Happy Birthday, Medicare!
Forty-nine years ago today, the Medicare program was established. For nearly half a century, Medicare has provided access to quality, comprehensive healthcare to Americans 65 and older without fear of bankruptcy. Today, home health is one of the most important benefits included in the Medicare program, providing care to 3.5 million of the…
Lawmakers, Media, and Community Leaders Agree: We Must Save Home Health!
On July 15, Representatives Greg Walden (OR-2) and Tom Price (GA-6) introduced the Securing Access Via Excellence (SAVE) Medicare Home Health Act to protect America’s seniors. 
 This bill replaces the unprecedented Medicare rebasing cuts with payment reform to achieve savings by improving care for Medicare beneficiaries and reducing avoidable spending on preventable hospital readmissions….
Celebrate Men’s Health Week
This week we celebrate Men’s Health Week with people across the country. This year’s theme is “Awareness. Prevention. Education. Family.” We are thankful for this movement that encourages men to seek medical care and lead healthy, preventative lifestyles. Yet, what better way to honor the men in our lives than to make sure that they…
Celebrating National Women’s Health Week
Each year, the Department of Health and Human Services kicks off National Women’s Health Week following Mother’s Day. This year, they are focusing on the theme of “Becoming Well Women.” While this week serves as a great opportunity for healthcare providers to think about ways to help women stay healthy, home healthcare providers are…
Celebrating Older Americans Month
Each May, we join the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month to recognize older Americans for their contributions and discuss ways to help them stay healthy. This year, the Administration for Community Living is focusing on injury prevention with the theme “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.” Older Americans are at a higher risk of injury…
Home Health Sector Sees the Largest Job Loss in More than a Decade
The December Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report projects that 3,700 home health jobs were lost in December, demonstrating the biggest loss in home health jobs in more than a decade. Leaders in the home health community have warned these cuts are directly related to the unprecedented 14 percent cut to the Medicare…
What the Home Health Rule Means For Providers & Patients
Despite the concerns expressed by more than 200 bipartisan Members of Congress, leading senior advocacy organizations, patients, and providers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) chose to cut Medicare home health payments to the fullest extent allowed by the Affordable Care Act. These cuts, at 3.5% per year, total an unprecedented cut to…
November is National Home Care & Hospice Month
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and many Americans will be making their way home to spend quality time with family and friends. And while there is much to be thankful for, perhaps “home” might be the most important of all. November is National Home Care and Hospice Month, a time dedicated to preserving…
Lawmakers and Advocates Speak Out Against Proposed Home Health Cuts
In June, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a draft regulation that proposes to deeply cut Medicare funding for home healthcare services. Cuts of this severity could threaten the delivery of quality skilled home health services for Medicare’s most vulnerable beneficiaries. As home healthcare providers and patients wait to see whether…
Preparing Home Health Patients for Natural Disasters
With the start of Hurricane season, we are reminded yet again of the importance of emergency preparedness for the home health sector. While hospitals and shelters help to protect many individuals in the event of a natural disaster, homebound patients often continue to rely on their home health providers to deliver the care they need…