WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2022)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has joined a large group of likeminded organizations in urging leaders in both houses of Congress and both parties to ensure that Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) remain part of any package that moves forward.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 18, 2021)—The Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI) and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) teamed up once again for the release of the 2021 AHHQI Home Health Chartbook.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 9, 2021)—The average hourly rate for registered nurses (RNs) in home health agencies increased 2.98% in 2021, according to the 2021-2022 Home Care Salary & Benefits Report, just released by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS). The report is published in cooperation with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 5, 2021)—Home health agencies dodged a bullet when it came to the federal governemnt’s new rule on home health care, said National Association for HomeCare and Hospice (NAHC) President Bill Dombi.
That’s because the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did not end up requiring spending cuts to achieve budget neutrality in the final Home Health Rule it issued this week—despite suggesting it would in the draft.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 2, 2021)—At a recent virtual event, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) leaders, including Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Director Liz Fowler, unveiled the agency’s refreshed strategic vision for developing, implementing, and evaluating new care delivery and payment model demonstrations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 29, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has submitted a proposal to conduct a mode experiment to test the effects of a web-based mode on response rates and scores, to the Office of Management and Budget.
The CMS proposal, an information collection request titled The Home Health Care CAHPS Survey (HHCAHPS) Mode Experiment, would be an addition to the three currently approved modes – mail, telephone and mail combined.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 22, 2021)—The RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregiving Advisory Council recently delivered to Congress key recommendations to support the millions of unpaid family caregivers that support older adults and people with disabilities.
Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2021)—The Choose Home Care Act of 2021 has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and James Comer (R-Kentucky), the bipartisan legislation is designed to increase access to home health care following hospitalization for eligible Medicare beneficiaries by offering a safe, high-quality post-acute option for nursing home level services in the home.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 7, 2021)—Registration is now open for the National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) Fall Forum, a live online event featuring 30 hours of essential education for homecare and hospice professionals.
Although the 2021 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo was canceled, the NAHC Fall Forum, Nov. 2-10, will offer what you have come to expect from NAHC: the best education in homecare and hospice, taught by the experts you know and trust.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2021)—The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met to discuss the development of a mandated report assessing the impact of the shift to the Patient Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) payment model for Medicare home health, and in particular the 30-day episode and the removal of therapy utilization in payment determinations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. & SCHAUMBURG, Ill (September 24, 2021)—CellTrak, a provider of a mobile solution empowering better outcomes for home and community care and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), announced that they continue their joint scholarship program for homecare aides that debuted in 2020.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 23, 2021)—On Sept. 9, the Biden administration announced that staff at Medicare and Medicaid-certified “facilities”—including home health agencies and likely home medical equipment providers—will be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine. Homecare providers should work now to get health care staff vaccinated to make sure they are in compliance when the rule takes effect, the government said.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 21, 2021)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has joined a group of like-minded organizations to tell Congress to support existing bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to intravenous (IV) medications in the comfort of their own homes.
Washington, D.C. (September 7, 2021)—It is with regret that the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) must announce the cancellation of the 2021 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo, originally scheduled for Oct. 3-5, 2021, in New Orleans.
This decision was not made lightly, and we are enormously grateful for the support so many people showed for the homecare and hospice community by registering to join their fellow industry leaders at the conference.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 31, 2021)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the latest home health proposed rule 86 Fed. Reg. 35874. The rule proposed changes to the Patient Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) case mix and reimbursement based on 2020 care data.
WASHINGTON, D.C. & OWINGS MILLS, Md. (August 24, 2021)—Increasing the vaccination rates among home health workers is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) in consultation with industry leaders, estimate a vaccination range of 40% to 90% depending on the company and the discipline of the caregiver.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 3, 2021)—Late on July 29, U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska)—co-chairs and co-founders of the Senate Comprehensive Care Caucus—announced the introduction of the bipartisan Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act (S. 2565). Sens. Rosen, Barrasso and Baldwin also announced the introduction of their bipartisan Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2021 (S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2021)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) today commended the introduction of the Choose Home Care Act of 2021. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Sens.
Updated July 27 at 1:34 p.m. with new information.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 27, 2021)—As new variants of COVID-19 are on the rise and vaccination rates are stalling around the country, LeadingAge joined leading health care organizations calling for requiring vaccines for all staff in long-term care and other health care settings.
WASHIGNTON, D.C. (July 23, 2021)—A bipartisan group of Senators led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) have introduced the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act (S. 2344), a bill to provide $1 billion in grants to states and other eligible entities to support innovative projects and programs focused on recruitment, retention and training for direct care workers, as well as family caregivers.
WASHINGTON, D.C (July 16, 2021)—The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and a group of like-minded organizations representing America's health providers have written a letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), asking them to:
• oppose an extension of mandatory Medicare sequestration as a pay-for in any infrastructure package; and