Hospice Maui moved quickly this week to calm worried island families after federal officials hit pause on new Medicare hospice and home health enrollments. The Wailuku nonprofit stressed that long-standing, Medicare-certified providers like itself are not the focus of the federal action, and that patients already in its care will continue to receive visits, medications and support services without interruption. The organization also pointed families to a direct phone line for anyone who wants a real person to walk them through what the freeze does and does not mean.
On May 13, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an immediate six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollments for hospices and home health agencies, describing it as a program integrity move to clamp down on fraudulent operators, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency said the freeze applies to new enrollments and certain ownership changes while it ramps up data-driven investigations and targeted enforcement.
In a statement released to Maui Now, Melanie Dwyer, RN, MSN, CEO of Hospice Maui, said, "For 45 years, the people of Maui have placed their trust in us during the most sacred moments of life." The organization added that it supports strong oversight that "distinguishes responsible providers from bad actors" and emphasized that its services remain steady despite the federal freeze on new enrollments.
Hospice Maui's Local Operations
Founded in 1978, Hospice Maui states that it serves patients and families across Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, providing home-based hospice, palliative and pediatric care, according to Hospice Maui. The group operates the five-bed Hospice Maui Hale near Maui Memorial Medical Center and lists its main office at 400 Mahalani Street in Wailuku.
What Families Should Know
Federal officials have stressed that the moratorium will not interrupt care from already enrolled providers and that existing hospices can continue serving Medicare beneficiaries, per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. At the same time, hospital and provider groups have warned that blanket freezes can strain rural discharge options and complicate access in underserved regions, a concern highlighted by the American Hospital Association.
How To Check a Provider
Hospice Maui encouraged families to look up any provider’s ratings and inspection history using Medicare’s Care Compare tool and to call the organization with questions. Search quality scores through Medicare.gov or call Hospice Maui at (808) 244-5555 for local guidance.
For now, local leaders say the priority is keeping care consistent for Maui families while federal investigators focus on unscrupulous operators elsewhere. Hospice Maui’s leadership said it welcomes scrutiny that protects patients and invites anyone with concerns or confusion about the moratorium to reach out directly.
