A number of major medical groups and senior services associations have joined forces to call for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all health and long-term care workers. This national push for a mandate comes at a time when a new and more infectious strain of coronavirus — the Delta variant — is making the news. “The […]
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice
The Biden administration is releasing $1.4 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for Older Americans Act programs. Distributed by the Administration for Community Living, a chunk of the funds will go toward home- and community-based services. President Joe Biden originally signed the American Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 relief package, into law on March […]
President Joe Biden is trying to make good on one of his main campaign promises. The Biden administration on Wednesday unveiled a new $2 trillion infrastructure proposal to create jobs, build roads, fix bridges and more. On top of that, the proposal — officially dubbed the American Jobs Plan — would substantially increase funding for […]
Among payment-related policy changes for the home health industry in 2021 is the elimination of traditional Requests for Anticipated Payment (RAPs) — and the introduction of the “no-pay RAP.” While the change is a potentially costly one for home health agencies, they’re not the only ones struggling to keep up. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have […]
U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.) introduced the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act last week. If passed, the bill would extend the temporary suspension of Medicare sequestration payment reductions, giving home health agencies and other providers more financial flexibility headed into an uncertain 2021. Since 2014, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & […]
On Tuesday, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — in an overwhelming majority — voted to recommend that health care workers, among others, get first priority on a COVID-19 vaccine when one is authorized. In light of this latest development, the question now becomes: Should home health providers mandate vaccinations for employees? The […]
Over the past several years, it seems as though the home health industry has been inching closer and closer toward the elimination of Medicare’s strict physician-certification policy. Now — thanks to the CARES Act — nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are able to certify eligibility for home health. While […]
The ongoing expansion of Medicare Advantage (MA), a federal minimum-wage hike and additional support for front-line health care workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. These are just a few of the industry-shaping topics that home health insiders are following going into Election Day this Tuesday. While each presidential election is important, 2020 will help […]
Throughout 2020, there have been a number of new laws and legal trends that could have major impacts on the in-home care industry. In order for providers to be successful in the long run, it’s important to remain abreast of the latest developments. That was the message delivered by Angelo Spinola, an attorney and shareholder […]
As health care spending continues to rise, private-duty home care agencies will likely play increasingly important roles in population health management. In total, U.S. health care spending is expected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2025. Often, it’s chronic conditions, social determinants of health and functional limitations that drive that spending upward. The combined pervasiveness of […]
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