Home-based care is increasingly delivered under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, often squeezing providers with thin margins. Despite MA’s growing market share, a “substantial” number of consumers are opting to switch back to traditional Medicare, according to new research. More than 35.7 million Americans are currently enrolled in MA plans. However, one in ten switch to […]
Category: Medicare
As Medicare Advantage (MA) continues its rapid rise, nonprofit home health care companies are grappling with unsustainable reimbursement rates, with some forced to walk away from specific care plans. Nonprofit home-based care providers are increasingly struggling to absorb the financial losses associated with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, which now cover the majority of Medicare beneficiaries […]
In-home care can be the most preferred option for patients with progressive diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – but significant costs associated with treatment and funding issues can be barriers to caring for these patients. Home health providers can provide critical in-home services for this patient population while protecting their bottom line, however, […]
Among the storylines to emerge during Q1 2025 earnings calls, I was particularly interested in the divergent results that Addus HomeCare (Nasdaq: ADUS) and Modivcare (Nasdaq: MODV) posted in their personal care segments. While Addus reported a 20.3% year-over-year increase in net service revenue, which leadership directly attributed to its personal care services, Modivcare reported […]
As rates of institutionalization have decreased, a growing majority of patients with dementia choose to live and receive care at home, according to a new study. Rates of home health care use among people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are higher than those without, according to the study, published today in JAMA Network Open. […]
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced its new strategy in response to United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to “Make America Healthy Again” on Tuesday. The announcement was light on details but appears favorable in terms of prioritizing more at-home care. However, federal officials also […]
Leading home-based care providers announced new partnerships and strategic expansions this month in an effort to efficiently and cost-effectively provide care for the growing aging population in the U.S. HomeCentris Healthcare acquires Family First Healthcare HomeCentris Healthcare has acquired Family First Home Healthcare. The deal closed on April 3, and HomeCentris has begun integrating the […]
In what has been considered the most significant shift in recent Medicare policy, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model last year. Home-based care companies are enthusiastically embracing the GUIDE Model, often teaming up with vendors to do so. Care providers already report benefits, including […]
When it comes to unexpected surveys from federal and state regulators, a home health agency’s lack of preparedness can severely undercut the business. To cope with surprise surveys, providers should have comprehensive preparation protocols in place, industry experts told Home Health Care News, including a designated survey response representative, meticulously maintained documentation and ongoing quality […]
The Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) program is designed to provide value-based care access, including home-based care, to underserved communities. New research shows that in its inaugural year, the program fell short of its aims. REACH beneficiaries have lower levels of social risk compared to the overall Medicare population, […]