Legislation Aims to RAISE Support for Family Caregivers

Apart from home health aides, family caregivers are instrumental to delivering care to patients in the home setting—and now, a bill advocating for the crucial role they play is making its move in Washington. Titled the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2017—better known as the RAISE Family Caregivers Act—the bill […]

[Updated] The Trickle-Down Effect of Tax Reform on Home Health

The home health industry is one step closer to witnessing sweeping tax reform, with the bill on its way to President Trump’s desk. As such, the industry could see a windfall—though some cuts to Medicare and Medicaid could be triggered down the line. House and Senate lawmakers voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and […]

Removal of Flu Vaccine Measure to Boost Home Health Star Ratings

Home health agencies participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Quality of Patient Care (QoPC) Star Rating program could see a slight uptick in their average ratings on Home Health Compare, thanks to CMS’ proposed removal of the influenza immunization measure. Currently, home health agencies must be able to report on five […]

Illinois Home Health Fraud Tops $100 Million

In roughly six months, and for a non-refundable fee of $25, any person wishing to operate a home health care agency in the state of Illinois can receive their agency’s license, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). While obtaining a home health license in the state seems pretty straightforward, applying to be […]

How Agencies Can Win with Targeted Probe & Educate

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has certainly kept the home health industry on its toes, with 2017 being a banner year for regulations and proposals. Between the now on-hold home health groupings model (HHGM), and the new conditions of participation (CoPs) set to take effect on January 13, 2018, home health providers […]

Alzheimer’s Population to Double, Underscoring Need for Home Health

The level of care that home health providers can deliver to patients living with Alzheimer’s dementia or mild cognitive impairment can have a profound impact on rehabilitation. This intensive level of care can have greater need in years to come as the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia will more than double in the coming […]

Home Health Players Line Up for Hospice Deals in 2018

The strong role hospice plays in the post-acute care continuum is being realized more and more by consumers, driving a surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and overall interest in the space by home health providers. In fact, during Amedisys, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: AMED) third-quarter earnings call, CEO Paul Kusserow declared the company’s focus on […]

Home Health Stands to Reap Benefits from Tax Reform

The financial ripple effect of the U.S. Senate’s approval early Saturday of the GOP’s $1.5 trillion tax bill is expected to be felt by various industries, including home health. The proposed tax bill can greatly benefit many companies’ bottom lines; however, a provision within the bill is leaving health care providers on edge as to how […]

Online Directory Provides Location-Based Search for Palliative Care

Seeking palliative care for a family member or loved one with a serious illness can be a difficult responsibility. However, the New York-based Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) is looking to make this process easier by introducing its “expanded” online Palliative Care Provider Directory. Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care for people […]

Movers & Shakers: CellTrak, FirstLight Home Care

CellTrak Welcomes New Addition to Executive Leadership Team Schaumburg, Illinois-based CellTrak Technologies, a provider of care delivery management solutions for the home care industry, has appointed Cheryl Reid-Haughian as its new vice president of clinical informatics. As one of CellTrak’s industry advisors, Reid-Haughian will assist in developing content for the industry, customers and CellTrak staff […]