Hospice Care in Collier County could soon be expanding – after a state review found the county is underserved. Every six months the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration reviews each of the state’s 27 hospice service areas to determine if needs are being met. The agency’s most recent review listed Collier as one of three areas in Florida where more hospice care is necessary.

Eight agencies have begun the application process. Chief of the state’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation - Jeff Gregg – says it’s a competitive process…

“I would expect that we will get large, complicated applications because in addition to submitting information to us for review, they’re also competing against one another.”

Seven of the applicants are for profit hospice providers from outside Florida. The eighth is Fort Myers-based Hope Hospice. It’s President - Samira Beckwith - says while the process is highly competitive, she’s confident in what Hope Hospice has to offer.

“There have been many studies that have shown that community-based hospice such as ours provide more comprehensive services to all people regardless of their ability to pay, and regardless of their reimbursement status. And none of the other applicants…I just know that they don’t provide the same level of services that we provide.”

All eight hospice providers have until the end of December to submit their full applications to the state. A final decision should be made at the end of February.