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.