HHS extends timeframe for states to use federal funds to expand HCBS
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 03, 2022
States will have an additional year to use federal American Rescue Plan funds to expand home- and community-based services for Medicaid beneficiaries, the federal government announced Friday.
GAO urges CMS to take action on assisted living recommendation
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 09, 2019
The Government Accountability Office on Monday urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to address a recommendation made in its January 2018 report on assisted living and said it would be monitoring...
Virginia’s home care workers at risk without Medicaid rate increase, lawmakers and providers say
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 27, 2021
A minimum wage hike might sound like a great step for home care. But unless Medicaid reimbursement rises as well, it puts home care agencies in a difficult position. That is what two Virginia state lawmakers...
Home care providers praise 10% increase in FMAP in stimulus package
By
Diane Eastabrook
Mar 10, 2021
A “win-win” is how LeadingAge describes the proposed 10% increase in funding to Medicaid for home- and community-based services (HCBS). The increase was part of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package...
Dual enrollment status, state regulations affect end-of-life care in assisted living: study
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 03, 2022
Dual Medicare / Medicaid enrollment, state regulations, and race and ethnicity affect access to end-of-life care in assisted living communities and where residents die, according to a new study published...
State Medicaid directors urge caution on Graham-Cassidy reforms
By
Lois A. Bowers
Sep 22, 2017
The Graham-Cassidy bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act contains “significant challenges” that deserve “thorough discussion, examination and analysis,” the National...
Congressional Democrats back long-term care help for middle-income families
By
Diane Eastabrook
Apr 14, 2021
President Joseph Biden’s $400 billion plan to upgrade the nation’s caregiving infrastructure could include ways to help middle-income Americans pay for long-term care through Medicare of Medicaid.
OIG audit gives home health industry a passing grade with room for improvement
By
Diane Eastabrook
Sep 29, 2021
Six out of eight home health agencies had infection control policies and procedures in place that met Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements.
Improper federal payments near $100 billion mark, auditors find
By
John O'Connor
Jun 09, 2017
Erroneous government payments to senior living operators and other health-related organizations are approaching $100 billion a year, a new federal report alleges.
Bipartisan bill would make audio-only telehealth visits permanent for Medicare enrollees
By
Diane Eastabrook
May 27, 2021
New legislation providing audio-only telehealth visits for Medicare enrollees hit the House of Representatives earlier this week.