Editor’s Picks: Independence Day Edition

It’s nearly time to break out the fireworks and throw the hot dogs on the grill. Before the 4th of July weekend was upon us, we were eager to bring our readers all the latest happenings in the home health industry.

One of the nation’s largest home health care companies made a splash by announcing the founder was going to give away the $1 billion business rather than sell it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced proposed payment levels for home health in 2017.

Here in the newsroom, we were all about a robot that dispenses medications for a person in their own home.

Home Health Care News will be observing the Independence Day holiday on Monday, July 4. We will return to our regular posting schedule on July 5.

Most Read 

Bayada to Transfer Ownership to New Foundation, Forgoing Sale—One of the top ten largest U.S. home health companies is giving away its business to a newly created charity organization in what might be the first succession plan of its kind for the home health care industry.

CMS to Reduce Home Health Payments by $180 Million in 2017—CMS has proposed reducing Medicare home health payments by 1% in FY2017, or $180 million. The proposed changes to the Medicare home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) follow the federal agency’s proposal to increase hospice payments by 2%, or $330 million, for 2017.

[Updated] Supreme Court Refuses to Take Home Care Minimum Wage Case—The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Home Care Association of America v. Weil, ending a long-running legal saga and putting to rest any question of whether home care workers will be afforded minimum wage and overtime protections.

OIG Flags 500 Home Health Agencies as Fraud Battle Intensifies—Federal authorities are turning up the heat even more in their battle against Medicare home health fraud. The top targets: more than 500 home health agencies and 4,500 physicians identified as having suspicious practices as compared with most providers nationally.

Around the Web

How Telemedicine Is Transforming Health Care—After years of big promises, telemedicine is finally living up to its potential, The Wall Street Journal writes. With more health care providers monitoring patients via video and other sensors, some health benefits are starting to be realized, including reduced length of stay and the ability to reach patients with limited access to care resources.

Are Government Health Care Fraud Takedowns Really Effective?—On the heels of the largest health care fraud takedown ever, a close look at the effectiveness of these actions is due, according to Bloomberg BNA. More details that highlight specifics of those involved in health care fraud could be a more effective deterrant, one lawyer argues.

Amy’s Adds

Flint-Area Home Care Worker One of 9 People Recognized by White House—A Flint, Michigan, home care worker, Barbara Carr, was one of nine people recognized by the White House for being a Champion of Change for the Living Wage. With 15 years of home care experience, Carr is an activist for higher wages for workers, an executive board members at SEIU Healthcare Michigan and a member of Home Care Fight for $15 National Organizing Committee.

Pillo Home Healthcare Robot Gives You the Meds You Need—A new robot provides health services to its owners at home by dispensing medications. Pillo is an artificially-intelligent health care companion for the home.

Written by Amy Baxter