Empassion, Karoo Health Partner on Cardiac-to-Hospice Transitions

Why It Matters

The partnership tackles a costly care gap, promising better outcomes and lower total cost of care for high‑risk cardiac patients. Aligning value‑based payments with coordinated clinical pathways could set a template for broader heart‑to‑hospice integration.

Key Takeaways

• Empassion and Karoo join to bridge cardiac-to-hospice care gap
• Partnership targets 600 late-stage cardiac patients identified via Zing Health
• Warm handover model aims to cut avoidable hospitalizations and costs
• Value‑based payment shares savings with Medicare Advantage partner Zing

Pulse Analysis

The transition from chronic cardiac disease to end‑of‑life care has long been a blind spot in the U.S. health system. Patients often fall into a “gap” where standard cardiology services no longer meet their needs, yet insurance criteria prevent hospice enrollment. This disconnect drives frequent readmissions, escalates use of home health and durable medical equipment, and inflates Medicare spending. By spotlighting the prevalence of this gap, the Empassion‑Karoo alliance underscores a systemic opportunity to redesign care pathways for a growing elderly population.

At the core of the partnership is a coordinated “warm handover” process. Karoo continues to manage cardiovascular conditions using proprietary telehealth tools and a network of 600 cardiac providers across eleven states, while Empassion steps in to deliver palliative symptom management, medication oversight, and caregiver support. The joint model designates a single “quarterback” to synchronize communications among clinicians, reducing the fragmentation that overwhelms families. Empassion’s services—ranging from meal coordination to bereavement counseling—are integrated into the patient’s existing care plan, creating a seamless experience that prioritizes quality of life during the final stages of heart disease.

Financially, the collaboration aligns with value‑based care principles. Zing Health, a Medicare Advantage HMO, receives a per‑member‑per‑month (PMPM) capitated payment from CMS; a portion funds Empassion’s palliative services, while Karoo’s cardiac management remains cost‑neutral. Savings generated from reduced hospital stays and lower DME utilization are shared back with Zing, incentivizing all parties to improve outcomes. If successful, this model could be replicated across other chronic‑illness trajectories, signaling a shift toward integrated, cost‑effective care that bridges specialty silos.