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.
home health
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.
Home may be the new hospital
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.
SAGINAW, Mich. (September 30, 2021)—Elara Caring announced it is expanding its skilled home health services—including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more—with the opening of a new location in Saginaw, Michigan. As demand for home health care continues to grow, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, this service expansion will bring skilled home health services to the area.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Calendar Year (CY) 2022 participants in the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model. There is a more than two-fold increase in the number of model enrollees covered by participating MA plans in 2022 compared to 2021.
SAN MATEO, Calif. (September 30, 2021)— Studies show that homecare agencies have about eight seconds to capture someone's attention when they visit their website. Nearly 90% of visitors leave a site without taking any action. AidQuest provides a fully-staffed Live Chat solution on homecare client websites to help increase your conversions.
ANKENY, Iowa (September 28, 2021)—When individuals with complex health needs receive clinically appropriate, home-delivered meals for 13 weeks, their overall medical spend and emergency department use significantly decreased for the next six months, according to just-released results of a pilot program between Mom’s Meals and UPMC Health Plan’s Medicaid physical health managed care plan, UPMC for You.
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.
SAN DIEGO (September 24, 2021)—Cue Health Inc., a health technology company, announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 12,500,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $200.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Cue Health. All of the shares are being offered and sold by Cue Health.
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.
NEW YORK (September 23, 2021)—Kins, a patient-centered physical therapy practice, announced its public launch. Providing a hybrid model of in-person and virtual care, Kins blends personal connection, quality care and modern convenience. This approach creates an individualized recovery plan, focused on successful rehabilitation and completion of the patient’s physical therapy regimen.
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (September 23, 2021)—Pediatric Home Service (PHS), is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Nielsen as chief executive officer to lead the company’s continued growth and service delivery. Nielsen succeeds Cameo Zehnder, who remains with the company as chief administrative officer.
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.