Pandemic leads to underutilization of plans and higher profits for Humana
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 05, 2020
Humana announced adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $327 million in its Healthcare Services segment in the third quarter, compared with $283 million in the third...
FDA authorizes first COVID-19 diagnostic test for home use
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 20, 2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week issued an emergency use authorization for the first COVID-19 at-home diagnostic self-test. The Lucira all-in-one test kit is a molecular (real-time loop...
Humana launches pilot program for MA members with multiple chronic diseases
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 18, 2021
Humana, an insurer and home care provider, reportedly is launching a pilot platform — Humana Care Support — for Medicare Advantage members with multiple chronic diseases in Pennsylvania, West Virginia...
Home care provider submitted $76K in fraudulent Medicaid claims, state says
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 04, 2021
A home care services provider in Mandan, ND, allegedly submitted $76,000 worth of fraudulent Medicaid claims for an impossible amount of hours worked in a single day, according to an affidavit filed by...
NAHC clears up confusion on face-to-face encounters, other questions stemming from COVID-19 statute
By
Joe Jancsurak
Mar 03, 2021
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice reports that it has received clarification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding some discrepancies between Medicare regulations...
Report on LTACs during COVID-19 shines a light on the role of home care
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 17, 2021
COVID-19 has in many ways changed the post-acute care landscape. Home care now is more often seen as a viable option, according to an ATI Advisory research paper, “Role of LTAC Hospitals in COVID-19...
Two home care workers linked to $100M fraud scheme
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 02, 2021
Two Massachusetts women — one a part owner and operator of Arbor Homecare Services LLC in Chelmsford, MA, and the other a licensed practical nurse employed as a home health nurse at Arbor Homecare —...
Study: Many Medicare beneficiaries with planned discharges to HHAs don’t actually receive HHA care
By
Joe Jancsurak
Mar 26, 2021
Some 4 out of 10 Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas with planned discharges to home hospital agencies (HHAs) didn’t actually receive that HHA care, according to a new study entitled “Post-acute...
Study warns against eliminating audio-only telehealth coverage
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 05, 2021
In the pre-pandemic days, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ telehealth reimbursement policy required the use of audio and video. A return to such a policy could hurt a significant number...
DOL clarifies independent contractor status
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 07, 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a final rule meant to clarify the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act.