ATLANTA (October 14, 2021)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is proud to announce the 2021 Van Miller Homecare Champion award, recognizing outstanding home medical equipment (HME) service, will be presented to Steve Ackerman, president and CEO of Spectrum Medical in Silver Spring, Maryland.
MINNEAPOLIS (October 13, 2021)—Lifespark, formerly Lifesprk, a provider of whole person services for seniors, has raised $20 million in a B-round to lead the nation in delivering population well-being. This round is being led by Virgo-managed fund to continue funding advancements in Lifespark's operating system and proprietary technology platform and UCare, the largest Medicare Advantage provider in Minnesota, to serve Minnesota seniors holistically with a multiproduct strategy.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 13, 2021)—Ninety-five members of the House of Representatives have joined a Congressional sign-on letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize the durable medical equipment (DME) rule and extend the 50/50 blended rates for suppliers serving rural areas.
CHICAGO (October 13, 2021)—Help at Home, a provider of in-home, person-centered care for seniors, announced the closing of two acquisitions in late September 2021: Pennsylvania-based Meridius Health and Georgia-based Altamaha HomeCare's nonskilled business. Meridius Health and Altamaha add a combined 300 passionate and caring field employees/caregivers serving more than 320 clients in need of homecare in the Lancaster and Southeast Georgia areas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 12, 2021)—Hospice providers have been anxiously awaiting additional information on two new Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) measures:
• Hospice Visits in Last Days of Life (HVLDL)
• Hospice Care Index (HCI)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (October 12, 2021)—Addus HomeCare, a provider of comprehensive homecare and support services, has joined the National Minority Health Association (NMHA) in support of the Flex for Checks program that aims to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among those living in medically underserved communities.
RICHFIELD, Minn. & BOSTON (October 12, 2021)—Best Buy has signed an agreement to acquire Current Health, a care-at-home technology platform that brings together remote patient monitoring, telehealth and patient engagement into a single solution for health care organizations.
WATERLOO, Iowa (October 12, 2021)—Nominations for the 2021 HME Woman of the Year Award are being accepted through Oct. 22.
The sixth annual award, presented by VGM, recognizes a woman in the industry who has made increasingly significant contributions throughout her career to her company, community and the home medical equipment (HME) industry.
AUSTIN, Texas, (October 11, 2021)—Movair, a respiratory therapy company formerly known as International Biophysics Corporation, announced the U.S. commercial launch of Luisa, an advanced ventilator intended for use in homes, institutions, hospitals or portable applications for both invasive and noninvasive ventilation. Luisa can be used through the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization in response to the increasing need for safe and effective ventilators.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (October 11, 2021)—WellSky, a health and community care technology company, announced that Seema Verma, the longest-serving administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in modern history, has joined the company’s board of directors. Verma’s vast experience creating national health care policies and developing technology standards will accelerate WellSky’s mission to transform care at every level.