Walgreens Evolves Telehealth Platform with Virtual Doctor Visits App

Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) customers in select states can now utilize the company’s latest telehealth offering, an app that enables virtual doctor visits via a person’s smartphone. The move is the result of an integration between the Deerfield, Ill.-based national drugstore chain and MDLIVE, a telehealth services provider headquartered in Sunrise, Fla. Users of Walgreens’ website […]

Michigan’s House Calls Spark Growing Home Health Fraud Concerns

More seniors aging in place has spurred an increased in physician house calls, and in Michigan, this shift has also triggered more instances of Medicare fraud, reports USA Today.   While doctors’ visits to patients’ homes can help reduce the likelihood of costlier hospital stays, some have argued that Michigan’s lax regulations have led to […]

Medicare Reimbursements Hinder Patients’ Access to Home Health, Report Says

Most home health agencies (HHAs) and physicians report that access to home health care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries is is good, however, insufficient reimbursement remains an issue in serving this vulnerable patient population, according to a new report. That is the sentiment of 1,075 Medicare-ceritfied HHAs and 510 physicians surveyed in a recent report to […]

How Home Health was Vital to a Texas ACO’s Formula for Success

Physicians at a large practice in Amarillo, Texas, were able to slash hospital readmissions by 23% and realize millions in savings after forming an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) last year. The secret to the group’s success: a laser-like focus on home health care. Using a series of sophisticated algorithms, Amarillo Medical Specialists targeted the clinical […]

Employers Start to Tune in on Elder Care Topics

The stresses on family caregivers are becoming more commonplace as the population ages, as are the mounting costs associated with care provided in home.  But there may be some relief for those who are employed and are seeking elder care for a loved one, writes The Washington Post. The share of employers providing information about […]

Move Over Angie’s List, New Startup is Home Health One-Stop Shop

A new startup in Louisville, Kentucky is tackling an age-old dilemma: providing community-based services to seniors still living at home, reports Louisville Business First. Myliance plans to go beyond just providing private-duty skilled nursing services to seniors in their homes. The startup company, which is participating in a program with business incubator XlerateHealth, has its sights […]

Joint Venture Creates Second-Largest Home Health Provider in Western Pennsylvania

This week, officials from two Pennsylvania health care networks announced a joint venture that will combine the home health and hospice assets of each organization to create one of the largest post-acute providers in Western Penn. Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Mars, Penn.-based Celtic Healthcare, Inc. proclaimed their joint venture formation Tuesday to create a […]

Telemedicine Is Top Priority for Home Health, Despite Payment Obstacles

Implementing a telemedicine program is still an utmost priority for a large majority of home health and other health care organizations despite obstacles in getting reimbursed for those services, a new survey suggests. Health care leaders remain committed to implementing telemedicine initiatives within their organizations, even as they face challenges such as getting doctors to buy […]

CMS Finalizes DME Bidding Rule for 2015

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final rule late October for durable medical equipment (DME) payment adjustments. The final rule for calendar year 2015, which is largely unchanged from the proposed rule in July, clarifies certain criteria related to DME, such as methodology for expanding the CMS’ competitive bidding program to […]