Honor Veterans by Protecting Access to Care
As Memorial Day approaches, the brave service men and women who fought so loyally for our country are in our minds and hearts. We show utmost appreciation for their sacrifices that have kept our country safe and free. Every day, home health agencies across the country strive to improve care and quality of life…
Home Health Value Kit: The Human, Clinical and Fiscal Value of the Skilled Medicare Home Health Benefit
We are pleased to release a new Home Health Value Kit: a guide that provides comprehensive information on the value of the Medicare home health benefit. Home healthcare provides clinically advanced, cost effective post-acute and chronic care management in the setting patients desire most – their home. So it’s critical for lawmakers, their staff, and other…
Five Reasons Prior Authorization Is Bad for Medicare Services
CMS is seeking comment on requiring prior authorization for Medicare home health, upon which approximately 3.5 million Medicare beneficiaries depend. Prior authorization means that a patient can’t receive the care her physician ordered unless and until a government official has reviewed that order (and a lot of other paperwork besides) and given it his blessing….
Congress: Harmful Medicare Home Health Cuts Still Need Repeal
by former Congressman Billy Tauzin Winter break has officially ended and Congress is back in session gearing up for a busy 2016. As we inch closer to the election, both parties are lining up their priorities for the coming months. On the docket this week is a vote on a budget reconciliation bill…
Bring the Vote Home Releases New Polling Data & Launches a New Website
One year out from the 2016 general elections, Bring The Vote Home has released the results of new polling data, which surveyed more than 2,000 registered voters over age 65. This polling data revealed that American seniors want a candidate who will be an advocate for them on issues specific to those over 65,…
Remember to Honor our Veterans
Today is Veterans Day, an important time for Americans to pause and consider the sacrifices that have been made by our country’s servicemen and women. Even against great odds, they have defended our way of life with valor and steadfast devotion. Our appreciation for those who have served our country should go beyond just…
Happy National Family Caregivers Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month, which is a time to recognize the valuable role family caregivers play in the lives of America’s home health patients. Many of Medicare’s home health patients are able to remain at home – and out of institutional settings – while receiving essential care services because of the collective support…
133 Bipartisan Lawmakers Agree: We Must Save Home Health
133 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently expressed their deep concern with proposed Medicare home health funding cuts in a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt. In June, CMS released the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HHPPS) proposed rule for 2016, in which…
Happy National Seniors Citizens Day!
Today is National Seniors Citizens Day! Across the country, home health professionals are celebrating our seniors by providing cost effective, clinically advanced care to more than 3.5 million Medicare patients in the setting they prefer. As Ronald Reagan said when signing the National Seniors Day proclamation: “We can best demonstrate our gratitude and…
Home Health Care Services are at Risk for Rural America
Funding cuts made to Medicare home health in recent years are hurting home health providers and their patients across the country, particularly those operating in rural areas. Powell Valley Home Care and Hospice (PVHC) has offered home health and hospice services in northwest Wyoming since 1989, but the company recently announced plans to permanently…