WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 5, 2021)—An audit of eight home health agencies (HHAs) by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that most had infection control policies and procedures that met the standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and followed CMS COVID-19 guidance to safeguard Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report issued last week.

SAN FRANCISCO (October 5, 2021)—Honor Technology, Inc., a senior care network and technology platform, which recently acquired global homecare provider Home Instead, announced it has raised $70 million in Series E funding and $300 million in debt financing. The round brings Honor's total equity funding to date to $325 million and values the company at over $1.25 billion.

SAGINAW, Mich. (September 30, 2021)—Elara Caring announced it is expanding its skilled home health services—including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more—with the opening of a new location in Saginaw, Michigan. As demand for home health care continues to grow, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, this service expansion will bring skilled home health services to the area.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Calendar Year (CY) 2022 participants in the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model. There is a more than two-fold increase in the number of model enrollees covered by participating MA plans in 2022 compared to 2021.

ANKENY, Iowa (September 28, 2021)—When individuals with complex health needs receive clinically appropriate, home-delivered meals for 13 weeks, their overall medical spend and emergency department use significantly decreased for the next six months, according to just-released results of a pilot program between Mom’s Meals and UPMC Health Plan’s Medicaid physical health managed care plan, UPMC for You.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2021)—The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met to discuss the development of a mandated report assessing the impact of the shift to the Patient Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) payment model for Medicare home health, and in particular the 30-day episode and the removal of therapy utilization in payment determinations.

SAN DIEGO (September 24, 2021)—Cue Health Inc., a health technology company, announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 12,500,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $200.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Cue Health. All of the shares are being offered and sold by Cue Health. 

NEW YORK (September 23, 2021)—Kins, a patient-centered physical therapy practice, announced its public launch. Providing a hybrid model of in-person and virtual care, Kins blends personal connection, quality care and modern convenience. This approach creates an individualized recovery plan, focused on successful rehabilitation and completion of the patient’s physical therapy regimen.
 

DALLAS (September 21, 2021)—Medalogix, a health-tech company using machine learning to advance patient care within home health, palliative and hospice care settings, has partnered with Homecare Homebase (HCHB) to announce Heart to Heart Hospice as the winner of the Medalogix Muse Trailblazer Award. The award is presented annually to organizations that leverage Medalogix Muse technology to achieve the highest quality of patient care.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (September 17, 2021)—24 Hour Home Care, a nonmedical in-home care provider, announced it has acquired GrandCare Health Services’ nonmedical caregiving division, effective Sept. 1, 2021. The official announcement was made from 24 Hour Home Care’s headquarters in Los Angeles and will allow the company to further expand its homecare services across Southern California.