[UPDATED] Court Orders VitalCaring to Share 43% of Profits With Encompass Health, Enhabit

A federal judge in Delaware has ordered home health and hospice provider VitalCaring and its private equity backers to share future profits with Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) and Enhabit Inc. (NYSE: EHAB). The court ordered that 43% of VitalCaring’s future profits be placed in trust to benefit Encompass and Enhabit. The remaining 57% would go […]

Home Care Company Sues New York, Calls CDPAP Fiscal Intermediary Selection Process A ‘Sham’

The saga involving New York’s self-directed home care program has taken yet another turn. Last week, a home care company that was not chosen to be the fiscal intermediary for the program moving forward sued the state, alleging that the selection process was rigged. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) has cost the state […]

What The Election Result Means For Home-Based Care Providers

Donald Trump will take over the presidency again in January. There will be many implications for home-based care providers, and details from Trump’s first presidency will help project those. In the weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 election, Trump and Kamala Harris battled over home-based care. Specifically, Harris suggested a personal home care benefit […]

UnitedHealth Group, Amedisys Set For All-Important Meeting With DOJ Officials

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and Amedisys (Nasdaq: AMED) leaders are reportedly expected to meet with officials from the Department of Justice over the next week to discuss their pending deal. The companies will likely make a final case for why the deal should go through, while the DOJ considers whether to officially file a lawsuit […]

While Home Care Is Touted As A Panacea, Rates And Regulations Hold Providers Back

The U.S. health care system is banking on home- and community-based services (HCBS) to help keep seniors and individuals with disabilities at home and away from more costly brick-and-mortar facilities. But for now, incongruent rates mean disparate access to those services state by state. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicaid […]

With The Election Nearing, Candidates Battle Over Home-Based Care

Less than a month before election day, the Democratic and Republican candidates for president are dueling over home-based care plans. Vice President Kamala Harris announced on “The View” this week a proposal that would allow home care to be administered through traditional Medicare. On the same day, former President Donald Trump and his campaign released […]

VNS Health Research Leads To New Diagnostic Code, Aiding Post-Acute Care Providers 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added a new diagnostic code to their annual update of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) list. The new code, z512A, supports providers in hospitals and health facilities by alerting home care clinicians and other post-acute care providers when a patient is being discharged to aftercare following […]

CMS Report Shows Hospital-At-Home Care Increases Recovery, While Decreasing Costs And Readmissions

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a report on a study of its Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) program. This program permits specific Medicare-certified hospitals to provide inpatient-level care to patients in their homes. The report outlines the study’s results and discusses potential future considerations and limitations. The report […]

CMS Releases HCBS Continuity Of Coverage Requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released additional information around continuity of coverage for home- and community-based services (HCBS) beneficiaries. The agency issued an informational bulletin last month reminding states of federal renewal requirements and available flexibilities to ensure continued coverage for individuals eligible for HCBS through Medicaid. This bulletin continues CMS’ […]

Senior-Focused Primary Care Provider Oak Street Health To Pay $60M Settlement Over Kickbacks

Oak Street Health – a key pillar of CVS Health’s (NYSE: CVS) health care services strategy – has reached a $60 million settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The settlement is being paid to resolve allegations that Oak Street violated the False Claims Act, specifically by paying kickbacks to third-party insurance agents. The DOJ […]