PDGM Overshadowing Evolution of Home Health Providers into Aging-in-Place Companies

The Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) is overshadowing the rapid evolution of the industry’s largest home health providers. Over the past several years, home health giants Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED), Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) and LHC Group (Nasdaq: LHCG) have each graduated from relatively one-dimensional enterprises into fully integrated aging-in-place companies that operate across the […]

LHC Group CFO: PDGM ‘Will Come and Go,’ But Value-Based Care Is Here to Stay

The Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) will largely come and go, leaving ample growth opportunities in its wake for the market’s biggest home health providers. With that in mind, LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG), has its long-term sights set on landing more value-based payment agreements. That’s according to CFO Joshua L. Proffitt, who discussed PDGM, LHC […]

Addus CEO Lauds Illinois Rate Increases

Over the years, Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) has faced its fair share of Illinois budget woes. But the company has finally received some positive news, announcing Monday that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved two Illinois budgeted rate increases for the next couple years. Combined, the Frisco, Texas-based Addus expects […]

Signs Point to Non-Physician Home Health Certification Initially Happening Under Medicare Advantage

A bill that would eliminate Medicare’s physician-certification policy has drawn industry-wide support. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may first opt to test non-physician certification through Medicare Advantage (MA) in lieu of traditional Medicare. The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2019 — H.R. 2150 — was introduced in April. If […]

Why Home Health Providers Will Need to ‘Spoon-Feed’ Physicians Under PDGM

The home health industry is right on the cusp of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) becoming the new normal. Among its changes, the payment overhaul gets rid of scores of previously acceptable primary diagnosis codes under the Prospective Payment System (PPS). In fact, PDGM has roughly 40% fewer acceptable codes compared to the current payment […]

New HCAOA Executive Director Looks to Grow Membership, Strengthen Home Care’s Data Capabilities

The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) is undergoing a leadership shakeup. The Washington, D.C.-based trade group announced Tuesday that long-time home care leader Vicki Hoak is taking over as executive director. Hoak takes over the role previously filled by Phil Bongiorno. Moving forward, Hoak will be tasked with helping U.S. home care providers navigate […]

CMS Proposes New Rule Targeting Fiscal Integrity of Medicaid

In September, the owner and operator of an Atlanta-based in-home care provider pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicaid in a $1.2 million scheme. Shortly before that, a Boston-based in-home provider agreed to pay $1.95 million in a settlement to resolve allegations that it submitted Medicaid claims without physician authorization in August. These cases are both part […]

Government-Run ‘Caregiver Peace Corps’ Unlikely to Dent US Home Care Business

Currently, there’s the Peace Corps for U.S. volunteers looking to make a socioeconomic difference abroad. Soon, there might be something for prospective caregivers looking to make a difference at home. In the midst of the dire caregiver crisis plaguing the home care industry, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is now working to establish a […]

Aetna Medicare CMO: Home-Based Care Now Critical Part of Health Care Ecosystem

When Aetna, a CVS Health company (NYSE: CVS), announced 2020 Medicare Advantage (MA) offerings, the company set out to go beyond simply offering its members a list of benefits. Instead, the company wanted to take a more holistic approach to health, stressing that individuals’ social and personal needs play key roles in keeping them healthy.  […]

LHC Group Revs Its JV Engine; Papa Teams Up with HomeThrive

LHC Group and LifePoint Health cement JV partnership LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) and LifePoint Health have further cemented their joint venture partnership with the purchases CMH Home Health Care, Casa de la Paz Hospice and St. Joseph Family Hospice. CMH Home Health Care is a home health provider that serves Clinton County, Ohio. Casa […]