home health

WASHINGTON, D.C (October 15, 2021)—As the population ages and more people live longer with greater disability and disease, policymakers are increasingly motivated to build out the palliative care infrastructure so that more patients and families can access these vital services that address the stress and symptoms of serious illness.

HARTFORD, Conn. (October 15, 2021)—CareCentrix, Inc.—an independent home-centered platform that coordinates care to the home for health plans, patients,and providers—announced that Walgreens Boots Alliance has made a majority investment in the company.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (October 15, 2021)—Biofourmis, a Boston-based provider of digital therapeutics and virtual care that powers personalized predictive care, announced a partnership with Integra Community Care Network, Care New England’s accountable care organization (ACO). Integra, one of the largest ACOs in New England, will deliver hospital-at-home care and remote patient monitoring through Biofourmis’ end-to-end solution.  
 

MINNEAPOLIS (October 13, 2021)—Lifespark, formerly Lifesprk, a provider of whole person services for seniors, has raised $20 million in a B-round to lead the nation in delivering population well-being. This round is being led by Virgo-managed fund to continue funding advancements in Lifespark's operating system and proprietary technology platform and UCare, the largest Medicare Advantage provider in Minnesota, to serve Minnesota seniors holistically with a multiproduct strategy.

CHICAGO (October 13, 2021)—Help at Home, a provider of in-home, person-centered care for seniors, announced the closing of two acquisitions in late September 2021: Pennsylvania-based Meridius Health and Georgia-based Altamaha HomeCare's nonskilled business. Meridius Health and Altamaha add a combined 300 passionate and caring field employees/caregivers serving more than 320 clients in need of homecare in the Lancaster and Southeast Georgia areas.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 12, 2021)—Hospice providers have been anxiously awaiting additional information on two new Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) measures:

•    Hospice Visits in Last Days of Life (HVLDL)
•    Hospice Care Index (HCI)

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (October 12, 2021)—Addus HomeCare, a provider of comprehensive homecare and support services, has joined the National Minority Health Association (NMHA) in support of the Flex for Checks program that aims to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among those living in medically underserved communities.

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 8, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the annual update of the Post-Acute Care and Hospice Provider Public Use File (PAC PUF) with data for 2019. The PAC PUF now has data available for years 2013-2019.

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. (October 5, 2021)—An audit of eight home health agencies (HHAs) by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that most had infection control policies and procedures that met the standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and followed CMS COVID-19 guidance to safeguard Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report issued last week.

SAN FRANCISCO (October 5, 2021)—Honor Technology, Inc., a senior care network and technology platform, which recently acquired global homecare provider Home Instead, announced it has raised $70 million in Series E funding and $300 million in debt financing. The round brings Honor's total equity funding to date to $325 million and values the company at over $1.25 billion.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (October 5, 2021)—Boost Home Healthcare announced William “Bill” Porrok RN, BS, MHA as brand president. Bringing over 25 years of home health industry experience to the position, Porrok oversees Boost Home Healthcare operations and procedures as the new home health brand looks to expand across the country.
 

PUTNAM VALLEY, N.Y. (October 4, 2021)—Always An Angel Homecare, a faith-based senior homecare franchise providing nonmedical comprehensive home health care solutions, recently developed and introduced a home-based activity program called “A MOMENT IN TIME: LET’S LEARN, LAUGH, PLAY and PRAY!” to engage participants in fun and meaningful activities.

OAKDALE, Minn. (October 1, 2021)—Cashé Software, a provider of agency management software, announced that Samantha Frederick, a leader in home- and community-based services (HCBS), has joined the company as the product owner for Pavillio, their flagship product.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 1, 2021)—Husch Blackwell’s Hospice & Palliative Care team successfully represented hospices who were facing a 2% payment reduction penalty for Fiscal Year 2022 based on alleged noncompliance with Hospice Quality Program Reporting Program (HQRP) requirements.