With new model, CMS opens up home care opportunities for MCOs serving dual eligibles
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 21, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new model for 2021 enables Medicaid managed care organizations to allow in-home aides to promote flu vaccines, manage medical appointments and receive training...
Nominee for CMS administrator would bring ‘solid experience,’ home care leader says
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 23, 2021
Home care association leaders welcomed President Biden’s recent choice of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the next administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Study: More seniors could live longer at home with the right equipment
By
Joe Jancsurak
Mar 24, 2021
Many elderly Americans lack the basic self-care equipment that could enable them to live at home longer, a study by University of California San Francisco researchers found.
Report shows huge jumps in Medicare Advantage enrollment among minorities, dually eligible
By
Joe Jancsurak
Oct 19, 2020
Minority enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans increased by 111% in 2019, with minority beneficiaries accounting for 31.5% of Medicare Advantage enrollees. Meanwhile, enrollment of dually eligible beneficiaries...
President reportedly names two acting administrators to CMS helm
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 21, 2021
Two longtime Centers for Medicare and Medicaid staffers — Liz Richter and Jeff Wu — will temporarily lead CMS under the Biden administration, according to a staff email from former CMS Administrator...
Home care program allowed discriminatory requests for visiting aides, lawsuit alleges
By
Joe Jancsurak
Nov 02, 2020
A state contractor that coordinates home healthcare visits under Connecticut’s Medicaid program repeatedly has accommodated “discriminatory requests by Medicaid home health care recipients not to send...
Senators urge Biden to pursue plans to invest in Medicaid HCBS
By
Joe Jancsurak
Feb 08, 2021
Several U.S. senators encouraged the administration to fulfill its campaign pledge to invest $450 billion in Medicaid home- and community-based care. In a Friday letter to President Biden and Vice President...
Home healthcare spending rises by 7.7% to $113.5B in 2019
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 17, 2020
Home healthcare spending continues to climb. It soared to $113.5 billion in 2019, 7.7% higher than the year before, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of the Actuary, which...
New CMS payment model could increase access to home care
By
Joe Jancsurak
Dec 04, 2020
A voluntary payment model announced Wednesday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could put home care within reach for more Medicare beneficiaries, the agency said.
Spending on HCBS continues to comprise more than half of total Medicaid LTSS outlay, CMS finds
By
Joe Jancsurak
Jan 22, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released the Medicaid LTSS Annual Expenditures Report for federal fiscal years (FFY) 2017 and 2018. This report discusses the long-term services and...