Payment rates and wage index were included in the final rule.

—Via CMS, WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 1, 2017)—On August 1, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule (CMS-1675-F) that updates fiscal year (FY) 2018 Medicare payment rates and the wage index for hospices serving Medicare beneficiaries, and also updates the hospice quality reporting requirements.

Waterbury, Conn. (August 1, 2017)—Health Complex Medical, one of the leading respiratory care service providers in Connecticut, has launched a new brand position aimed at showcasing its expanded solutions for sleep therapy.

Collaborative sessions with its employees, discussions with physicians and patients and analysis of competitive positioning helped crystalize the branding—which includes a new logo, tagline, collateral system and outreach materials.

The Home Centered Care Institute program hopes to train primary care providers to engage medically complex patients in the home.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (August 1, 2017)—The Home Centered Care Institute (HCCI) is announcing the launch of the HCCI Centers of Excellence (COEs) for Home-Based Primary Care, a first-of-its-kind program designed to increase the prevalence of high-quality home-based primary care across the United States. The HCCI COE program features the only comprehensive home-based primary care (HBPC) curriculum in the U.S., offered at eight partner institutions.

LENEXA, Kan. (July 27, 2017)—Mediware Information Systems Inc. announced that Bill Miller will join as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Miller most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of OptumInsight at Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group that is the largest health services company in the world.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (July 27, 2017)—The Board of Directors of J M Smith Corporation has confirmed Philip J. Ryan III as Chief Financial Officer and appointed Kevin Welch to the role of Chief Technology Officer. Ryan will also assume the role of Treasurer following the retirement of James C. Wilson Jr. on October 1, 2017. Wilson has been employed with the company since 1987, serving first as controller before being elected Treasurer and then being named CFO.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 27, 2017)—On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017 (HR 3178). The bill accelerates the implementation of Medicare payment for home infusion services to January 2019, two years earlier than the start date established in last year’s CURES bill. AAHomecare was one of 168 organizations and companies who asked Congressional leadership to move the implementation date forward earlier this year.

Diane White cares for a pediatric patient in Rockford, Illinois.

COLUMBIA, Md. (July 26, 2017)—Maxim Healthcare Services, an established provider of home health care, health care staffing, behavioral health care, and population health and wellness services, announced today that Diane White, RN, a nurse in its Rockford, Illinois, office is this year’s National Caregiver of the Year award winner. White was honored by her colleagues and the Maxim leadership team during a special caregiver appreciation ceremony on July 25.

The decree affected operations at the Corporate and Taylor Street Facility in Elyria, Ohio

ELYRIA, Ohio (July 25, 2017)—Invacare Corporation has received notice from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the company has successfully satisfied the Agency’s requirements under the consent decree to resume full operations at its Corporate and Taylor Street manufacturing facility in Elyria, Ohio.

Pediatric Home Service surveyed families to determine the results across 20 categories.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (July 25, 2017)—If you’ve ever cared for a child with special needs, there is a list of unique considerations regarding wheelchair, medical equipment accessibility, safety concerns and more that is factored into travel outside your home. A new annual resource is making it easier for families of children with special needs to find the best spots in Minnesota that are set up to accommodate their needs.

The TDX SP2 passes hurdle for sale in the U.S.

ELYRIA, Ohio (July 25, 2017)—Invacare Corporation is pleased to announce that the company received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Invacare TDX SP2 Power Wheelchair with LiNX Technology.

“This exciting milestone puts Invacare one step closer to introducing this power wheelchair in the complex rehab category,” said Brian LaDuke, VP of Rehab Marketing at Invacare.