From the latest on the Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics Orthotics and Supplies Competitive Bidding changes, to the Patient-Driven Groupings Model, to legislation affecting how providers do business, HomeCare is here to keep you informed. Find news and articles from our experts to guide you as you navigate the policies that affect your business.
WASHINGTON—On June 13, 2024, Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon released a discussion draft of legislation, the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act, that would make significant changes to the Medicare hospice program.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a final rule in April, imposing minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities (LTC), which provide care to nearly
WATERLOO, Iowa—Over the past few legislative sessions, the Oklahoma Medical Equipment Providers Association (OMEPA) has navigated a legislative rollercoaster. Their commitment to building relationships and advocating for patients has led to significant wins.
TROY, Michigan—CarePatrol, a senior care solutions organization, recently announced a significant victory for the senior care industry as Maryland franchisee Paula Sotir worked with other senior
WASHINGTON—Following the mark up of the revised Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Act (HR 8244) by the House Ways and Means Committee on May 8, Katie Smith Sloat, president and CEO of LeadingAge released the following statement.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Recently introduced legislation from Ways and Means Committee members aims at improving access to health care in America, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
WASHINGTON—More than 50 American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) board and council leaders are set to meet with approximately 140 House and Senate offices on May 15. Advocates will discuss a range of issues, including Medicare reimbursement policy—specifically, the need to pass 75/25 relief legislation that has moved through House and Senate committees but was not included in recent spending bills.
Since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Final Rule on "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services" on Monday, April 22, many in the industry have voiced their disappointment in the rule, including the National Association for Home Care & H
NASHVILLE, Tennessee—On Wednesday, April 24 the Tennessee House of Representatives unanimously approved (96-0) an amended version of HB 2147/SB 2368, legislation that ensures patients have strong access to effective preventative maintenance and repairs for complex rehab technology (CRT).
The newly adopted legislation:
ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Aeroflow Health, a nationwide provider of durable medical equipment (DME), celebrated the passage of
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference to announce the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act (S 4120), legislation that would address a nationwide shortage of long-term care workers. Long-term care workers, including certified nursing assistants, personal care aides and home health aides, allow seniors to age with dignity, but low wages, understaffing and poor working conditions in the field have led to a severe shortage of workers.
WASHINGTON—A White House fact sheet highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's plans for building on the progress of investments in homecare and long-term care.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tom Carper (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), members of the Senate Duals Working Group, introduced the Delivering Unified Access to Lifesaving Services (DUALS) Act of 2024 to improve coverage for individuals jointly enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, also known as dual eligibles.
The DUALS Act of 2024:
WASHINGTON—During a Ways & Means Committee hearing that examined opportunities and challenges in enhancing access to care in patients’ homes and modernizing care in rural and underserved communities, U.S. Rep.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), member of the Senate Committee on Aging, and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, introduced the Strategic Plan for Aging Act, a landmark bill that would create a new, nationwide grant program under the Older Americans Act (OAA) to incentivize and support states’ efforts to create their own strategic plans for aging.
WASHINGTON—On Sunday, congressional leaders announced an agreement for a narrow health care package as part of appropriations legislation. The package does not include provisions to extend 75/25 Medicare blended rates for durable medical equipment (DME) in nonrural areas. These measures are part of appropriations language set for consideration by March 8.
WASHINGTON—AAHomecare’s lobbying team and other home medical equipment (HME) stakeholders remain engaged in advocating for including extended 75/25 blended-rate relief among health care provisions in government spending packages needed in advance of March 1 and March 8 funding deadlines. HHS funding is subject to the March 8 deadline.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act to establish a hospital-at-home pilot program that would test expanding the acute hospital-at-home program to include observation status patients.
WASHINGTON—AARP applauded the reintroduction of the Credit for Caring Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide up to a $5,000 nonrefundable federal tax credit for working family caregivers who routinely cut back on their own health care or dip into their savings each year.
WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill Thursday, Jan. 18 to keep the government funded until the beginning of March, buying lawmakers more time to finish the formal appropriations process.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mark R.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) released updates on state-related Medicaid policies and reimbursement rate increases.
Virginia Medicaid durable medical equipment (DME) policy was updated on Jan. 1 to include several revisions sought by industry advocates. Key changes include:
