Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Want to Merge
In Massachusetts, the two largest insurers, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, have announced plans to merge. Modern Healthcare provides an excellent breakdown of what this could mean for …
Insights and News
Catastrophic Shortage of Home Care Workers in Maine
A new article from the Washington Post highlights a problem that providers have struggled with for years – finding good employees and preventing turnover. Workers in entry-level home health and …
New Primary Care First Webinar is Available from CMS
This week, CMS hosted a webinar that provided more details about Primary Care First. This program is designed to strengthen partnerships between primary care providers and palliative care providers to …
CMS Proposes Eliminating RAPs for Home Health Agencies
Today CMS issued a proposed rule that has broad-reaching effects across the home health care industry. CMS is proposing to address potential Medicare fraud by phasing out pre-payments for home health …
Important Public Reporting Dates for Hospice Providers
CMS has published a list of important dates for hospice providers. This list covers the Hospice Compare refresh schedule, preview periods, freeze dates, as well as data correction deadlines. Key …
Lyft Becomes a Medicaid Provider
Lyft is now an enrolled Medicaid provider in Arizona. The company is taking advantage of new Arizona regulations for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Ride-hailing companies may drive Medicaid members who do not …
CMS Reveals New Information about the Upcoming Hospice Evaluation and Assessment Reporting Tool (HEART)
You may have forgotten about the upcoming Hospice Evaluation tool known as HEART. You’re not alone – HEART has been in the pipeline for years, with very few updates along the …
The PACE Program Receives its First Update Since 2006
CMS finalized a rule to update and modernize the PACE program. This rule is the first major proposed update to the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) since …
Comment Period for CMS’ Proposed 2020 Hospice Payment Rates Ends Soon
Last month, CMS released a new proposed rule, CMS-1714-P, which contained bad news for most hospice providers. If finalized as written, this rule would cut reimbursement for routine home care …
CMS Releases New Home Health Change of Care (HHCCN) Form
CMS has released an updated Home Health Change of Care (HHCCN) Form. Effective July 1, 2019, all Home Health Agencies will be required to use the renewed form with the …