‘Congress Must Intervene’: Home Health Leaders React To Third Consecutive Year Of Payment Cuts

Last week, the wait for the CY 2025 home health final payment rule finally came to end. On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled a rule that included a 0.5% increase to 2025 home health payments, updates to the Conditions of Participation, as well as changes to Low-Utilization Payment Adjustments […]

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 […]

Why Addus Decided To Leave The New York Market

New York has always been a challenging operating environment for Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS). Thus, it came as no surprise when the company announced the sale of its personal care business in that market, as well as its fiscal intermediary services for the state’s consumer-directed care program. On Wednesday, the Addus leadership team shed […]

Addus Leaders Believe More Personal Care Will Help Payers With Medical Loss Ratio

Over the past 12 months, the leaders at Addus HomeCare Corp. (Nasdaq: ADUS) have been increasingly vocal about the company’s involvement in value-based care. The company has established several value-based arrangements across the country, in places like New Mexico, Illinois and Arizona. “There may be a little bit of difference between them, but I think […]

Congresswoman Kat Cammack Introduces Legislation To Block 80-20 Rule

One policymaker is attempting to put a halt to the 80-20 rule. At the start of the week, the “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule was finalized. The 80-20 provision is, arguably, the most controversial component of the Medicaid rule. In summary, the provision calls for 80% of Medicaid payments for home- and community-based services […]

Addus CEO: Individuals, Investors Have ‘Greater Appreciation’ For Medicaid Now

At Addus HomeCare Corp. (Nasdaq: ADUS), Medicaid makes up almost all of the revenue in its personal care business. Instead of looking towards the private-pay market, Addus remains committed to its current business structure. “Today 2%, or so, of our business is what would be called private-pay,” Addus CEO Dirk Allison said during a discussion […]

Home-Based Care Providers Break Down ‘Unintended Consequences’ Of CMS’ Proposed Medicaid Rule

A proposed rule from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – which would require at least 80% of Medicaid reimbursement for home- and community-based services go toward worker compensation – received over 2,100 submissions during its public comment period. Many of the comments included gratitude and appreciation for CMS regarding its efforts […]

CMS Allows States To Extend PHE-Era Flexibilities For HCBS

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended a COVID-19 pandemic-era waiver that will allow home- and community-based service (HCBS) providers to take advantage of flexibilities in their state programs. The Appendix K waiver allowed HCBS providers more wiggle room during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS introduced the waiver to […]