Latest News
The most recent news, announcements, and regulatory updates for home health, hospice, and supportive care at 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...
Home Care Nurses’ Proud History
by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.,Home Care Nurses, it's National Nurses Week, May 6 - May 12, 2025, so we are celebrating the profession of nursing!Home care nurses have an especially proud history. Perhaps the definitive book on home care nursing is No...
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...
Trouble in MA Paradise?
by Kristin Rowan, EditorIt's no secret within the care at home community that Medicare Advantage is not without its problems. Coverage and care are good when the beneficiary is relatively healthy. When it's really needed, MA plans deny coverage....
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...
Meaningful AI
by Scott Green, Care Dimensions at NetsmartMeaningful AI is more than plugging your questions into ChatGPT. It goes beyond Artificial Intelligence into Augmented Intelligence. After a long day of caring for patients, a home health nurse pulls into...
Vision for CMS
by Kristin Rowan, EditorLast week, Dr. Mehmet Oz issued a statement on his vision for the future of CMS. Dr. Mehmet Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon and former host of his own TV show. Under the Department of Health and Human Services, CMS has a $1.7...
Industry Update
by Kristin Rowan, EditorAt last week's New England Home Care & Hospice Conference, Dr. Steve Landers, President of The National Alliance for Care at Home (The Alliance) gave the keynote address and offered some industry insights and updates.Ken...
That’s a No-No
by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq."No-No" may seem like something you would say to a toddler, but there is a list of things agency owners do that they should not do. Many of these are things providers may not often consider. This article focuses on the...
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...
CDPAP Overhaul Under Scrutiny
by Kristin Rowan, EditorNew York State Department of Health issued a comprehensive plan to overhaul the state's Medicaid program. The state's program, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), allows patients to hire the caregiver of...
Relief for Providers
by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.A judge in the Northern District of Texas recently decided that even the minimum penalties mandated under the False Claims Act (FCA) violate the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause [see U.S. ex rel. Taylor v....
HIS to HOPE
by Vicki Goodman, CRO at Curantis Solutions As a hospice nurse, I am excited to share pivotal news that will significantly impact our field starting October 1st. In case you have been living under a rock, we are transitioning from the Hospice Item...
Dr. Oz Nomination Advances to Full Senate
by Tim Rowan, Editor Emeritus"Given your close ties to the industry that you would regulate, if you are confirmed, the public would have reason to question your impartiality and commitment to serving the public’s interest." -- Senator Elizabeth...
