HomeCare Editors’ Top 5: Week of August 10

CMS Makes Major Hospice Payment Change

A major change in the way hospice providers are reimbursed will indeed go into effect, but not as quickly as originally proposed. (Tim Mullaney/Home Health Care News)

Half of U.S. Hospitals Fail Readmission Standards

Once again, the majority of the nation’s hospitals are being penalized by Medicare for having patients frequently return within a month of discharge—this time losing a combined $420 million, government records show. (Jordan Rau/Kaiser Health News)

$1.6 Billion Acquisition Hinges on Coordination

If home health providers needed any more proof that acute and post-acute providers are becoming more aligned, they received it in the form a blockbuster acquisition announced Tuesday. (Tim Mullaney/Home Health Care News)

Telephone Therapy Helps Seniors in Rural Areas

Therapy provided over the phone lowered symptoms of anxiety and depression among older adults in rural areas with a lack of mental health services, a new study shows. (Lisa Gillespie/Kaiser Health News)

Tax Problems Could Jeopardize Health Aid

About 1.8 million households that got financial help for health insurance under President Barack Obama’s law now have issues with their tax returns that could jeopardize their subsidies next year. (The Associated Press/The New York Times)