Illinois Congressional Delegation Asks CMS to Delay Pre-Claim Review
Earlier this month, CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt received a letter signed by every member of the Illinois Congressional delegation urging him to suspend the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration (PCRD) program in the state. Since the program began on August 3, providers have reported numerous improper care denials and technical issues with the state’s Medicare Administrative Contractor…
Home Health Leaders Applaud Introduction of Independence at Home Act
The Partnership commends U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) for introducing the Independence at Home Act, which will convert the Independence at Home (IAH) demonstration into a permanent national Medicare program. The legislation has been lauded across the home health community for bringing primary…
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…
Home Health Programs Improve Care & Save Money
A recent report by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revealed what we’ve known for over 20 years – home-based care for the highest utilizers of Medicare services delivers quality care at a lower cost. Yesterday CMS announced that a demonstration program to increase in-home primary care for patients with chronic conditions…
New Data Shows Decline in Hospital Readmissions for Home Health Patients
The Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation has worked with Avalere to release an updated Home Health Chartbook, providing a broad overview of home health patients, the home health workforce, organizational trends, and the economic contribution of home health agencies. The updated analysis of America’s home health population and industry highlights a number…
Home Health Honors Veterans by Providing The Care They Need in a Setting They Prefer
On Veterans Day, it is important that Americans everywhere pause and consider the great sacrifice of our nation’s servicemen and women. Even against great odds, they have defended our way of life with valor and steadfast devotion. Yet, veterans deserve our unbridled support for much more than a single day. And that begins with…
Future of Home Health Care Workshop
This week, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council hosted the Future of Home Health Care Workshop, sponsored by the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI), to discuss the current state of home health in the nation’s health care delivery system in order to improve the understanding of the role home…
Report: New Data Show Home-Based Care Saves Medicare Money
A study conducted by MedStar Washington Hospital Center found that home-based primary care incurred 17 percent lower overall Medicare costs over a course of two years. The report published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found patients who received home-based care had: 10 percent fewer ER visits, 9 percent fewer…
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…
INFOGRAPHIC: Home Health Patients versus All Medicare Beneficiaries
While all Medicare beneficiaries are in need of healthcare services, home healthcare beneficiaries are typically more vulnerable than the average Medicare patient. They are older, more likely to live alone, have fewer financial resources, and suffer from more chronic health conditions. In recent years, the home health benefit has been repeatedly hit with spending…