AHCA/NCAL asks HHS to extend COVID-19 public health emergency past Jan. 11
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 03, 2022
The COVID-19 public health emergency should be extended past Jan. 11 “so that long-term and post-acute care providers can continue to offer the most efficient and effective care possible and so our nation’s...
CDC relaxes COVID-19 vaccination rules for foreign travelers
Apr 28, 2023
Another federal agency, the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced that healthcare workers would be considered “fully vaccinated” with the one bivalent dose.
Vaccine mandate brings relief to home care agencies but raises questions
By
Diane Eastabrook
Sep 13, 2021
President Biden’s vaccine mandate for workers at healthcare agencies receiving Medicare and Medicaid was the kind of good news Louisiana home care agencies needed.
Sept. 13 is new deadline for eligible assisted living operators to apply for Provider Relief Fund
By
Lois A. Bowers
Sep 01, 2020
Eligible assisted living operators and other eligible providers now have until Sept. 13 to apply for the phase 2 general distribution of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider...
HHS changes rules for distribution of relief funds to Medicaid providers
By
Lois A. Bowers
Aug 13, 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services has reversed its position and now says that Medicaid providers who previously received a payment from a general distribution of funds from the Coronavirus Aid,...
CMS commits to COVID-19 vaccine available for all
By
Joe Jancsurak
Oct 16, 2020
Not only will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services make sure that a COVID-19 vaccine be made available to older adults at no cost once a vaccine is approved; the agency also is working to guarantee...
Concerns grow that pandemic relief bill will accelerate ongoing shift to HCBS
By
Amy Novotney
Mar 01, 2021
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday includes billions of dollars in new funding for government long-term services and supports for frail...
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...
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.
LHC Group offers bullish outlook on home care based on new policies, legislation in Washington
By
Diane Eastabrook
May 07, 2021
National home care and hospice provider LHC Group sees nothing but tailwinds ahead, despite ongoing uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic.