HomeCare Editors’ Top 5: Week of February 22

Results in Key Cases Could Change With Scalia’s Death
The Supreme Court abhors even numbers. But that’s just what the court will have to deal with, perhaps for many months, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Eight justices will decide what to do, creating the prospect of 4-4 ties. (Associated Press)

Florida Approves Humana Sala to Aetna, No Divestiture of Enrollees
More than one million Floridians covered by Humana and CarePlus health plans will not have to change insurance after state regulators on Monday gave conditional approval to a plan by rival Aetna to purchase the companies. (Daniel Chang/Miami Herald)

Insurers and Medicare Agree on Measures Tracking Doctors’ Quality
The federal government and the insurance industry released on Tuesday an initial set of measures of physician performance that they hope will reduce the glut of conflicting metrics doctors now must report. (Jordan Rau/Kaiser Health News)

CMS Finalizes Shorter Risk Period for Overpayments
Home health providers may be breathing a sigh of relief after a final rule reduced the number of years providers are required to repay Medicare overpayments. (Amy Baxter/Home Health Care News)

Family Caregivers May Be Sacrificing Their Own Health to Loved Ones
Many family caregivers in the U.S. provide unpaid medical aid and other services to loved ones at the expense of their own financial, physical and mental health, a study suggests. (Lisa Rapaport/Reuters)