The Rowan Report

Latest News

The most recent news, announcements, and regulatory updates for home health, hospice, and supportive care at home

Home Health & Hospice

Shoot the Messenger

by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.Shoot the messenger of fraud and abuse at your peril. Providers must take seriously the concerns of employees about possible fraudulent and abusive practices. Most whistleblowers take their concerns to their employers...

Interoperability

by Ben Rosen, Sr. Client Success Manager, NetsmartFor over two decades, tech companies and government agencies have been moving toward the goal of interoperability in healthcare technology. At long last, standards and protocols are in place -- and...

DOJ Rejects Plan

by Kristin Rowan, EditorDOJ rejects plans to divest assets from UnitedHealth and Amedisys to BrightSpring Health Services and the Pennant Group. Last week, we reported that Amedisys and UnitedHealth had entered an agreement to divest certain home...

New Deal to Sell HH & Hospice Agencies

by Kristin Rowan, EditorUnitedHealth, Amedisys to divest home health and hospice properties to satisfy DOJ. Almost two years ago, the health services division of UnitedHealth Group, Optum, announced plans to by Amedisys. The purchase announcement...

Update is Not an Increase

by Kristin Rowan, EditorOn April 11, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued their proposed rule for hospice rates, Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and face-t0-face encounter requirements for FY 2026. The proposed rule...

Medicaid Cuts Remain Unknown So Far

by Tim Rowan, Editor EmeritusWe don’t need to cut benefits, and it really infuriates me to hear people here talking about that because it stresses people out. This is life and death for them.     --Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) After last weeks HHS...

Mass Layoffs in HHS “Overhaul”

by Kristin Rowan, EditorHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced more than 10,000 position cuts within the department this week. The layoffs impact employees at the FDA, the CDC, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and...