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...
Legislation would provide increased funding for HCBS, worker benefits
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 09, 2020
Funding for home- and community-based services would increase under legislation introduced Monday by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
MedPAC-proposed 5 percent cut to home health pay misses mark: NAHC
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 08, 2020
The 5% cut to home health pay recommended by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission does not consider all the costs of care operation and does not include home health agencies that are integrated into...
Missouri hospital to expand at-home care program to increase hospital bed availability
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 02, 2020
Mercy Hospital in Washington, MO, announced on Monday the expansion of its virtual program to care for select COVID-19 patients at home. Through the new initiative, healthcare workers will offer 24-hour...
Home care briefs for Wednesday, Dec. 2
Dec 02, 2020
‘Gossip bots’ one day may serve as personal caregiver assistants for older adults with dementia … Partnership to increase availability and adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation via a virtual program...
More patients being discharged to home health settings: report
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 30, 2020
The percentage of patients discharged from short-term acute care hospitals to home health settings jumped 8% between May 2019 and May 2020, going from 11% in May 2019 to 19%, according to a report from...
Study shows home health care may benefit COVID-19 patients after hospital discharge
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 25, 2020
Most hospital-discharged COVID-19 patients may benefit from home healthcare, according to a study of 1,409 patients who were admitted to home healthcare settings after hospitalization.
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...
Adopt RAP changes for 2021, but don’t rush the OASIS, experts stress
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 20, 2020
Home health agencies struggling with cash flow shortages after Medicare reduced its upfront payment to 20% this year could see increased financial problems in 2021 when the upfront payment is eliminated.
Home care’s future looks bright — and daunting — as workforce challenges loom large
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 19, 2020
With the number of Medicare beneficiaries expected to increase from 54 million to more than 80 million by 2030, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee, and with the public expressing a preference...