States Where the Registered Nurse Shortage Will Be Worst

Home health agencies already consistently say that staffing is their greatest challenge, and the issue may only get worse in the coming years. While a potential shortage of home health aides and personal caregivers already has been called a “crisis,” many areas of the country also are staring down the barrel of registered nurse (RN) shortages. […]

VNAA: Clock is Ticking on Home Health CoP Rule Guidance

The Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) is not yet calling for the new home health Conditions of Participation (CoP) rule to be delayed, but it would like to see interpretive guidance for the massive regulation within 30 days.* The home health provider association is sending a letter to CMS this week to push for […]

Trump Order Could Place Home Health Regulations on Chopping Block

For every new regulation, two must be cut. That’s one of the latest directives coming from President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order on Jan. 30 that aims to cut back on burdensome regulations for American businesses and reduce regulatory spending. With the new order, home health care organizations are eyeing a new “window […]

Home Health Sector Faces Short Deadline for Sweeping New Rule

The home health industry is about to be inundated with new regulations after a long-expected update of the Conditions of Participation (CoP) was released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Monday. With the introduction of the final rule that defines what is needed to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, home […]

CMS Issues Final Rule to Modernize Home Health Conditions of Participation

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule outlining the Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation (CoP) for home health agencies. Prior to the new finalized rule published Monday, the CoPs had not been updated in roughly two decades, when many of the requirements were first created. The new rule was long-expected […]

CMS Again Bans New Home Health Agencies in Fraud Hotspots

The new year will not bring new home health agencies to Florida, Illinois, Michigan, or Texas. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is once again extending a moratoria on new HHAs in those states. CMS first barred new Medicare-certified home health agencies in select counties in 2011, under authority granted by the Affordable […]

Home Health Group Takes Aim at New Congress

With a new Congress already in place on Capitol Hill and the incoming Trump administration set to assume its post in the next few weeks, home health care industry groups are looking to push forth familiar agendas. On the docket of industry groups are several bills that would improve new regulations or put a stop […]

Business Briefs: GreatCall Acquires Healthsense

GreatCall Acquires Healthsense Connected health company GreatCall Inc. has announced the acquisition of Healthsense, which provides remote monitoring services for seniors. The acquisition will help GreatCall seniors find connected health services in senior living and health care. “As GreatCall continues to expand in these key markets, Healthsense is a natural fit—with our mission of increasing […]

Senate Bill Would Extend Independence at Home Demonstration

A pilot program that incentivizes the delivery of home-based health care for chronically ill patients may be extended if newly introduced legislation passes. The Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care Working Group introduced the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2016 (S. 3504) on Dec. 6. The bipartisan legislation, among other […]