Home infusion providers were hoping to get a reimbursement provision through the minefield of the House and Senate, but were ultimately unsuccessful in doing so before the government shut down at 12 a.m. on Jan. 20. Though the Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Access Act (HI Therapy Access Act) has bipartisan support, it needs to be passed […]
Home health agencies participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Quality of Patient Care (QoPC) Star Rating program could see a slight uptick in their average ratings on Home Health Compare, thanks to CMS’ proposed removal of the influenza immunization measure. Currently, home health agencies must be able to report on five […]
In roughly six months, and for a non-refundable fee of $25, any person wishing to operate a home health care agency in the state of Illinois can receive their agency’s license, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). While obtaining a home health license in the state seems pretty straightforward, applying to be […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has certainly kept the home health industry on its toes, with 2017 being a banner year for regulations and proposals. Between the now on-hold home health groupings model (HHGM), and the new conditions of participation (CoPs) set to take effect on January 13, 2018, home health providers […]
The financial ripple effect of the U.S. Senate’s approval early Saturday of the GOP’s $1.5 trillion tax bill is expected to be felt by various industries, including home health. The proposed tax bill can greatly benefit many companies’ bottom lines; however, a provision within the bill is leaving health care providers on edge as to how […]
Happy Monday, Home Health Care News readers. It’s the start of a new week and, believe it or not, we’re just days away from the start of a new month! But before we close the books on October, here is our weekly roundup of our must-read news. This Week in Review At the top of […]
Creating partnerships with local health care organizations and driving the value and benefits to home health is a top priority for industry veteran Brian Fuller, as he settles into his new role as chief strategy officer for Jackson, Michigan-based Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice. His appointment was announced October 13 by the company. […]
Federal health officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have rescinded a proposal that would have required private accreditors to make public any problems or violations they found during inspections of home health agencies. In April, CMS put forward the proposal to require accrediting organizations to post inspection reports and correction plans […]
Home health agency staff do not have nearly as firm a grasp on the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) as they should—and that could spell trouble for agencies nationwide. On average, home health managers’ OASIS competencies come in at around 74%, according to data from Fazzi Associates, a Northampton, Massachusetts-based home care and hospice […]
The validity of the so-called “face-to-face” rule has been upheld in federal court, much to the dismay of an organization representing around 6,000 home health care providers. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) lost a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that challenged the validity of the now-obsolete physician narrative […]