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.  

Rule for 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update calls for only half of full rate adjustment to come due next year, but advocates say long-term impact still serious. Rule also changes DME resupply requirements.

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update final rule on Nov. 1, landing on more moderate cuts than initially proposed but still enacting rate reductions beginning in 2025 that would present “serious concerns for the home health community,” according to the National Association for Homecare and Hospice.

Clients can streamline operations to improve outcomes in pharmacy benefit management services

DALLAS—Axxess and OnePoint Patient Care announced the integration of Axxess Hospice and OnePoint Patient Care's Pharmacy Benefit Management platform. Axxess said the integration will help alleviate administrative burdens, increase nurse satisfaction, improve retention rates and provide better patient outcomes. 

The five transactions were in various health care verticals

FORT WORTH, Texas—VERTESS, a health care mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory firm, announced the closing of five major health care transactions in Quarter 3 (Q3) 2023 with a combined total transaction value of $75 million. The five transactions were in various health care verticals. The headwinds faced earlier in the year due to global and domestic economic pressures are clearing and signs for a profitable Q4 and 2024 are strong, VERTESS said.

Growth expansion continues across the midwest & western regions

ATLANTA—TZMO USA announced that Christian DePhilippis and Sam Keller have joined their growing Seni sales team. DePhilippis has experience promoting advanced wound care products to hospitals, long-term care communities, home health agencies, hospice agencies and physician offices. DePhilippis will oversee the Southern California market.

As Director of Operations, Haringa will oversee marketing efforts, client & consultant coordination & admin support

NORTH HAVEN, Connecticut—Holly Haringa has joined Corcoran Consulting Group LLC as director of operations and consultant. She oversees the group’s marketing efforts, client and consultant coordination and administrative support functions. Additionally, Haringa will collaborate with Corcoran team members and support the goals of its homecare agency clients.
 

Nonprofit BAYADA CEO takes helm of leading home health advocacy organization, calls for policies to protect patient access to home-based care

MOORESTOWN, New Jersey—David Baiada, CEO of BAYADA Home Health Care, has been elected to lead the board of directors of The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH). Baiada is assuming this role after serving as treasurer. BAYADA is a founding member of the partnership and an advocate for home health and home care patient populations.

New CFO brings over 15 years of experience in strategic finance, general management and public accounting to the premier franchisor of companies serving people along the continuum of care

TROY, Michigan—Best Life Brands, LLC (“Best Life Brands”), a franchised organization that includes Blue Moon Estate Sales, CarePatrol, ComForCare, At Your Side Home Care and Boost Home Healthcare, announces the appointment of Kevin Vesely as its new chief financial officer. With an impressive track record of financial leadership and strategic accomplishments, Vesely brings a wealth of experience to Best Life Brands.
 

National home care provider to open a location in Alameda

CINCINNATI, Ohio—FirstLight Home Care, a provider of homecare services, will open a new location in Alameda, California later this year. The office, which is set to open in December, will be owned and operated by Nicole Freeman.

Over the past 15 years, Freeman has contributed to the marketing efforts of several Fortune 500 companies. She is a marketing professional who holds a bachelor of arts degree from UC Berkeley, as well as an MBA from Georgetown University.

Effort launched in U.S. Senate designed to support state programs funding home- and community-based long-term care.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, has introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act to provide support to state programs that fund home- and community-based long-term care services.

Isaacson will focus on advocating for and elevating the DMEPOS industry

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM & Associates announced Mike "Ike" Isaacson has taken a new role as senior vice president of government relations. In this new role, he will focus on advocating for and elevating the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) industry.

Phil Scalo of New Jersey was elected as AHCA Chair, and Mark Maxfield of Idaho was elected as NCAL chair.

DENVER, Colorado – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) elected AHCA’s Board of Governors and NCAL’s Board of Directors for the 2023/2024 term. Phil Scalo of New Jersey was elected as AHCA Chair, and Mark Maxfield of Idaho was elected as NCAL chair.
 

ACU-Serve said this partnership will enable it to expand its suite of comprehensive solutions, accelerate technology innovation and continue its successful acquisition strategy

PHILADELPHIAACU-Serve Corp. (ACU-Serve or the company), a provider of end-to-end revenue cycle management, announced that it has received a majority growth investment from Lovell Minnick Partners LLC (LMP), a private equity firm focused on investments in financial services, business services and financial technology companies.

WCHC will serve as Avid's flagship operation in the North Carolina market

DALLAS—Havencrest Capital Management (Havencrest), a Dallas-based health care private equity firm, announced the second acquisition under its Avid Health at Home (Avid) platform: Well Care Home Care (WCHC), the home care division of North Carolina-based Well Care Health.