OIG Ramps Up Home Health Oversight

When a public health emergency was declared last March, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a variety of waivers allowing home health providers to more easily provide telehealth services during the crisis. Now, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced an audit, dubbed the “HHA Telehealth Project,” that will examine home […]

7.35% Medicaid Boost Critical for Supporting America’s ‘Fragile’ Home-Based Care Infrastructure, Senators Argue

7When the House Energy and Commerce Committee included new Medicaid provisions to the ever-changing $1.9 trillion relief package, home-based care operators were pleased to see a hefty rate bump for home- and community-based care (HCBS). The draft legislation specifically called for a 7.35% rate increase for states to enhance HCBS during the pandemic. There appears […]

50% Cut to Workforce Recruitment, Retention Fund Puts Home Care Providers in the Hot Seat

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled his executive budget proposal for the state in January. Its litany of cost-saving cuts could leave home-based care providers vulnerable, industry stakeholders caution. Specifically, the proposed budget would mean a 50% reduction in home care workforce recruitment and retention funding, as well as a 1% reduction for Medicaid providers […]

House Lawmakers Include 7.35% Medicaid Boost for Home- and Community-Based Services in Stimulus Proposal

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed some major Medicaid provisions to the $1.9 trillion relief package making its way through Congress. If enacted, the measures would benefit home-based care providers across the U.S., at least in the short term. Specifically, the draft legislation includes a two-year, 5% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) boost […]

Labor Policies Threaten Home Care Providers: ‘Agencies Are Truly Getting the Worst of Both Ends’

Home-based care providers are dealing with an ongoing pandemic and simultaneously tackling vaccine education, procurement and distribution. Now, a slew of legislative labor provisions are threatening to disrupt both home health and home care agencies across the country. After President Joe Biden was inaugurated, his administration released a fact sheet that said “workers have a […]

What President Joe Biden’s ‘American Rescue Plan’ Means for Home Care Operators

Before President Joe Biden was sworn in on Wednesday, he had already unveiled plans for another massive stimulus package, one that could help home-based care providers in some ways — and hurt them in others. Under the new president’s “American Rescue Plan,” for instance, there would be $400 billion put forth to increase COVID-19 testing […]

HHS Delays Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements in Response to Updated Utilization Guidelines

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 […]