Increased funding would transform direct-care workforce, PHI policy head asserts
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 09, 2021
The Biden administration could transform the direct care workforce with stepped-up funding, according to PHI VP of Policy Robert Espinoza in a Monday op-ed piece.
As COVID-19 surges, CMS expands its Hospitals Without Walls program
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 01, 2020
With new cases of COVID-19 surging nationwide, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced the inclusion of six health systems to its Hospitals Without Walls program. The initiative was...
New COVID-19 vaccine education website geared to home care workers
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 01, 2021
The Partnership for Medicaid Home-Based Care (PMHC) has launched Be Wise, Immunize., a website to provide information about the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 3 million home care workers.
Florida’s minimum wage increase could help and hurt home healthcare
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 13, 2020
Voters’ Nov. 3 decision to raise Florida’s minimum wage from $8.56 to $15 per hour by 2026 may put financial pressure on home healthcare agencies, causing some to lay off workers or even go out of...
OIG audits telehealth home services, studies HHAs’ pandemic strategies
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 25, 2021
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently has disclosed it is conducting an audit of home health services that were provided as telehealth during COVID-19. In addition,...
Number of MA beneficiaries receiving supplemental benefits for the chronically ill triples in one year,...
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 09, 2021
The number of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receiving Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) has skyrocketed — from 1 million in 2020 to 3 million in 2021— according to a...
Study shows far fewer COVID-19 cases at home than in nursing homes, assisted living
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 10, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for home- and community-based services programs pales in comparison with those for nursing homes, concludes a recent study in the JAMDA, Journal of Post-Acute and...
PACE provider urges Michigan legislature to overturn home-care restrictions
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 18, 2020
Denver-based InnovAge, the largest Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly provider, is advocating that the Michigan legislature pass a bill that would allow it to petition the Michigan Department...
Biden’s day 1 pandemic plan promising for HCBS, home care leader says
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 25, 2021
Home care providers were pleased to learn that the new administration’s pandemic preparedness plan offers a nod to home care for older adults.
Virginia lawmakers pass bill giving home care workers sick leave
By
Joe Jancsurak
Mar 02, 2021
Virginia lawmakers voted 54-44 on Friday to approve a bill for providing home care workers with paid sick leave, which had been a divisive issue even among Democrats who control the Senate in the state.