For Home Health Providers, Interoperability ‘Wins’ Have Become Crucial For Referral Relationships, Bottom Lines

For patients and providers, working through the post-acute health care system in the U.S. is a tall task. It often involves a wide range of providers and vendors. There’s lots of talk around interoperability in these circles, but that goal of seamless coordination is generally not met on the ground. Generally, interoperability refers to the […]

‘Applying Resources In Wrong Bucket’: Home Health Providers See Review Choice Demonstration As Yet Another Burden

The mission of all home health agencies is to improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes, at least in part. Some of those providers do not feel like the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) is helping in either of those areas. “With the extra burden that you have that comes with RCD, it really hasn’t changed or […]

Lawmakers Seeking To Block Home Health Medicare Cuts

The Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 was introduced Thursday. Its largest objective is to prevent further cuts to home health payments in 2024 and beyond. The bill, if passed, would also strip the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of some of its payment-rate setting power and force the The Medicare […]

The Unintended Consequences Of CMS’ Proposed HCBS Medicaid Rule

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recent proposed rule for Medicaid may cap business for certain providers, but industry experts believe the government agency is likely foreshadowing its intentions for the final rule. The new rule would force 80% of payment to go to workers in home- and community-based services (HCBS). There […]

As States Negotiate Budgets, Biden’s Executive Order Puts Home-Based Care At The Forefront

In tandem with an executive order, the White House announced a bevy of directives for government agencies on Tuesday, many of which were centered around bettering home-based care. Perhaps most notable is the timing, however. As states work through their budgets and potential Medicaid spending, the Biden administration has put home care at the forefront […]

Lawsuit Filed Against HHS Over Home Health Care Shortcomings Dismissed

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has dismissed a class action lawsuit that accused the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of failing to properly administer the Medicare home health benefit. The plaintiffs had argued the home health services required under Medicare law were wholly insufficient. Medicare law authorizes coverage […]