Private health insurance spending grew by $101.3 billion between 2016 and 2018. Virtually none of that growth was tied to home health care services, however. The insights into private health insurance spending over the past few years come from a recent economic analysis put together by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), a Washington, […]
Category: Medicare Advantage
LHC Group hires chief information officer LHC Group (Nasdaq: LHCG) has a new IT chief. Earlier this month, the Lafayette, Louisiana-based LHC Group announced that former health insurance veteran Mohammad Ali will join the company as its chief information officer. Ali’s tenure as CIO will officially begin Dec. 2. In his role as CIO, Ali […]
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 […]
U.S. home care providers have likely seen the news: 12% of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will offer some sort of expanded supplemental benefits in 2020. But while some agencies are enthusiastic about the expansion and preparing for a competitive MA landgrab next year, others are saying “not so fast.” At least 364 MA plans will […]
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. […]
Don’t count Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) among those worried about the major home health reimbursement overhaul coming up in 2020. While some shun the forthcoming payment changes, Humana is actually excited about them, according to CEO and President Bruce Broussard. In addition to being one of the country’s largest health insurance organizations and a dominant […]
The Medicare Advantage boom for home care is almost here. Ever since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) first expanded the scope of Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits in April 2018, at-home care providers have been trying to figure out they fit into a potentially new reimbursement puzzle. At least initially, it appeared […]
Newfound Medicare Advantage (MA) flexibilities have encouraged many of the big U.S. insurers to pursue tighter relationships with home- and community-based care providers for the 2020 plan year. But up-and-coming MA players are doing the same, including the still large but slightly lesser-known senior-focused health services company Alignment Healthcare. Alignment revealed several new socially conscious, […]
As the health care system continues to move toward a value-based model, at-home care providers are eager to show their worth. Many hope to do that in part by coordinating with clinical and community partners to deliver holistic care and improved patient outcomes. But despite those ambitions, care coordination is easier said than done. “Projects […]
With only a few short months to go in 2019, the year is rapidly winding down. As home care leaders take stock of their 2020 priorities, many remain focused on contracting with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, some of which still lack a basic understanding of what home care services actually look like. Among those leaders […]