The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Thursday that users of Home Health Compare — its consumer-facing database of home health provider quality information — can expect to see a major revamp. CMS plans to roll Home Health Compare and seven other Compare sites into one tool called “Medicare Care Compare” sometime this […]
It’s safe to say that 2019 was a banner year for Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED). The Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based company doubled down on hospice — announcing a number of deals. On the personal care side, Amedisys entered into and saw success in an innovative partnership with ClearCare Inc. Over the past few years, Amedisys has […]
In what is being called a historic step forward on the wage and labor front, the state of Illinois recently reached two contract agreements with SEIU Healthcare Illinois — covering 30,000 home care workers. “After years of instability, I’m proud these contracts deliver good wages and good benefits to the people who offer this critical […]
HCAOA elects new board president The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) has elected Emma Dickison as the new president of its board of directors. Washington, D.C.-based HCAOA represents nearly 3,000 companies that employ more than 500,000 caregivers. Dickison brings her background as CEO of Home Helpers Home Care — a company she’s been with […]
Over the past few years, non-medical home care has become a pillar service within the broader health care continuum for its ability to improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction. Due to that success, some believe home care should be covered under Medicare, just like home health or hospice care. Dr. Laurie Archbald, an associate professor […]
With a growing hospital-at-home program, popular in-home primary care line and connections to an innovative palliative care model, CareMore Health is all-in on health care’s shift toward home. And now CareMore — part of Anthem Inc. — is sharing some survey stats to back up its home-focused strategy. CareMore is an integrated health plan and […]
Two home-focused health care startups — one familiar and one new — have raised a boatload of cash to grow their businesses. With guidance from former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and other well-known operators, CareBridge launched Monday by announcing an initial $40 million funding round. On the same day, the business that runs […]
Now that the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) is the new normal, the home health industry is entering the most pivotal time for consolidation since the shift to the Prospective Payment System (PPS). With that in mind, Lafayette, Louisiana-based LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) expects to see a major spike in terms of market share gain […]
The 2019 fiscal year concluded with the Department of Justice (DOJ) bringing in $2.6 billion in recoveries involving health care fraud and false claims. Home health-related fraud was a large part of these efforts. This marks the 10th consecutive year that the department’s civil health care fraud settlements and judgments have exceeded $2 billion. The […]
We’re less than 10 days into the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), but already some industry experts are hearing about the forthcoming shutdown of home health agencies. PDGM — the biggest home health reimbursement overhaul in two decades — began on Jan.1. “Right now, it’s really early to see some of these scenarios,” Mike Dordick, president […]