In case you missed them, here are the top headlines grabbing readers’ attention this week, plus some other notable stories from around the web that caught our eye here at HHCN:
Most Read
CMS Moves Forward With Major Hospice Payment Change—A major change in the way hospice providers are reimbursed will indeed go into effect, but not as quickly as originally proposed, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in a final rule. The new payment system will take effect Jan. 1 2016.
HealthSouth Continues Home Health Expansion Through Hospital Alignment—In addition to its recent ramp-up of home health services through acquisition, HealthSouth continues to see expansion opportunities in aligning its locations with major hospitals and acute-care systems.
$1.6 Billion Acquisition Hinges on Acute, Post-Acute Coordination—TeamHealth Holdings Inc. is buying IPC Healthcare Inc. in an all-cash deal with an enterprise value of $1.6 billion, the companies announced Tuesday. The Knoxville, Tennessee-based TeamHealth is a leading provider of outsourced staffing for U.S. hospitals, with more than 14,000 affiliated health care professionals in fields ranging from emergency medicine to anesthesia.
Weekend Reads
An Immigrant-Franchisee Who Truly Built His Home Healthcare Business From Nothing—Entrepreneur.com details the story of Omar Bataineh, who immigrated to the U.S. from Jordan at age 3, and has today built a successful L.A.-area home health franchise, Synergy HomeCare from the ground up.
Where the Elderly Can Age in Place—In their 80s, the residents of one high-rise in New York City are hiking and volunteering and leading active lives in their homes—thanks in part to the building’s designation as part of a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community. The Wall Street Journal shines a spotlight on the benefits of NORCs as well as the challenges, such as meeting the health care needs of residents.
