From the latest on the Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics Orthotics and Supplies Competitive Bidding changes, to the Patient-Driven Groupings Model, to legislation affecting how providers do business, HomeCare is here to keep you informed. Find news and articles from our experts to guide you as you navigate the policies that affect your business.
WASHINGTON—New legislation (S 2066) introduced in the House and Senate would create a pilot program for testing the use of a predictive risk-scoring algorithm to provide oversight of payments for durable medical equipment (DME) and clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under the Medicare program.
WASHINGTON—A newly introduced bill seeks to modernize Medicaid's approach to private duty nursing in order to improve the quality and accessibility of skilled nursing care. The Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act of 2025 (S 1920) was introduced by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
WASHINGTON—In its recently released budget documents, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has indicated that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is likely to start the next round of competitive bidding.
FRISCO, Texas—Addus HomeCare Corporation, a provider of homecare services, praised recent state legislature budget approvals for in-home care rate increases in the States of
WASHINGTON—Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act (S 1797), a bipartisan bill that would make mental health services provided by clinical social workers more available to Medicare beneficiaries.
WASHINGTON—House Republicans passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” on Thursday morning after an overnight session with a vote of 215 votes to 214. The sweeping bill is being criticized by homecare industry organizations, with some saying it could harm millions of older adults who rely on at-home care.
NEW JERSEY—Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced the Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Working Families Act to safeguard Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs and other critical federal benefits and services.
Sherrill said she introduced the bill in response to federal programs and jobs being cut by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
WASHINGTON—ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, voiced its strong support for the Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act. This legislation would establish a benefit category for prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) under Medicare and Medicaid.
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas—Arkansas’s Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed into law Act 857, which amends the coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the Arkansas Medicaid program. This industry legislation protects CGM access by:
NEW YORK—The New York City Council voted to establish a sleep apnea screening pilot program. The program will seek to expand access to preventive medical care and improve health outcomes by providing screenings to New Yorkers at no cost, prioritizing individuals without insurance.
WASHINGTON—The Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act has been reintroduced by a bipartisan coalition of legislators including Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), John Joyce (PA-13), Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). The bill would enable occupational therapy (OT) to be ordered as a stand-alone home health service for Medicare beneficiaries.
WASHINGTON—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced that legislation to bolster rates for a large segment of home medical equipment (HME) suppliers has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON—Representatives John Joyce (R-PA) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced legislation to improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries. HR 1703 would create two new HCPCS codes for complex rehab technology (CRT) manual wheelchairs and allow for an upgrade within a code.
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia & WASHINGTON—The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) announced its support of the reintroduction of the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation, HR 1720, would extend telehealth flexibilities for hospice face-to-face (F2F) recertification.
WASHINGTON—Senator Rick Scott, chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Tina Smith announced the reintroduction of the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act to address senior loneliness. Across the country, a growing number of senior citizens are suffering from mental and physical health issues, largely driven by an epidemic of loneliness.
WASHINGTON—As maneuvering in Congress to pass a budget reconciliation act officially kicks off, Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit and mission-driven providers of aging services, called on House and Senate members to ensure the needs of older adults and the people who serve them are met.
Her statement, released Wednesday, Feb. 12, is below:
DENVER—The Colorado House of Democrats recently passed legislation that aims to streamline access to durable medical equipment (DME) and create guidelines for the legalization of medical psilocybin, the Colorado House of Democrats reported on their website.
WASHINGTON—Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have introduced legislation that aims to improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent newsletter to members.
WASHINGTON—On Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, President Joe Biden signed into law HR 670, also known as the Think Differently Database Act, which requires the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a website to provide information on resources available to individuals with a disability and their caregivers and families.
WASHINGTON—The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), a telehealth organization, and ATA Action, the company’s affiliated trade organization, have urged Congress to extend access to necessary virtual care services in a year-end legislative package. With many telehealth flexibilities set to expire at the end of the Congressional year, the company aims to gain the support of Congress members.
WASHINGTON—The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, a patient and disability advocacy group, has sent a letter to Congress urging Congressional leadership to include the 75-25 blended relief rate in its year-end legislative package, the American Associaton for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent e-newsletter to members.
