NAPERVILLE, Ill. (January 14, 2021)—Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is underway across the country, starting with frontline health care workers and those over the age of 65 (or 75 in some areas) or with underlying conditions. Although the rollout in some areas has been slow, hampered by storage issues and political obstacles, community pharmacies are gearing up to help vaccinate the masses.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 19, 2021)—As anticipated, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an advisory body to Congress, met last week to finalize payment and policy recommendations that will be incorporated in its annual March Report to Congress.
MESA, Ariz. (January 19, 2021)—Phoenix-based Valley Medical Supplies has been acquired by Copper Star Home Medical Supplies (Mesa, Arizona). With this acquisition, Valley Medical and Copper Star will combine their business models. Current Copper Star president and owner Korry Johnston will remain in his position.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2021)—This is a developing story. HomeCare will share more as more information becomes available.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized a signature accomplishment of the new Office of Burden Reduction & Health Informatics (OBRHI). This final rule builds on the efforts to drive interoperability, empower patients, and reduce costs and burden in the health care market by promoting secure electronic access to health data in new and innovative ways.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2021)—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing today that it will be amending the reporting timeline for the Provider Relief Fund Program (PRF) due to the recent passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. HHS has been working to provide updated reporting requirements that comply with this recently passed legislation.
BOSTON (January 15, 2021)—CareAcademy, a homecare and home health workforce empowerment platform, announced a strategic partnership with Wild Iris Medical Education that will further expand the company’s offering to include accredited nursing continuing education. By leveraging Wild Iris Medical Education’s American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accredited and approved courses, CareAcademy will add more than 70 courses, representing more than 300 contact hours.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 15, 2021)—PlayMaker Health, a post-acute sales enablement and business intelligence platform, and HealthRev Partners, a provider of tech-driven, consultative revenue cycle management services for home health and hospice agencies, announced that they have partnered to deliver impactful solutions to drive and maximize revenue growth.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 14, 2021) -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on Tuesday that propels innovative technology so Medicare beneficiaries have access to the latest, most advanced devices. The action is designed to help smooth the Medicare coverage pathway for innovative products, resulting in faster access to new devices for America’s seniors.
NASHVILLE (January 14, 2021)—Permobil, Inc. and LUCI announced a partnership to provide LUCI’s smart wheelchair technology through Permobil’s industry-leading clinical education and commercial organization to Veterans Affairs’ (VA) rehabilitation clinics in the United States.