Latest News
The most recent news, announcements, and regulatory updates for home health, hospice, and supportive care at home
Humana Thyme Agreement
by Kristin Rowan, EditorCancer is one of the highest leading causes of death in the United States, second only to heart disease. The challenges for cancer patients are not only physical, but emotional and financial as well. The consequences of...
Prior Authorization Requirement Removed by UnitedHealthcare
by Kristin Rowan, EditorPrior authorization requirements can be cumbersome, delaying or even preventing care in some cases. Patients who need prior authorization to get he care they need also generally have form after form to fill out or to have...
BREAKING NEWS: Kennedy Rescinds Public Participation in Rule Making
by Kristin Rowan, EditorThe Administrative Procedure Act (APA) requires that an agency public a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register; allow sufficient time for public participation via written data, views, or arguments; and then...
Agency Management System for Fractional Home Care
by Tim Rowan, Editor EmeritusThere is a growing service sector within Home Care to provide in-home care to seniors living in Independent Living and Assisted Living facilities. We described the basics of the way it works in last week's interview...
Cracking the Code
by Siva Juturi, Automation EdgeReferrals are the lifeblood of home health agencies. We're not just talking about numbers but about connecting families with critical care. Our research shows that 94% of customers will recommend a satisfactory...
Fractional Home Care
by Tim Rowan, Editor EmeritusAlong with the rest of the Private Pay sector, Jessica Nobles' Eastern Tennessee agency was struggling with caregiver recruitment and retention. Finding good people is less than half the battle. To keep them, you have...
Safeguarding Caregivers from Violence
by Kristin Rowan, EditorWe've published and talked a lot about caregiver safety, lone worker safety, and keeping your caregivers safe. Until the risk of violence to care at home workers is 0%, we will continue to provide this information and urge...
Special Focus Program Ends
by Kristin Rowan, EditorWhen the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) first appeared, the industry was told the program would help CMS identify and improve the performance of hospice providers that were struggling to meet quality standards. CMS...
Reduce Insurance Claim Denials
by Lynn Labarta, SimiTreeIs your home health or hospice agency struggling with insurance claim denials? You’re in good company. As we move into 2025, claim denials remain the #1 challenge affecting revenue cycles across the industry. But there’s...
Perfect Storm
by Hannah Vale, CMO HealthRev PartnersThe care at home industry is grappling with an unprecedented crisis as staffing shortages, technological hurdles, and complex reimbursement models converge to create significant operational challenges. Industry...
Threats to Your Business
by Tim Rowan, Editor EmeritusTwo seemingly unrelated news items jumped out at me that could be threats to your business while I was away tending to funeral preparations for my brother's wife. Before I analyze those reports, please indulge me as I...
Treatment in Place from Emergency Medical Services
by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.Treatment in PlaceProviders of services to patients in their homes are anecdotally familiar with situations in which patients need help at home, but do not qualify for home health services and have not arranged for or are...
Creditable Coverage for Medicare Part D
by Kristin Rowan, EditorThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), released a draft of the calendar year 2026 redesign program instructions. The new provisions for Medicare Part D...
Is Medicaid Down for the Count?
by Kristin Rowan, EditorOn Monday, January 27, President Trump, through the Office of Management and Budget, announced a temporary freeze on federal spending while his newly designated head of the Department of Government Efficiency ensures all...
