‘Extensive’ Proposed Rule Sets Stage for Value-Based Purchasing, PDGM Adjustments

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its FY 2022 home health proposed payment rule on Monday, while simultaneously announcing plans for the nationwide expansion of the industry’s value-based purchasing demo. While just a few days have gone by, home health stakeholders have already started to zero-in on several key areas — […]

Biden, Congress Extend Medicare Sequestration Holiday Through 2021

The long and winding saga behind the Medicare sequestration holiday for home health providers and others has come to a close. On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted by a 384-38 margin in favor of a continued sequestration delay. The legislation was one of two measures introduced since early March aimed at delaying […]

With Time Running Out, House Passes Medicare Sequestration Bill

Home health providers are one step closer to getting a continued suspension of Medicare sequestration payment reductions. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1868 by a 246-175 vote on Friday. The bill, originally introduced earlier this month by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), pauses automatic spending cuts to Medicare and other programs for […]

House Bill Looks to Keep Medicare Sequestration ‘Holiday’ in Place for Home Health Agencies, Others

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 & […]

Perspectives: Home Health Insiders Sound Off on the 2020 Election

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 […]

In-Home Care Providers on the Lookout for Next Stimulus Package

Although concrete details are largely unknown, in-home care providers remain on the lookout for the next coronavirus-related stimulus package. Specifics on a possible fifth stimulus package could be released as early as this week, policy experts believe.  “I think that’s the question, whether or not a package comes together that everyone agrees to before the […]

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Home Health Providers May See Spike in Whistleblower Lawsuits

Home health providers have had to navigate through a slew of regulatory changes over the past three months. Some of those changes will end up permanent, while others are bound to go away. Non-physician certification, telehealth technology and new infection control protocols are examples of long-lasting changes linked to the COVID-19 virus. Meanwhile, cash flow […]

5 Things Home Health Providers Want CMS to Fix

The home health care industry is not pleased with the 2020 proposed payment rule — and industry leaders are making sure the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) knows. Led by LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) CEO Keith Myers, the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) has sent a letter to CMS Administrator Seema […]

Lawmakers Join Fight Against Home Health Groupings Model

The home health care industry is in a full blitz against the Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM), if the public comments on the proposal are any indication. Now, lawmakers have joined the fight, as the public comment period comes to a close on September 25. The groupings model was proposed by the Centers for Medicare […]