Read the latest from HomeCare contributors on how to run your home health agency, whether you're providing skilled care and therapy, managing a care plan, working in the hospice field or supporting personal care.  

Genworth releases cost of care survey results for 2023: 20 years of tracking long-term care costs

RICHMOND, Virginia—The cost of long-term care services increased across all provider types and increased more substantially for certain settings, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2023. The most substantial cost increases occurred in home health aide and homemaker services costs. Inflation and the shortage of skilled care workers are the core drivers of increases in the costs of care services.

It was alleged the home health agency violated the False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid for reimbursement

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—Family First Home Health Care, Inc. (Family First), a home health care agency located in Gastonia, North Carolina, (now d/b/a Gaston Piedmont Health Care Inc.), and its owner Marion James have agreed to collectively pay $600,000 to resolve allegations that they knowingly violated the Federal and North Carolina False Claims Acts from Jan. 1, 2015, through Jan. 9, 2020, by submitting thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicaid for reimbursement, announced Dena J.

Tampa-Area health care company announces the sale of three properties in accordance with its strategic plan to reinvest into programs, patients & colleagues. 

TAMPA, Florida—Empath Health, a health care organization dedicated to providing care to individuals facing serious illness and grief, announced a decision to sell multiple properties as part of a broader initiative to reinvest in the community, enhance programming and support colleagues.

Local family opens Always Best Care of Edmonton East to deliver in-demand senior care services to the community

ROSEVILLE, California—Always Best Care Senior Services, a senior care franchise system in the United States, announced the opening of its second location in Alberta, Canada. Always Best Care of Edmonton East is now providing senior care services throughout Edmonton, Sherwood Park and surrounding areas. The new business is owned by a local family, Gladys Muwhen, Owen Fregene and Igho Muwhen.

President Biden called for the nation to stand up for seniors in SOTU

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden highlighted the value of homecare during his State of the Union Address on Thursday, March. 7. 

"Imagine a future with home care and elder care so seniors and people living with disabilities can stay in their homes and family caregivers get paid what they deserve," Biden said. "Tonight, let’s all agree once again to stand up for seniors."

Biden also discussed his goal to block continued Medicare cuts that health care as a whole has seen. 

Home Care Pulse recognized JFS Care with three awards for its work in the homecare field

LOS ANGELES—Post-acute health care experience management, research and data specialists Home Care Pulse (HCP) was once again recognized by JFS Care as a leader in home care with three awards: Best of Home Care—Leader in Experience, Best of Home Care—Provider of Choice and Best of Home Care—Employer of Choice.

The homecare company ranks among the top businesses that consistently set & meet the highest standards of care

CINCINNATI, Ohio—FirstLight Home Care announced it was named a 2024 Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider by Home Care Pulse (HCP).

According to Home Care Pulse, as a Best of Home Care Endorsed National Provider, the homecare company ranks among the top businesses that consistently set and meet the highest standards of care for their clients and families.

AAHomecare asks industry advocates to make their voices heard by reaching out to their senators and representatives

WASHINGTON—AAHomecare’s lobbying team and other home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders remain engaged in advocating for including extended 75/25 blended-rate relief among health care provisions in government spending packages needed in advance of March 1 and March 8 funding deadlines. HHS funding is subject to the March 8 deadline.

Loy was honored at the 64th International Franchise Association Annual Convention

PHOENIX—The International Franchise Association (IFA) has named Samantha Loy, owner of three Always Best Care offices in Central North Carolina, as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Loy was honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

IntellaTriage acquires hospice triage competitor, NurseLine

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee—IntellaTriage, a provider of after-hours nurse-first triage services for hospice and home health, announced its strategic acquisition of NurseLine, a prominent nationwide provider of hospice and home health triage services. The transaction was completed for an undisclosed sum.

The two providers signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture partnership for homecare and hospice

Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH), the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the U.S., and Compassus, a national provider of home-based health care services, announced they have signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture partnership for BSMH homecare and hospice. Under the agreement, Compassus will manage operations for 10 home health agencies and 11 hospice operations spanning five states.

HomeWell released its 2023 franchise development and financial results

BUCKBURNETT, Texas—With 2023 now in the books, HomeWell Franchising Inc., a non-medical homecare provider HomeWell Care Services, reflects on another record-breaking year for the company marked by a series of significant milestones for the organization. HomeWell released its 2023 franchise development and financial results.

2023 Franchise Development Highlights:

Franchise system signs 3 new territory agreements with long-time owners, growing service areas in Alabama, Maryland & North Carolina

ROSEVILLE, California—Always Best Care Senior Services, a senior care franchise system in the United States, announced three franchise owners in Alabama, Maryland and North Carolina have expanded their territories, growing existing coverage areas to help even more families. 

Accompany Health offers at-home and virtual care, as well as 24/7 support

BETHESDA, Maryland—Accompany Health, a primary, behavioral and social care provider for low-income patients with complex needs, announced its launch on Jan. 30 with $56 million in Series A funding from investors including Venrock, ARCH Venture Partners, IVP, Granite Capital Management and Evidenced. The company recently began serving 8,000 patients in Detroit in partnership with a major national health plan.