WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 21, 2020)—A broad COVID-19 relief legislative package finalized by House and Senate leaders includes provisions to address a Medicare payment disparity for oxygen products in rural areas stemming from the application of outdated budget neutrality provisions in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (December 21, 2020)—Medical data breaches have made headlines lately. And as more home health patients demand telehealth options, a solid IT provider is a must to not only help protect your company but also provide the bandwidth for all those virtual check-ups. But one company is tackling both the challenge of IT provision and care in the home.

PAWTUCKET, R.I (December 17, 2020) – Ageless Innovation LLC, a global company devoted to reimagining how we positively live and age together through the power of play, announced Dan Gipson, CPA and senior financial executive, is joining the team as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately.

Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2020)—The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, launched a campaign to encourage long-term care residents and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

PHOENIX, Ariz. (December 18, 2020)—Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated government restrictions and limitations on large gatherings and travel restrictions, both domestically and internationally, the Medtrade West team has made the decision to postpone its annual live, face-to-face event to July 2021. Originally slated to take place April 12-14, 2021, the new event dates are Monday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

HERZLIYA, Israel (December 18, 2020 )—Essence Group, an IoT solutions provider, announced it will showcase two advanced 5G-connected IoT devices at the upcoming CES that demonstrate the company's position at the forefront of 5G cellular connectivity, redefining security and personal safety.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 18, 2020)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the CY 2021 Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Fee Schedule. As of Jan. 1, 2021, CMS will continue to apply the CARES Act relief rates for rural and nonrural areas.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (December 17, 2020)—MatrixCare now offers fully integrated secure speech-to-text technology in its Home Health and Hospice and Palliative Care Electronic Health Records (EHR) software as a service solution, becoming the first post-acute provider to do so.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2020)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is expressing support for two measures that would improve reimbursement and respite care services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2020)—AAHomecare joined the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) in commenting on Medicaid rate analysis commissioned by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to help guide future rate-setting efforts. The joint comments take issue with the choice of states used for comparison purposes, noting significant differences in the service areas and Medicaid program operating structures versus those in Maine.