Among payment-related policy changes for the home health industry in 2021 is the elimination of traditional Requests for Anticipated Payment (RAPs) — and the introduction of the “no-pay RAP.” While the change is a potentially costly one for home health agencies, they’re not the only ones struggling to keep up. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have […]
It’s been four weeks since New York home health and hospice workers were deemed eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Since then, the state’s home-based care providers have had to navigate the often tricky process of helping their employees get inoculated. Similar to other parts of the U.S., home health and hospice workers in New […]
When a company goes through a significant leadership reorganization, it’s often the chance to breathe new life into the organization. This can mean a shift in perspective or even a major strategy overhaul. For HomeWell Care Services, which recently announced a series of leadership appointments, a reorganization was an opportunity to lean into rebranding efforts […]
Although workplace diversity has long been seen as a difference-maker for organizations, it’s still rare to see a major company’s board of directors made up of mostly women. In fact, when it comes to representation in U.S. boardrooms, women only make up 20% of public company directors, according to data from the Diligent Institute. In […]
Landmark Health and Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR) have formed a new value-based care partnership designed to serve older adults with complex medical needs. As part of the collaboration, Landmark and SWHR will offer “interdisciplinary medical care” in the home setting. Founded in 2014, the Huntington Beach, California-based Landmark is a multidisciplinary mobile medical group that […]
Pennant kicks off 2021 M&A activity The Pennant Group Inc. (Nasdaq: PNTG) has kicked off its 2021 M&A push. The Eagle, Idaho-based post-acute care provider announced Tuesday it has acquired Sacred Heart Home Health Care, which provides home health services in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The acquisition was effective Jan. 16, 2021. “This strategic, off-market […]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday announced it will amend the reporting timeline for the Provider Relief Fund, giving home health agencies and others more time to prepare required information. The news comes shortly after Congress clarified financial dos and don’ts of the program. Originally, the opening date for HHS’s […]
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an opinion letter allowing home care agencies to implement consistent shift rates that include pre-payment of overtime for caregivers who provide live-in services. In this case, a “live-in shift” is defined as being on the job for 24 hours or more at a time. Broadly, the DOL’s […]
Wage-and-hour litigation, confusing state-level regulations and an increase in federal audits were among the biggest legal trends of 2020. While many of these issues will remain in the year ahead, 2021 will also bring several more legal hurdles for home-based care providers. The decision of whether to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for home health and home […]
The demand for caregivers continues to grow significantly. But unless job quality improves, filling these roles will be an uphill battle. That’s according to PHI, a New York-based advocacy organization for direct care workers. On Tuesday, the organization released a new report detailing recommendations to improve job quality for caregivers. Overall, the direct care workforce […]