CommonSpirit Health at Home, the home-based care division of the nonprofit CommonSpirit Health system operating over 2,200 care sites in 24 states, has unveiled an aggressive growth strategy for its hospice services in 2026 and beyond. Led by CEO Trisha Crissman, the plan emphasizes de novo developments, joint venture expansions, and innovative upstream engagement to improve earlier hospice enrollment and overall patient outcomes.

The strategy builds on the company's existing portfolio, which includes skilled home health, hospice, palliative care, and home infusion services. A key priority is expanding hospice presence in markets where CommonSpirit has acute care facilities and partnerships. This includes adding complementary hospice services alongside home health operations in existing markets, aiming to serve more communities comprehensively over the next five years.

Crissman highlighted optimism for the hospice industry, citing it as the most robust Medicare benefit for end-of-life care amid an aging population. The company anticipates increased utilization driven by heightened awareness and better access. To address late referrals from acute discharges, CommonSpirit is shifting upstream into physician enterprises, specialty clinics, and ambulatory centers. By leveraging electronic health record (EHR) eligibility triggers and data analytics, navigators in clinics will identify suitable patients earlier, reducing exacerbations and enhancing experiences.

This data-driven approach marks a departure from traditional marketing to communities and facilities, focusing instead on integrated physician alignment. It promises better outcomes by easing the burden on practitioners through technology-enabled identification.

Technology, particularly AI, is a major force shaping operations, with expectations of efficiency gains in clinician engagement and resource allocation. While no acquisitions are planned for 2026, CommonSpirit remains open to joint ventures, especially with struggling providers or health systems. Currently managing 15 successful JVs, these partnerships inform best practices across the platform and support local access to high-quality services.

Home infusion is also evolving toward specialty and chronic therapies, positioning it for transformational growth within 12-24 months. Nursing challenges persist, but technology is expected to aid recruitment and retention by improving work-life balance. As part of one of the nation's largest health systems, CommonSpirit leverages innovation opportunities to push boundaries in home-based care.

This multifaceted strategy underscores a commitment to continuum-of-care expansion, excellence through partnerships, and tech-enabled improvements, setting a strong foundation for sustained growth and impact in hospice and beyond. Hospital administrators and healthcare managers should note how integrated system ties enable such scalable models, potentially informing their own expansion efforts in home-based services.

The announcement, shared at the Home Care 100 conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, reflects broader industry trends toward value-based, patient-centered care transitions. For procurement and facility leaders, it highlights opportunities in EHR integrations, AI tools, and JV structures for hospice infrastructure. Clinical leadership can draw insights on upstream referral models to optimize patient pathways and resource use.

Overall, CommonSpirit's blueprint exemplifies strategic healthcare management in action, balancing organic growth with collaborative models while navigating workforce and tech landscapes. This positions them advantageously for 2026's challenges, including reimbursement dynamics and demographic shifts.