Happy Monday, dear Home Health Care News readers. We’re back after a few days in Washington, D.C. at the National Leadership Conference, put on by the Visiting Nurses Association of America (VNAA), ElevatingHome and the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation.

We’ll be bringing you more coverage from the conference this week. Take a moment to catch up on what we covered last week and what caught our eye around the web over the weekend.

First up, another major retail giant is making waves with its health care insurance plans that could disrupt the industry. Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has been buying health care directly for its workers in six regions and bypassing insurance providers, according to Bloomberg. The move is similar to its retail giant, Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN), which recently announced it own play in the insurance market, teaming up with JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B).

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After a year of ups and downs for the industry, home health care providers need to look at 2018 with fresh eyes for opportunities and changes ahead, according to Fred Bentley, vice president of Avalere Health. Bentley spoke at the National Leadership Conference last week.

One Interim HealthCare franchisor is taking a leaf from the airline industry’s book, after developing a “frequent flier” program aimed at cutting turnover.

HCR ManorCare’s home health and hospice business is poised to get a new owner; Quality Care Properties (NYSE: QCP) announced it would take ownership of the trouble skilled nursing and home health and hospice provider earlier this month.

Written by Amy Baxter