WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 22, 2019)—Over the past two and a half years, AAHomecare’s payer relations efforts have helped stop or limit proposed Medicaid reimbursement cuts in dozens of states, limited the spread of sole-source and narrow-network contract arrangements, and successfully lobbied TRICARE to provide retroactive relief for HME reimbursements based on the 2016 CURES bill.
Medicare Advantage
Technology eases communication across care settings
BURLINGAME, Calif. (December 5, 2018)—CareLinx, an online home caregiver network, announced the national launch of Medicare At Home. The product enables Medicare Advantage plans to safely and efficiently enhance their supplemental benefits with non-skilled homecare.
(December 4, 2018)—On October 26, 2018, CMS issued Contract Year (CY) 2020 Medicare Advantage and Part D Flexibility Proposed Rule CMS-4185-P. The rule updates Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D by promoting flexibility and innovation so that MA and Part D sponsors are empowered with the tools to improve quality of care and provide more choices.
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. (November 8, 2018)—Two of Washington state’s largest homecare agencies, Seattle-based Family Resource Home Care and Spokane-based Family Home Care, announced completion of a merger that will make the combined entity one of the largest homecare providers in the nation. The new combined entity will retain the Family Resource Home Care name.
WASHINGTON, D.C (September 26, 2018)—On September 13, 2018, Representatives Sam Johnson (R-Texas) and John Larson (D-Connecticut) introduced the Homecare for Seniors Act (HR 6813) in the House of Representatives. The act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow seniors to use funds from health savings accounts for qualified homecare services.
Medicare Advantage brings new opportunities
OMAHA, Neb. (August 2, 2018)—The non-skilled in-home care services benefit to be allowed under Medicare Advantage in 2019 is bringing new partners together with Right at Home and hospice giant Kindred at Home announcing a formalized preferred partnership.
Opportunities for improvement exist
SAN FRANCISCO (May 30, 2018)—ClearCare, a technology platform for homecare agencies, announced the nationwide availability of a new technology to seamlessly connect these agencies with insurance companies and hospitals.
Each week our editors select the top 5 headlines in our industry from media outlets across the web.
The continuum of care expands for company into key markets in Southern states.
By Liz Carey
(May 2, 2018)—Amedisys enlarged its personal care footprint with its subsidiary Associated Home Care’s close of the acquisition of East Tennessee Personal Care Services based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
2019 drug plans and policies have been finalized.
Via CMS, WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2018)—Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized polices for Medicare health and drug plans for 2019 that will save Medicare beneficiaries money on prescription drugs while offering additional plan choices.
Easing the patient’s transition from hospital to home is a top priority
Salvaging MACRA Implementation Through Medicare Advantage
Recently, Peter S. Hussey and colleagues considered the effects of MACRA on Medicare spending and use and how the effects might differ under various scenarios. (John O’Shea/Health Affairs Blog)
Can Ailing Illinois Afford In-Home Care for Seniors?
Illinois’ Community Care Program is being stretched to the limit with an influx of aging baby boomers and an already deep budget crisis. (Alejandra Cancino/Crain’s Chicago Business)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 28, 2016)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that 2017 Medicare Advantage premiums will remain stable and more enrollees will have access to higher quality plans while, for the seventh straight year, enrollment is projected to increase to a new all-time high.
NAHC: Pre-Claim Review Makes No Sense, Goes Too Far
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) recently submitted harsh comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) over the pre-claim pilot program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (Amy Baxter/Home Health Care News)
New York, N.Y. (May 19, 2016)—The post-acute care sector must evolve to survive an onslaught of disruption coming in the next ten years, according to a new analysis by Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2016)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health released data detailing the quality of care received by people with Medicare Advantage by racial or ethnic group.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 5, 2016)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Program changes for 2017 that seek to provide stable payments to plans, and make improvements to the program for plans that provide high quality care to the most vulnerable enrollees.
CMS Tightens Screws on Home Health Fraud
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making strides to crack down on home health fraud through data use and more site visits, the agency announced Monday. (Kourtney Liepelt/Home Health Care News)