As The Year End Looms, Home Care-Related Policy Proposals Heat Up In Washington DC 

Congress has begun discussions on important health care policies set to expire on Dec. 31. On Dec. 3, Republicans submitted a preliminary proposal to Democrats, which includes a three-year extension of Medicare’s telehealth and hospital-at-home programs. They also suggested funding for community health centers and extensions for public health programs in Medicare and Medicaid. The […]

As Home Health Providers Dive Into AI, Study Examines Its Effect On Reducing Documentation Time

Artificial intelligence-powered documentation does not enhance clinician efficiency but may improve their work-life balance, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Wake Forest University School of Medicine conducted a study in mid-2023 comparing 112 primary care clinicians who used Nuance’s […]

Humana Announces Mellet As New CFO Amid Leadership Changes

Celeste Mellet will succeed Susan Diamond as CFO of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) effective Jan. 11, 2025. Diamond is stepping down after an 18-year career at the Louisville, Kentucky-based company and will continue to serve in an advisory role until the end of 2025. “It’s been an honor to work with such talented colleagues during […]

Bridging The Divide: Addressing The Unique Challenges Of Rural Home Health Care Access

Living in an urban area typically offers greater access to a wider range of home care services than living in a rural area. Urban residents generally have more choices regarding providers and facilities, while those in rural areas face challenges such as longer travel distances, limited provider availability and potential concerns about the quality of […]

How Providers Are Turning The Home Into A Hospital

Research has indicated that patients needing care prefer to receive it in their homes rather than in a hospital setting. Health care models like Hospital at Home (HaH) facilitate this preference, but how do providers ensure that patients’ homes are safe for delivering these services? For this evolution to be successful, homes must adapt. They […]

CMS Takes Aim At Prior Authorization Requirements In Medicare Advantage

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing new limits on Medicare Advantage (MA) plans regarding prior authorization, utilization management, coverage decisions and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). These proposed changes aim to address the barriers to accessing care identified by CMS. Data reported to CMS by MA plans show that, on […]

Keeping Referral Partners Happy After Dropping Contracts With Medicare Advantage Plans

Home health providers may walk away from specific health plans due to financial feasibility, administrative burdens, or misalignment with their patient care values and priorities. However, this decision can create short-term challenges with referral partners and health systems, as they may have patients enrolled in those plans. “If a health plan consistently under-reimburses for services […]

Homethrive Eyes Expansion After $20 Million Gain

Homethrive, a provider of technology-enabled caregiving solutions based in Northbrook, Illinois, recently announced the successful completion of its latest funding round, raising more than $20 million. The company has also appointed Ismat Duckson Aziz to its board of directors. The funds will expand Homethrive’s end-to-end caregiving platform, focusing on personalized support and scaling its AI-driven […]

ACHC Awards DispatchHealth With First In-Home Hospital Care Accreditation

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has launched a new accreditation program to establish industry standards for safety, quality and patient-centered home-based acute health care. It also announced its first accredited organization. As health care organizations adopt new care models that respond to patient preferences, improve patient access and create efficiencies in service delivery, […]