referral partners, and the broader community that this moratorium does not impact its services or operations. The organization continues to provide hospice, palliative, and supportive care throughout the region without interruption.

“We understand that headlines like these may raise questions for families looking for professional hospice care,” Lalor added. “We want our community to know that we fully support accountability and transparency, and we remain deeply committed to delivering the highest standard of care.”

For nearly 50 years, Trellis Supportive Care has served as North Carolina’s first community-based, nonprofit hospice, building a reputation for trusted, patient-centered care. As a nonprofit organization, Trellis reinvests every dollar into supporting patients and families, not shareholders.

“We exist for one purpose: to improve quality of life and care for people with integrity, dignity, and compassion,” said Lalor. “That mission guides every decision we make.”

Trellis Supportive Care also emphasizes that high-quality hospice care extends beyond what Medicare fully reimburses. Services such as advance care planning, complementary therapies, grief counseling, and individualized attention are essential to patient and family well-being, and Trellis remains committed to providing these services regardless of financial gaps.

“At the end of life, care should never be driven by profit,” Lalor said. “It should be guided by what patients and families truly need.”
For more information about Trellis Supportive Care and its services, visit www.TrellisSupport.org or contact: Ann Gauthreaux at AGauthreaux@TrellisSupport.org