TROY, Michigan—Best Life Brands LLC, a franchised organization with a portfolio of senior care brands, announced it has experienced unprecedented growth and expansion in its third quarter (Q3) of 2024. The company said it has seen standout achievements in monthly, quarterly and yearly franchise awards and is on track to set an all-time high by January 2025.
SUNNYVALE, California & ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—HealthTap, a virtual health care provider, announced its launch into the durable medical equipment (DME) market with its first partner, Aeroflow Health, a provider of home medical equipment and supplies. By joining the DME market, HealthTap aims to help more patients access primary care and DME services.
WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice (DOJ), together with the Attorneys General of Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and New York, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit to block UnitedHealth Group Incorporated from completing its proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of rival home health and hospice services provider Amedisys Inc, saying it would eliminate competition between the two companies.
WASHINGTON—The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed Medicare Advantage (MA) companies’ use of health risk assessments (HRAs), which often increase payments to MA plans by billions of dollars. As a result of the review, OIG offered suggestions to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
DALLAS—Medtrade, a home medical equipment (HME) trade event in North America, announced that its “SmartSaver” registration rates for the Medtrade 2025 Expo and Conference are now in effect. The company said that time is limited for these registration rates, as they will only be in effect through Saturday, Nov. 16. The registration category aims to help those who wish to attend the trade show.
The SmartSaver rates offer:
NEWARK, New Jersey—United States Attorney Vikas Khanna announced that two Florida men, a father and son duo, were arraigned on charges relating to their roles in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) and prescription drug health care fraud and kickback scheme.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Patrick Newbold has been appointed chief information officer (CIO), as reported by Federal News Network. After the addition of Newbold, the U.S.
MOUNT LAUREL, New Jersey—Care Options for Kids (COFK), a pediatric specialists provider, announced that Elias Lee has been named VP of talent acquisition. Lee brings health care, homecare, senior living and talent acquisition experience to the new role, in which he aims to expand upon the company’s leadership efforts.
INDIANAPOLIS—Elevance Health, a health benefits organization and health insurance provider, announced the appointment of Nathan Rich as VP of investor relations. In this role, Rich aims to manage the company’s investor relations efforts, support the company’s growth initiatives and strengthen its relationships within the investment community. Additionally, Rich will serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team.
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia—The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), a home infusion therapy community and manufacturer, reported that a collective of more than 35 patient and stakeholder groups are calling on Congress to address Medicare beneficiary access to home infusion services.
ATLANTA—The Home Depot Foundation, a foundation aiming to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans and tradespeople, is investing $10 million to help veterans age in their current residences and avoid homelessness, in honor of Veteran’s Day and its annual Operation Surprise initiative.
FRESNO, California—Sunrise Medical, a mobility product manufacturer and designer, introduced the “Quickie QS5 X,” its new lightweight folding wheelchair. The chair’s features seek to provide transportation and stability benefits for users.
NEW YORK—HHAeXchange, a homecare management solutions company, and state Medicaid programs, have announced this year’s “Caregiving Champions” award winners, in celebration of National Homecare and Hospice Month.
TAMPA, Florida—Internal Healthcare Group, a senior referral service, announced its virtual platform launch, which aims to connect seniors and families with care providers. Internal Healthcare Group intends to address the gap in personalized care options for seniors by providing a digital platform aimed at enabling families to find and connect with care providers.
DUBLIN, Ohio—Cardinal Health, a distributor of pharmaceuticals and specialty products, announced it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two companies, GI Alliance (GIA) and Advanced Diabetes Supply Group (ADSG), in an effort to accelerate its growth, patient care efforts and its at-home solutions company.
BALTIMORE, Maryland—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 premiums, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, as well as its 2025 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.
CMS’ 2025 updates to Medicare Parts A, B and D amounts are listed below.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana—Amedisys Inc., a health care at home company aiming to deliver home health, hospice and acuity care services, reported its financial results for its third quarter of 2024, which include the three-month and nine-month periods that ended Sept. 30. Additionally, the company said due to its pending merger with UnitedHealth Group Inc., it will not conduct a quarterly earnings call to discuss the third quarter results.
INDIANAPOLIS—The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has alleged that home health care company owner Hahn March violated federal wage laws and withheld $86,000 in wages by using improper pay practices at her two Indianapolis, Indiana, companies: Signal Health Group Inc. and SHG Employee Leasing Company. In 2018, federal investigators cited March for not paying overtime wages to employees at her then-owned company, Aging and Disabled Home Healthcare.
PLANO, Texas—Heart to Heart Hospice, a hospice care service provider, will recognize National Hospice Week from Monday, Nov. 11 through Friday, Nov. 15, a week that was designated by the National Alliance for Care at Home as a time to focus on the value of end-of-life care and the caregivers who serve patients and their families.
BOSTON—A new study led by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed Medicare Advantage (MA) plans receive billions of federal dollars for enrolling veterans who receive no Medicare services.
