Hospice, home health operations change hands

ViaQuest Inc. has acquired the Indiana operations of TriStar Home Health and Hospice, a division of Trilogy Health Services LLC of Louisville, Ky. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition includes:

• Vibrant Home Health Care, serving 22 Indiana counties from locations in Evansville, Huntingburg and Terre Haute;
• Care One Homecare Services, serving 11 central Indiana counties from its Muncie office; and
• Serenity Hospice, serving 25 counties from branches in Lafayette, Fowler and Terre Haute.

The 180 people employed by Vibrant, Care One and Serenity now are employees of ViaQuest.

ViaQuest was founded in 1999 as a provider of health, residential and employment services for individuals with disabilities. In the past eight years, the company has expanded into home health and hospice through new ventures and acquisitions.

ViaQuest Home Health and Hospice serves western Pennsylvania and major metropolitan areas in Ohio. Last month, the company launched what it says is Ohio’s first hospice-based pain management program, which uses a genetic test to help determine which pain medications and dosages are best suited for individual patients. ViaQuest also recently began what it says is the state’s first hospice specifically focused on the special needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.

“This acquisition positions us not only to become a primary home health and hospice provider in the Hoosier State but also to expand the delivery of what is becoming an increasingly important post-acute care model for individuals in this era of health reform,” says Rich Johnson, ViaQuest founder and CEO.

Trilogy Health sold its home care and hospice operations to focus on its core business and will continue to operate its senior living facilities in Indiana, among other states, says Randall Bufford, president and CEO of Trilogy. The company plans to further expand its involvement in the senior living field.

I Advance Senior Care

I Advance Senior Care is the industry-leading source for practical, in-depth, business-building, and resident care information for owners, executives, administrators, and directors of nursing at assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, post-acute facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. The I Advance Senior Care editorial team and industry experts provide market analysis, strategic direction, policy commentary, clinical best-practices, business management, and technology breakthroughs.

I Advance Senior Care is part of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care and published by Plain-English Health Care.