FDA Will Regulate Only Some Mobile Health Apps

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said last week that it would only regulate some of the growing numbers of mobile health apps, focusing specifically on those that could pose greater risks to patients. The agency intends to “exercise enforcement discretion,” according to a release, meaning it will not enforce requirements under the Federal Drug […]

New York Times Column: Home Care Wage Rule Ignites Debate

Assertions that wage and overtime protections granted last week for home care workers are bad for business are unfortunate, writes NY Times columnist Nancy Folbre in an opinion column weighing in on the changes this week.  Citing opposition from several business associations and congressional republicans in response to the change in rules that allow home […]

AARP Supports Wage Protections for Home Care Workers

Following the announcement Tuesday of a new rule that would grant minimum wage and overtime protections to the nation’s two million home care workers, AARP has weighed in on the topic by expressing its support. “AARP has long advocated for increasing access to home and community-based services for older adults and persons with disabilities,” said […]

Obama OKs Wage Rule, Changes Landscape for Home Health Workers

Home care workers will now benefit from minimum wage and overtime protections following the announcement of a long-awaited rule—what some call a “victory” that has been two years in the making for the nation’s fastest-growing job force. Two years after President Obama pledged his “We Can’t Wait” program, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today […]

Forbes: Remote Monitoring Gold Mine Has Its Pitfalls

Developing remote monitoring devices presents both a golden opportunity and black hole to technology companies, writes a Forbes contributor, as businesses race to enter a field that’s rife with multiple obstacles.  Tech companies are looking to capitalize on opportunities created by health care reform, including home monitoring devices, which can detect and store a variety […]

Home Health Leaders: $100 Billion in Medicare Cuts Would be “Cataclysmic”

Home health industry leaders gathered today for a teleconference to discuss the alarming impacts of a rule that would bring Medicare payment cuts to tally nearly $100 billion in the coming years. The proposed rebasing rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) looks to cut Medicare reimbursement payments 3.5% annually from 2014 […]

Database Expansion Offers Close Look into Home Care Workforce, Wages

Industry members can now access data on home care workers on the state level through the launch of a new resource offered by the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, as well as training standards that apply state by state.  The new PHI State Data Center is a web-based database that provides state-by-state profiles of direct-care workers including […]

CMS Imposes First-Ever Home Health Moratorium

In its latest efforts to combat fraudulent billing behavior, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has imposed the first Affordable Care Act (ACA) moratorium to bar the enrollment of new home health providers in the federal program. “The goal of the temporary moratoria is to fight fraud and safeguard taxpayer dollars, while enduring […]

Home Care Workers Rally on Capitol Hill for Minimum Wage, Overtime Rights

Home care workers visited Capitol Hill in droves this week, rallying for minimum wage and overtime rights with leadership from the National Domestic Workers Alliance.  Speaking for pending regulation under the Obama Administration that would guarantee those benefits, those advocating for the labor rights told The Hill they are hopeful the rules will be finalized […]

CMS Issues Rule Outlining SNFs and Hospice Partnerships

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued a final rule that outlines the roles and responsibilities for developing a written agreement between long-term care (LTC) and hospice providers, should a LTC resident or patient elect to receive hospice care.  Under the rule, a LTC facility will be required to have only one […]