Access to transportation remains a challenge for many older Americans, whether that means getting to an important medical appointment, going grocery shopping or meeting a few friends for coffee. It’s a point several home care providers are actively tackling through ride-hailing partnerships, especially as potential hospital and health system referral sources prioritize social determinants of […]
While the number of home health workers per capita available to seniors in the U.S. is increasing, those employees are seeing a population with more behavioral health challenges than they have in years past. Those are just a few select findings from the American Health Rankings 2019 Senior Report from the United Health Foundation, a […]
Earlier this month, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare announced it was expanding the company’s bundled payment offerings to providers participating in its Medicare Advantage (MA) plan networks. Home health care is primed to play a major role in that expansion, Jeff Meyerhofer, president of bundled payment solutions for UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare & Retirement division, told Home Health Care News […]
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is reportedly in talks with multiple private Medicare plans about its smart watch product and the role it can play in preventing negative health outcomes for older adults. Cupertino, California-based Apple released its redesigned and re-engineered Apple Watch toward the end of 2018. Among its features, the smart device boasts a […]
Home Health Care News Perspective: With certain non-skilled in-home care services allowable under the Medicare Advantage program in 2019, the home care industry has made landing partnerships with health plans a top priority. But significant opportunities may not arise until 2020, experts predict. Just 3% of MA plans will next year offer in-home support services such as […]
In-home care providers aren’t the only players looking forward to expanded Medicare Advantage (MA) benefits in 2019. Insurers that offer MA plans—notably behemoth UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH)—are also looking ahead and seeing the addition of more benefits as a major bonus. Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group offers medical benefits through its businesses UnitedHealthcare and Optum, which also provides some […]
Investors were bullish on home care on Tuesday, following news that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans would officially be allowed to cover non-skilled home care services starting in 2019. Care providers were excited as well, making the case that they are well-positioned to seize this opportunity, even as they are trying to determine its scope. The […]
LHC Group (Nasdaq: LHCG) and Almost Family have now officially become the second-largest U.S. home health provider. The combined company is moving forward on a plan to be a “house of brands” offering a full continuum of home health, personal care and hospice services in hundreds of markets across the country. In November 2017, the […]
In the midst of acquiring a stake in the largest home health provider in the nation, insurance giant Humana (NYSE: HUM) might also be in early stage talks to itself be acquired by retail behemoth Walmart (NYSE: WMT). The combination of Humana and Walmart, though far from certain, would potentially be a game-changer for home […]
Medicare Advantage plans would receive a 1.35 percent net payment increase, on average, in calendar year 2017, according to a proposal released Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency also floated changes in how risk adjustment would be calculated for MA plans that serve many seniors dually eligible for Medicare […]