WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021)—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has briefly reopened the window for health care providers to submit Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 1 reporting through Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 (11:59pm ET). Full text of the announcement was posted on the PRF reporting portal with no announcement/notice on the PRF homepage. The update reads in full:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021)—Late last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an advisory body to the U.S. Congress, verbally approved the following recommendations, with a formal vote will be taken at a January meeting. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has provided a summary of those recommendations:
GURNEE, IL. (December 15, 2021)—BrightStar Care, a nationwide franchise that provides in-home care, released key findings from an analysis conducted by Avalere Health, a leading U.S.-based health care analytics firm. The analysis evaluated BrightStar Care's client outcomes and cost benefits.
CHICAGO (December 15, 2021)—American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is pleased to announce the completion of a three-year Palliative Care Measures Project funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). AAHPM, with subrecipients National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care and RAND Corporation, was awarded a $5.5 million three-year cooperative agreement from CMS.
NEW ORLEANS, La. (December 15, 2021)—The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has revived the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care facilities, including home health agencies, in 26 states.
HOUSTON (December 14, 2021)—In the first extradition from the Republic of Cameroon to the United States, a Texas man was extradited to Houston on Friday to serve an 80-year prison sentence he received in absentia four years ago after he pleaded guilty in two separate cases to conspiracy, health care fraud, money laundering and tax offenses.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mi. (December 14, 2021)—Franchise Dictionary Magazine recognized ComForCare, a franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, as one of the top 100 Game Changers of 2021. This recognition highlights franchises that fill a niche, help the communities they are a part of, and provide opportunities for aspiring business owners.
ATLANTA (December 14, 2021)—Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc., a diversified homecare platform focused on providing care to medically complex, high-cost patient populations, announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Comfort Care, a home health and hospice company with operations in Alabama and Tennessee, for $345 million, representing $290 million of value, net of the present value of approximately $55 million in estimated net tax benefits.
DAVIE, Fla. (December 14, 2021)—This week marks the 10th anniversary of Spectra Baby USA. Over the past decade, Spectra Baby USA has grown to become one of the largest and most recognized brands of top-performing and award-winning breast pumps and accessories. Known for its Natural Nursing Technology, Spectra leads the industry with innovative technology and is a champion for breastfeeding education and support.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (December 14, 2021)—Breathe, LLC is excited to announce its new independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF) oximetry software platform that supports a reusable FDA-cleared ring oximeter.
This software enhancement means that durable medical equipment (DME) providers now have an IDTF software platform that provides them with an opportunity to utilize this type of oximeter.