BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. (December 21, 2021)—Viventium, a SaaS-based human capital management solution that provides a quality user experience, flexible software and expert guidance so clients can be sure their payroll is done right, and Tapcheck, an award-winning financial wellness company that offers the employee benefits of on-demand paychecks and financial education at low or no cost to employers, announced a strategic partnership.
HomeCare News
MERCER ISLAND, Wash. (December 21, 2021)—CarepathRx, a provider of pharmacy and medication management solutions, announced a new partnership with University of Chicago Medicine to provide comprehensive home and specialty infusion services to the academic health system's growing patient population. This partnership will allow UChicago Medicine to extend its clinical reach into the home and ambulatory setting.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2021)—On November 16, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) published the report titled, “Medicare Improperly Paid Suppliers an Estimated $117 Million Over 4 Years for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Provided to Hospice Beneficiaries.”
WATERLOO, Iowa (December 16, 2021)—In a virtual ceremony, Katie Stevens was named 2021 Home Medical Equipment (HME) Woman of the Year. Stevens is chief executive officer (CEO) of Reliable Medical Supply, headquartered in Minneapolis. She has more than 15 years of experience in health care and has demonstrated expertise in business development and health care operations throughout her career.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021)—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has briefly reopened the window for health care providers to submit Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 1 reporting through Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 (11:59pm ET). Full text of the announcement was posted on the PRF reporting portal with no announcement/notice on the PRF homepage. The update reads in full:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021)—Late last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an advisory body to the U.S. Congress, verbally approved the following recommendations, with a formal vote will be taken at a January meeting. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has provided a summary of those recommendations:
GURNEE, IL. (December 15, 2021)—BrightStar Care, a nationwide franchise that provides in-home care, released key findings from an analysis conducted by Avalere Health, a leading U.S.-based health care analytics firm. The analysis evaluated BrightStar Care's client outcomes and cost benefits.
CHICAGO (December 15, 2021)—American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is pleased to announce the completion of a three-year Palliative Care Measures Project funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). AAHPM, with subrecipients National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care and RAND Corporation, was awarded a $5.5 million three-year cooperative agreement from CMS.
NEW ORLEANS, La. (December 15, 2021)—The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has revived the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care facilities, including home health agencies, in 26 states.
HOUSTON (December 14, 2021)—In the first extradition from the Republic of Cameroon to the United States, a Texas man was extradited to Houston on Friday to serve an 80-year prison sentence he received in absentia four years ago after he pleaded guilty in two separate cases to conspiracy, health care fraud, money laundering and tax offenses.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mi. (December 14, 2021)—Franchise Dictionary Magazine recognized ComForCare, a franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, as one of the top 100 Game Changers of 2021. This recognition highlights franchises that fill a niche, help the communities they are a part of, and provide opportunities for aspiring business owners.
ATLANTA (December 14, 2021)—Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc., a diversified homecare platform focused on providing care to medically complex, high-cost patient populations, announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Comfort Care, a home health and hospice company with operations in Alabama and Tennessee, for $345 million, representing $290 million of value, net of the present value of approximately $55 million in estimated net tax benefits.
DAVIE, Fla. (December 14, 2021)—This week marks the 10th anniversary of Spectra Baby USA. Over the past decade, Spectra Baby USA has grown to become one of the largest and most recognized brands of top-performing and award-winning breast pumps and accessories. Known for its Natural Nursing Technology, Spectra leads the industry with innovative technology and is a champion for breastfeeding education and support.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (December 14, 2021)—Breathe, LLC is excited to announce its new independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF) oximetry software platform that supports a reusable FDA-cleared ring oximeter.
This software enhancement means that durable medical equipment (DME) providers now have an IDTF software platform that provides them with an opportunity to utilize this type of oximeter.
FORT WORTH, Texas (December 10, 2021)—VERTESS, a health care mergers and acquisitions (M+A) advisory firm, announced that J. Blake Peart, a former hospital and ambulatory surgery center CEO, has joined the company as a managing director. Peart began his career as a clinician/registered respiratory therapist before moving into several administrative and executive positions with numerous high-profile healthcare organizations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 10, 2021)—The national average hourly rate for hospice aides (CNAs) increased 4.52% in 2021, according to the just released 2021-2022 Hospice Salary & Benefits Report, published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) in cooperation with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 10, 2021)—The U.S. Senate has approved legislation that keeps across-the-board 4% PAYGO cuts to Medicare reimbursement from taking effect in 2022. The House passed S. 610 on Dec. 8. the
UNION, N.J. (December 10, 2021) – To help active seniors who want the comfort of professional support during an emergency, LifeStation, a provider of medical alert monitoring systems and connected health solutions for aging seniors and caregivers, is unveiling Sidekick Smart—a custom-designed smartwatch for those who need the key benefits of a wearable medical alert system, but who are also looking for a device that is discreet, sleek, stylish and fits within an active lifestyle.
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (December 10, 2021)—Complia Health, a home health and hospice technology solutions provider, announced that All Pointe Care, a home health and homecare provider, has chosen the company’s ContinuLink solution and Clinical Edge EVV mobile app to support caregivers in the field. The partnership was formalized following All Pointe’s acquisition of an agency into its care delivery approach.
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (December 10, 2021)—Caresmartz has rolled out a major update that allows homecare businesses to quickly gather insights and represent them into a format of choice for growth and success.
CareSmartz360, a homecare software solution, opened up a whole new realm of custom reporting, bringing the company one step closer to providing homecare providers with a truly comprehensive solution for everything homecare.