WASHINGTON—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) released a statement noting that it was, 'extremely disappointed that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) elected to finalize the “payment adequacy” provision in the Medicaid Access Final Rule (CMS 2442-F).'
WASHINGTON—A White House fact sheet highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's plans for building on the progress of investments in homecare and long-term care.
VERLAND PARK, Kansas—Netsmart, a provider of software and services for payers, providers and state Medicaid Agencies, announced the deployment of the Netsmart electronic visit verification (EVV) system for the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS). This implementation facilitates statewide aggregation of critical health care data aligned with the 21st Century Cures Act.
FLORIDA—Last week, the Florida American Health Care Association (AHCA) released its updated durable medical equipment (DME) Medicaid fee schedule based on state budget legislation that provided the first broad-scope DME reimbursement increase in 23 years, the American Association for Homecare (AAHC) said. The increase works out to 7.3%, based on funds allocated by legislators to the Florida budget.
PurposeCare, a provider of coordinated homecare and home health services in the Midwest, announced its acquisition of three Midwest homecare agencies in the Indiana and Ohio markets.
NEW YORK—Equiva Health, a digital patient engagement and health relationship management solution provider, announced a new partnership with wireless internet service provider Infiniti Mobile, as well as the launch of its new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Through this offering, Equiva and Infiniti will collaborate to serve as a catalyst in helping hospitals, nursing homes, insurers and other health care organizations advance enrollment in ACP and in helping these entities.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (October 6, 2022)—Emcara Health, PopHealthCare’s national value-based medical group that delivers advanced in-home primary care for seniors and under-resourced populations, announced today that it is collaborating with Aetna Better Health of Florida, a CVS Health company. The relationship extends Emcara Heath’s comprehensive primary care model, which includes behavioral health and social determinants of health assessments, to adult Aetna Medicaid members.
ST. LOUIS (September 30, 2022)—United States District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced a woman from St. Charles, Missouri to four years and nine months in prison for her role in a $2.5 million fraud involving Missouri’s Medicaid program and a nearly $60,000 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan.
Judge Clark also ordered Barbara Martin, 63, to repay $2,566,989 to Missouri’s Medicaid program and $58,295 to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
NEW YORK (August 31, 2022)—HHAeXchange, a provider of homecare management solutions for payers, providers and state Medicaid agencies, announced it has appointed three seasoned industry experts to its leadership team. The executives are James (JC) Stanton, chief financial officer; Todd Bransford, chief product officer; and Nicholas Fahrney, chief security and compliance officer.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 23, 2022)—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has awarded approximately $25 million in planning grants to five new states and territories to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) through Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program. With these awards, 41 states and territories across the country will now participate in MFP.
NEW YORK (August 19, 2022)—HHAeXchange, a provider of homecare management solutions for payers, providers and state Medicaid agencies, announced it has been named to Inc. magazine's list of the fastest growing private companies in America, marking the eighth consecutive year the company has been recognized. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 16, 2022)—Humana Inc. announced that it will acquire all of the assets of Inclusa, Inc., a managed care organization (MCO) in Wisconsin that provides long-term care services and supports to approximately 16,600 older adults and adults with disabilities through the state’s Family Care program. For more than 20 years, Inclusa has partnered with local health care providers and community resources to connect members with the support and services they need.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 2, 2022)—The United States’ Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has unveiled guidance on a new Medicaid health home benefit for children with medically complex conditions. This new optional benefit helps state Medicaid programs provide Medicaid-eligible children who have medically complex conditions with person-centered care management, care coordination, and patient and family support.
Technology in the homecare space is growing by leaps and bounds. New devices come out every day that promise to make aging in place easier for seniors. But, with all that technology, it’s important to keep the person first.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21, 2022)—Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is releasing the first-ever home- and community-based services (HCBS) quality measure set to promote consistent quality measurement within and across state Medicaid HCBS programs. The measure set is intended to provide insight into the quality of HCBS programs and enable states to measure and improve health outcomes for people relying on long-term services and support (LTSS) in Medicaid.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (July 14, 2022)—Last week, Alabama Medicaid announced that CPAP and BiPAP devices will be billed as a “straight purchase,” ending the rental period payment process for this equipment. The agency also announced the waiver of the compliance requirement for CPAP and BIPAP devices and updated allowable quantities for PAP supplies. The new measures go into effect Aug. 1, 2022.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2022)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and a group of likeminded organizations have written to Brian Slater, director of the Division of Home Health and Hospice in the Center for Medicare Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reiterate strong support for the authority of nurse practitioners (NPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) to order and certify home health services for Medicare beneficiaries.
WASHINTON, D.C. (June 14, 2022)—As parents scramble to find baby formula, insurance companies and Medicaid plans need to cover breastmilk storage bags and the breast pump replacement parts to support the increased need to breastfeed and pump, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) Breastfeeding Coalition said in a statement.
