The Home Health Nursing Problem That Isn’t Going Away

The home-based care staffing environment will always be a challenge for providers, but things look far better now than they did two years ago in the wake of the pandemic. However, one area that remains a lingering problem for providers is nurses, and specifically nurses who are leveraging a worker shortage to maximize earning power.  […]

‘Lean Into Your Superpowers’: Bayada COO Champions Women In Home Health Leadership 

Heather Helle, president and chief operating officer of Bayada Home Health Care, believes that home-based care could benefit from having more women in leadership roles. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Moorestown, New Jersey, Bayada provides in-home clinical care and support services for children and adults, including hospice, behavioral health, and rehabilitation in 21 states […]

Turning ‘Pain Points’ Into ‘Bliss Points’: The Chief Experience Officer’s Rise In Home-Based Care

Despite variations in service lines, size and operations, the best home-based care organizations all have one thing in common.  These companies all prioritize the experience — of patients, clients and staff. And while every member of an organization plays a role in shaping the experience, this responsibility largely rests on the shoulders of what is […]

‘Exacerbating Decline In Access’: LHC Group, Enhabit, Bayada Sound Off On CMS’ Proposed Rate Cuts

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) home health proposed payment rule – which would slash rates by 2.2%, or an estimated $375 million less compared to 2023 levels – drew the ire of the industry’s heaviest hitters during the public comment period. The comments were critical of the proposed rule itself. They […]

How Home Health Providers Are Maintaining Positive Referral Relationships Amid Historically High Rejection Rates

With referral rejection rates skyrocketing to new highs in recent years, home health providers have to be more intentional about maintaining strong relationships with referral sources. In 2022, the industry saw a 76% referral rejection rate, compared to 54% in 2019, according to WellSky data. With this in mind, providers are employing a number of […]

Controlling The Controllables: Home Health Giants Improving MA Contracts, Staffing Amid Rate Cuts

The odds are stacked against home health providers. Even while more care is heading to the home, providers have three fundamental problems. The first is that there is an insufficient workforce to meet demand. The second and third are both rate-related. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is actively reducing home health reimbursement […]

Future In Focus: David Baiada, CEO, BAYADA Home Health Care 

The home health industry has gained a front-and-center seat at the table within payer and health system boardrooms. Yet at times, providers still feel like their value isn’t being fully recognized by one of the nation’s most important payers – the Medicare program, managed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). That […]

‘All They Have Is A Hammer’: Home Health Payment Cuts Could Define Industry For Years

For most home health provider leaders, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule was disappointing, but not surprising. Between now and the fall, they’ll be straddling a line. One foot will be in advocacy, doing whatever they can to keep these cuts from becoming finalized, whether that’s through persuasion, congressional action or […]

Lawmakers Seeking To Block Home Health Medicare Cuts

The Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 was introduced Thursday. Its largest objective is to prevent further cuts to home health payments in 2024 and beyond. The bill, if passed, would also strip the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of some of its payment-rate setting power and force the The Medicare […]