Home-based care insiders have been saying for a long time what a wider group of people are now: Care needs to be brought into the home more frequently — and quickly. But accomplishing that won’t be so simple. In fact, turning the nation’s long-term care… Read More »‘There Is Not An Easy Solution’: How to Modernize Home- and Community-Based Services
New York home care providers that have been waiting to see if a caregiver wage hike would be included in the state budget recently got an answer. On Monday, the New York state budget was released, with the Health and Mental Hygiene bill published at… Read More »112% Minimum Wage Hike Not Included in New York’s Final Budget
As part of the recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, state Medicaid programs have seemingly received a major bump in funding for vital home- and community-based services (HCBS). In theory, the bump is designed to help HCBS operators expand their services, attract new workers… Read More »‘There Are Still Many Questions Unanswered’: Home Care Providers Seek Clarity on American Rescue Plan
Accra executive lands promotion Accra has promoted Susan Morgan to the role of chief operating officer. The Minnetonka-based Accra is the largest provider of home care services in Minnesota. Among its offerings, the nonprofit company delivers assisted living, home health and mental health services, caring… Read More »Accra Names New COO; ConcertoCare Hires Chief Growth Officer
President Joe Biden is trying to make good on one of his main campaign promises. The Biden administration on Wednesday unveiled a new $2 trillion infrastructure proposal to create jobs, build roads, fix bridges and more. On top of that, the proposal — officially dubbed… Read More »‘A Monumental Advance’: Newly Unveiled American Jobs Plan Would Invest $400B into Home-Based Care
Across the country, states are granting vaccine access to more and more individuals, with some even offering the opportunity to anyone over the age of 16. But for home-based care agencies, the fight to inoculate clients and seniors is still very much ongoing. Additionally, addressing… Read More »Home-Based Care Agencies in Race with COVID-19 Variants, as Workers and Clients Continue Getting Vaccinated
Addus COO lands promotion Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) has promoted Brad Bickham to the role of president and chief operating officer. Frisco, Texas-based Addus provides personal care, home health and hospice services to about 44,000 consumers, through 212 locations in 22 states. Bickham’s promotion… Read More »Addus Promotes Bickham to President; WelbeHealth Names New CMO
For home care providers, the challenges surrounding workforce recruitment and retention have only worsened since the start of the COVID-19 emergency. But boosting caregiver wages could improve the industry’s labor shortage. That’s according to a recent report from researchers at The City University of New… Read More »Why Boosting Home Care Wages Now Could Offset Labor Losses Later
Traditionally, the home-based care world has been mostly void of massive unionization efforts among its workers. But that could change soon, thanks to a new ruling out of California related to “Assembly Bill 2455,” which the state passed in 2018. The bill aims to allow… Read More »State Bill Aiding Unionization in Home-Based Care Could ‘Set a Precedent’ Nationwide
The COVID-19 pandemic has passed the one-year mark. And since last spring, seniors have had to navigate a number of challenges. That’s according to a recent survey from home care franchise company Senior Helpers. Released late last week, the survey examines the feelings and behaviors… Read More »Senior Helpers Trying to Stay Ahead of the Senior Care Curve
An innovative care concept designed to keep patients at home and out of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is reportedly gaining ground in Congress and among special interest groups. The concept — known as “Choose Home” — is a type of SNF-at-home model that leverages both… Read More »SNF-at-Home Concept Earning ‘Very Positive Feedback’ in Congress, Among Special Interest Groups
In response to an executive order from President Joe Biden, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a national emphasis program aimed at protecting workers from COVID-19 while on the job. OSHA, part of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), is responsible for… Read More »OSHA’s Virus Protection Program Could Put Home Health Agencies Under the Microscope
Help at Home has a new CEO. The home- and community-based services provider announced Monday that current board member Chris Hocevar has been appointed chief executive officer, effective immediately. Hocevar replaces Paul Mastrapa, who previously served as a consultant and as the leader of Option… Read More »PE-Backed Help at Home Names New CEO
Moving Health Home (MHH) — the recently announced home-based care advancement coalition — has a new founding member. Telehealth company Amwell (NYSE: AMWL) has joined an array of health care industry leaders from across the continuum that also includes Amazon Care and Intermountain Healthcare. Boston-based… Read More »Amwell Joins the Ranks of Amazon, Intermountain on Home-Based Care Coalition
Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) — the personal care services powerhouse that has increasingly turned its attention to home health and hospice care over the past few years — has inked a new value-based care deal. The Frisco, Texas-based in-home care company announced Wednesday that… Read More »Addus Enters Value-Based Care Deal with Presbyterian Health Plan
One of the faster-growing home care organizations in the United States is now trying to grow even faster. PE Hub reported Monday that CareFinders Total Care is trying to lock down additional growth capital. Hackensack, New Jersey-based CareFinders provides home care services to more than… Read More »CareFinders Total Care Reportedly Pursuing Growth Capital
InnovAge (Nasdaq: INNV), a Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE) provider, officially went public Thursday. Denver-based InnovAge offers one of the largest PACE programs in the U.S. The company has about 1,900 employees and serves 6,600 seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, California, Pennsylvania and… Read More »‘We’re a Strong Alternative to Nursing Homes’: PACE Giant InnovAge Executes $350M IPO
An eclectic group of health care providers has formed a new organization dedicated to advancing home-based care. The long-term vision of the new entity, branded “Moving Health Home,” is to fundamentally change the way policymakers think about how, when and where patients are treated. The… Read More »Amazon Joins Home-Based Care Providers to Advocate for Better Health Care Policy
One of the biggest home health providers in the country is teaming up with one of the nation’s largest home care organizations. Birmingham, Alabama-based Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) and Omaha, Nebraska-based Right at Home jointly announced a new preferred provider relationship on Tuesday. Broadly, the… Read More »Encompass Health, Right at Home Collaborating on Value-Based Delivery Models
LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) and Orlando Health announced Tuesday they are expanding their joint venture into St. Petersburg, Florida, by realigning Bayfront Home Health Services into the partnership’s portfolio. Bayfront Home Health Services was already owned by LHC Group, but now the home health… Read More »LHC Group Expands In-Home Care Partnership with Orlando Health
Back in 2018, it felt like the health care sector was on the verge of a massive shift, driven by a desire from payers to better manage their members’ total cost of care with enhanced in-home capabilities. Much of that feeling came from watching Humana… Read More »Payers Increasingly Turning to Home-Based Care to Shoulder COVID-19 Costs
The United States is on the brink of another major shift that will change how, when and where Medicare beneficiaries access health care services. The Lafayette, Louisiana-based LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) is doing everything in its power to position itself for that coming shift,… Read More »LHC Group’s Myers: ‘Choose Home’ Initiative Would Reshape Long-Term Care
Over the last few months, Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) has had to deal with a challenging legislative environment and significant COVID-19 surges that have affected clients and caregivers alike. Still, the Frisco, Texas-based in-home care provider is maintaining its course, particularly when it comes… Read More »EVV Difficulties Creating M&A Opportunities for Addus HomeCare Corporation
U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly highlighted a need to rethink the nation’s long-term care landscape in recent months, partly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but also because of the country’s rapidly changing demographics. A recently published budget report from the House Appropriations Committee obtained by… Read More »Rural Access to Home Health Services, PACE Among Lawmakers’ Future Spending Priorities
Home care agencies have been through a turbulent year. But they’re coming out of it under a new light from the perspective of clients and potential partners. That spotlight continues to grow brighter with each passing day, too, though COVID-19 cases within home care have… Read More »NAHC’s Dombi: Home Care Opportunities Are on the Rise, Despite Ongoing Operational Challenges
When most people hear about hospital-at-home programs, they often picture ICU nurses and doctors running around their living room. But while hospital-at-home models do rely on physicians and clinical staff, successful programs also leverage the expertise of private-duty home care agencies and their veteran caregivers.… Read More »Always Best Care, Healing Hands Share Keys to Hospital-at-Home Success for Private-Duty Agencies
The number of people living with dementia in the U.S. continues to rise. To better serve this population, more home care providers are implementing service lines focused on memory care and disease-specific needs. Moorestown, New Jersey-based Bayada Home Health Care is one such provider. The… Read More »‘We Roll Out the Red Carpet’: Why Bayada Takes an Interactive Approach to Dementia Training
Although the overall infection rate is dropping as vaccine efforts ramp up, the U.S. is nearing the grim milestone of half a million COVID-19 deaths. Florida alone has reported more than 30,000 resident deaths linked to the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, according… Read More »Home Care Workers Vie for Access as US Surpasses 64M COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
In July 2019, home-based care veteran Kunu Kaushal launched the Independent Home Care Alliance (IHCA) to further unite independent home care agencies nationwide. The effort was somewhat stalled by last year’s pandemic troubles, but the organization is now remodeling with a newfound focus. Apart from… Read More »Home Care Veteran Invests $1.26M in Independent Home Care Alliance
Similar to some of its peers, Griswold Home Care is building its own “test kitchens” to experiment with new programs for clients and caregivers. The home care franchiser is doing so while simultaneously refocusing its related foundation. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based Griswold provides personal care services… Read More »Griswold Using Home Care ‘Test Kitchens’ to Automate the Recruitment Process
States continue to open up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to home-based care workers. Despite encouragement from industry leaders, some caregivers remain ambivalent about getting vaccinated. That’s not surprising, as there is a significant degree of vaccine hesitancy among all health care professionals. Roughly 15% of surveyed… Read More »Best of Care, CareAcademy Working to Curb Vaccine Hesitancy
COVID-19 vaccination efforts for front-line caregivers working in the home setting continue across the country. As that task unfolds, home care operators must now navigate related business disruptions, from scheduling challenges to clients refusing visits. At a corporate level, Homewatch CareGivers has been working to… Read More »How Homewatch CareGivers Is Handling Vaccine-Related Business Disruptions
A partnership between a five-hospital health system and at-home care company DispatchHealth considerably reduced emergency-room admissions and cost while improving patient satisfaction. Denver, Colorado-based DispatchHealth offers a variety of health care services in the home through its mobile, emergency medicine-trained teams. It contracts with health… Read More »At-Home Focus Helps Baystate Health Save $1,729 Per Visit in Risk-Based Population
Emerging out of the last recession in 2009, Daniel Stringer decided it was time to change careers. Formerly in finance, Stringer’s line of work had taken a huge hit. He was eager to find a place where his business would be recession-resilient — if not… Read More »Total Care Connections Leverages Diversified Revenue Mix, Staffing Investments to Grow in the Southwest
Synergy HomeCare has partnered with Compassus. The deal will allow the pair to offer both companies’ services to their clients. Synergy is a Gilbert, Arizona-based non-medical home care franchise that operates roughly 170 franchise locations nationwide. Nashville, Tennessee-based Compassus offers home health care services, plus… Read More »Synergy Lands Partnership with Compassus, Sees 35% Growth in New Territories
Despite continued staffing challenges, home care is on the rise. Several emerging trends will define that ascent in the year ahead. Some of those trends will revolve around home care’s role in new care delivery models designed to treat higher-acuity patients. Others will have to… Read More »Top Home Care Trends for 2021
The U.S. government has reached a $230 million deal to produce rapid at-home COVID-19 tests that can be purchased for $15 to $30 over the counter, the Biden administration announced Monday. The deal is with Ellume USA LLC, an Australia-based diagnostics company. For home-based care… Read More »Biden Administration Inks $230M Deal for At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Similar to most companies this time of year, home-based care organizations are going through their budgeting and planning processes for the next 12 months. Budgets are thoughtful, strategic financial frameworks that are decided upon annually, with an eye toward the future. But this time around,… Read More »Staffing, Hospital Partnerships and Disaster Prep: Providers Share 2021 Spending Priorities
One of the largest health conditions affecting Americans is heart failure. About 6.2 million Americans experience it every year, with home care workers often called upon to help. Just as is with many other conditions, however, home care workers are often ill-prepared to deal with… Read More »Study: Caregiver Confidence Plays a Major Role in Heart Failure Patient Outcomes
AccentCare appoints Chris Dimos as COO AccentCare has named Chris Dimos its chief operating officer. Dallas-based AccentCare has over 200 locations across the U.S. As a company, it provides skilled home health and personal care services, along with hospice care, private-duty nursing and care management… Read More »AccentCare Announces New COO; Humana Names First Chief Health Equity Officer
Despite individual concerns and procedural roadblocks in some states, many home health and home care providers say their workers have been able to gain access to the available COVID-19 vaccines. As the U.S. neared a large-scale vaccine rollout, some in-home care operators feared their clinicians… Read More »In-Home Care Providers Concerned About Clients Turning Away Unvaccinated Caregivers
It’s been four weeks since New York home health and hospice workers were deemed eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Since then, the state’s home-based care providers have had to navigate the often tricky process of helping their employees get inoculated. Similar to other parts… Read More »VNSNY, HCR Home Care Outline Vaccination Strategies
When a company goes through a significant leadership reorganization, it’s often the chance to breathe new life into the organization. This can mean a shift in perspective or even a major strategy overhaul. For HomeWell Care Services, which recently announced a series of leadership appointments,… Read More »HomeWell Banking on Hospital-to-Home Transition Program to Drive Growth in 2021
At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Senior Helpers CEO Peter Ross couldn’t tell the difference between Tuesday and Saturday. When you’re on the phone with China and India, doing whatever you can to find personal protective equipment (PPE), days of the week go by… Read More »Home Care Operators Prepare for Year 2 of COVID-19
President Joe Biden focused on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during his first full day in office Thursday. In doing so, he once again drew attention to home-based care and getting the current “workforce crisis” under control. “Our national strategy is comprehensive,” Biden said during an… Read More »Biden Administration Includes ‘Home Care Workforce Crisis’ in New Pandemic Plan
Before President Joe Biden was sworn in on Wednesday, he had already unveiled plans for another massive stimulus package, one that could help home-based care providers in some ways — and hurt them in others. Under the new president’s “American Rescue Plan,” for instance, there… Read More »What President Joe Biden’s ‘American Rescue Plan’ Means for Home Care Operators
It appears some health care companies are still opting to go public the old-fashioned way. Signify Health — a value-based care platform that uses advanced analytics and other technology to shift health services toward the home — filed an S-1 on Tuesday, indicating its intention… Read More »Home-Based Care Ally Signify Health Files for $100M IPO
Pennant kicks off 2021 M&A activity The Pennant Group Inc. (Nasdaq: PNTG) has kicked off its 2021 M&A push. The Eagle, Idaho-based post-acute care provider announced Tuesday it has acquired Sacred Heart Home Health Care, which provides home health services in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.… Read More »The Pennant Group Acquires Arizona Home Health Provider; Caring People Lands Multiple Home Care Companies
The COVID-19 emergency has prompted policymakers and health care executives to rethink senior care in the United States, particularly when it comes to greater investment around the home. But increased support for home-based care services should not automatically mean the death of nursing homes and… Read More »Investing More Heavily in Home-Based Senior Care Shouldn’t Mean ‘Abolishing Nursing Homes’
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an opinion letter allowing home care agencies to implement consistent shift rates that include pre-payment of overtime for caregivers who provide live-in services. In this case, a “live-in shift” is defined as being on the job for… Read More »DOL Guidance Could Lead to More Home Care Companies Providing Live-In Services
Wage-and-hour litigation, confusing state-level regulations and an increase in federal audits were among the biggest legal trends of 2020. While many of these issues will remain in the year ahead, 2021 will also bring several more legal hurdles for home-based care providers. The decision of… Read More »Top Home Health, Home Care Legal Concerns for 2021
The demand for caregivers continues to grow significantly. But unless job quality improves, filling these roles will be an uphill battle. That’s according to PHI, a New York-based advocacy organization for direct care workers. On Tuesday, the organization released a new report detailing recommendations to… Read More »Wage Bumps, Training and Long-Term Care Financing: Recommendations for Improving Caregiver Job Quality
The majority of health care financial leaders view home care as a key area of investment. That’s according to a recent survey from BDO, a Chicago-based accounting, tax, financial advisory and consulting organization. Released Monday, the survey includes the responses of 100 CFOs at U.S.… Read More »59% of Health Care CFOs See Home Care as Key Investment Area
For reasons beyond the coronavirus alone, 2020 was an unprecedented, action-packed year for home care operators. This year is guaranteed to bring more disruption as well, particularly as U.S. demographics continue to skew older and as the overall health care system looks to decentralize traditional… Read More »Right at Home Sets Sights on ‘Boomer Consumers’ with Custom Aging-in-Place Approach
Home care and hospice workers are now part of the pool of New Yorkers eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health originally announced that home care and hospice workers would be eligible to receive the first dose of the… Read More »New York Moves Up COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility for Home Care, Hospice Workers
Senior housing occupancy in the U.S. hit a record low in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the National Investment Center for Housing & Care (NIC). The record downturn is further proof that seniors and their families are looking for alternative long-term care options,… Read More »Senior Housing Occupancy Hits Record Low, Suggesting More Tailwinds for ‘Aging-in-Place’ Providers
Finding enough workers has been a longstanding pain point for in-home care providers. With the launch of a new national recruitment campaign, Interim HealthCare wants to take a proactive approach to address those persistent challenges. Interim is a Sunrise, Florida-based in-home care franchise with more… Read More »Interim’s New Recruitment Campaign Targets Job Candidates Looking to Make a Career Transition
Samuels joins the Amedisys board Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) has named Ivanetta Davis Samuels to its board of directors. She became officially active in her role on Dec. 15. “I am excited to welcome Ivanetta and her vast leadership experience to our Board of Directors,”… Read More »Amedisys Adds New Board Member; UVMHN Tabs New President
Los Angeles County’s home care companies woke up to some welcomed news right before the new year. Non-medical home care workers are now officially a part of the first tranche of individuals who can make an appointment for a vaccination, according to the Los Angeles… Read More »Home Care Workers Get Vaccine Prioritization in LA County, Setting Off Potential Domino Effect
The COVID-19 emergency has further compounded the difficulties home-based care providers face when it comes to retention. Still, many organizations have used this time to solidify their efforts around company culture. Care To Stay Home is one example. The company recently topped Fortune’s annual Best… Read More »Inside Care To Stay Home’s Person-Focused Retention Strategy
As different health care stakeholders combed through the new $1.4 trillion spending package approved by Congress on Monday, many likely felt a mix of excitement and disappointment. Included in the nearly 6,000-page spending package was a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill, changes to home health… Read More »$1.4 Trillion Spending Package Extends Sequestration Holiday, Grants Home Health OTs More Authority
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic dominated headlines in 2020 — and rightfully so. But there were plenty of other storylines that defined the year, including the launch of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), the conclusion of a hotly contested presidential election and the execution of multiple… Read More »Beyond the Pandemic: 9 Overlooked Stories from 2020
When it comes to clinical and operational efforts, COVID-19 has been at the forefront for most home-based care providers. With the public health emergency top of mind, it may be easy to forget that new federal technology requirements — electronic visit verification (EVV), in particular… Read More »Providers Scramble to Figure Out EVV as Implementation Date Inches Closer
The dichotomy in the U.S. right now is evident, especially for those in health care: While vaccines and coinciding hope are being injected into Americans, the number of new COVID-19 cases each day continues to climb. And while every home-based care provider and worker keeps… Read More »NAHC, NHPCO, Others Release Vaccine Guidance for In-Home Care Providers
The U.S. home care industry is at an inflection point. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of payers and health care providers began to recognize the value of non-medical home care, particularly when it comes to chronic disease management and preventative care. That… Read More »Turnover, Tiny Homes and New Technology: 2021 Predictions from 14 Home Care Executives
Backed by investment bank Harpeth Capital, a home-based care veteran recently threw his weight behind a new home health venture. The new company is called HomeFirst Home Healthcare, led by James Happ, who serves as president and CEO. If Happ’s name sounds familiar, it’s because… Read More »Backed by Harpeth Capital, Industry Veteran Launches HomeFirst Home Healthcare
Homewatch CareGivers has grown its business during the COVID-19 crisis, so much so that it has even been surprising to its own executive team. The Denver, Colorado-based home care franchise company has awarded 37 new territories in 2020, 21 of which will have new franchisees… Read More »‘I Don’t Know When It Will Slow Down’: Homewatch CareGivers Nearing 40 New Locations in 2020
Papa Inc. — the rapidly growing company that originally launched as a “grandkids-on-demand” platform to help curb senior isolation and loneliness — announced Tuesday it is rolling out a new virtual care platform known as “Papa Health.” The news marks the latest development for the… Read More »Papa Steps into the Virtual Care Arena with Launch of ‘Papa Health’
Mission Healthcare adds to executive team Mission Healthcare has made new additions to its executive leadership team. The company named JoAnn Mack its chief operating officer and Damien Weston its chief growth officer. Mission Healthcare — which has more than 600 employees — is a… Read More »Mission Healthcare Hires Two New Executives; Lifesprk Names New President
The Care Team acquires InTeliCare Private equity-backed The Care Team has acquired InTeliCare Home Health & Hospice. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Farmington Hills, Michigan-based The Care Team is a home-based care provider that delivers a variety of services including nursing,… Read More »The Care Team Expands Footprint with InTeliCare Purchase; CareFinders Buys Union Home Care
On Thursday, Fortune unveiled its annual Best Workplaces in Aging Services list. The list features several home-based care providers that made a mark when it comes to company culture. Last year, Senior Helpers and 24 Hour Home Care cracked the list’s top five. These companies… Read More »Senior Helpers, Reliant at Home, Others Crack 2020’s Best Workplaces in Aging Services List
In late November, the aging-focused advocacy organization LeadingAge wrote a note to Congress, calling for relief on behalf of the 5,500 adult day service providers across the country and the vulnerable patients they serve. “Adult day services providers across the country urgently need dedicated federal… Read More »No Funding, Closures and Limited Capacity: Adult Day Providers in Dire Need of Help
Care Finders Total Care announced Wednesday it has teamed up with LogistiCare, a non-emergency medical transportation company, to provide transportation services to caregivers working in the home. Ride-hailing giant Lyft Inc. (Nasdaq: LYFT) is also involved with the partnership. Founded in 1995, Hackensack, New Jersey-based… Read More »Care Finders, Lyft, LogistiCare Partner to Give Caregivers COVID-19 Transportation Support
Most in-home care operators and other aging services providers have tried to absorb costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. But that hasn’t always been feasible, causing the cost of care to rise substantially for consumers. That’s according to the latest annual Cost of Care Survey… Read More »Providers Attempt to Absorb COVID-19 Expenses, Keep In-Home Care Costs Down
The non-medical home care industry has slowly carved out an important position within the larger health care continuum over the past several years. It has done so thanks to the home care’s documented ability to improve health outcomes and cut costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has… Read More »Business Is Booming, But Home Care Demand Is ‘Probably at a Midpoint’
A number of national home-based care advocacy organizations have come together to address the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In a new letter penned to ACIP Chairman Dr. José Romero, the group called for the inclusion of in-home caregivers when it comes to… Read More »Hoping to Prevent Community Spread, Home-Based Care Advocates Vie for ‘Critical’ Vaccine Access
Home-based care company Prospero Health announced Tuesday it is expanding into 16 additional states to serve 8,000 new patients in 2021. That vastly increases the company’s footprint. Previously just in 10 states, the move now puts Prospero into 26 states total, allowing it to serve… Read More »Payer Credibility Helps Propel Home-Based Care Company Prospero Health into 16 New States
Holidays will look a lot different this year. In fact, half of seniors over the age of 70 don’t even plan to see family for Thanksgiving, according to a recent survey conducted by Aloe Care Health. With more families staying apart, home-based care providers are… Read More »How Home-Based Care Businesses Are Combating the Worsening ‘Senior Loneliness Epidemic’
Virtual tools have quickly turned into the preferred method of training for in-home caregivers since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency. That trend will likely continue beyond 2020 as well. That’s according to a new survey conducted by Medflyt, a HIPAA-compliant web-based workforce… Read More »In-Home Care Workers Increasingly Prefer Virtual Training
Ryan Iwamoto co-founded 24 Hour Home Care 12 years ago, right in the middle of the country’s last major recession. Now, Iwamoto and his company find themselves operating through another economic downturn, with this one caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Los Angeles-based 24 Hour Home… Read More »24 Hour Home Care’s Ryan Iwamoto: ‘We Wanted to Be the Trader Joe’s of Home Care’
Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) has taken another step toward taking over the aging-in-place space. Earlier this week, the online retail and technology giant announced it is rolling out a new health care feature through its Alexa device aimed at helping informal caregivers monitor seniors inside the… Read More »Amazon Unveils ‘Care Hub,’ a New Alexa Tool Designed for Aging in Place
After one of the closest and most hotly contested campaigns in modern history, President-Elect Joe Biden addressed the nation on Saturday from an outdoor platform in Wilmington, Delaware. While it’s far too early to say what the first 100 days of a Biden administration will… Read More »‘Our Work Begins with Getting COVID Under Control’: What a Biden Administration Means for Home-Based Care
Sky-high equipment costs and staffing shortages tied to the COVID-19 virus have made it drastically more difficult to run a profitable home care business for many operators. That’s not true for Caring People, CEO Steven East told Home Health Care News. Caring People has had… Read More »Caring People Building Its Business by ‘Reinvigorating’ Home Care Owners
The feeling around the recently expanded Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) headquarters in Frisco, Texas, is different from just three months ago. Speaking on its Q2 earnings call in August, Addus leadership said the company was in “rebounding mode,” but also not as affected by… Read More »Addus Reignites M&A Engine, Targets Home Health and Hospice Acquisitions
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Monday touted several tools designed to help states rebalance their long-term care ecosystem toward home- and community-based services. The development is the latest in a series of CMS efforts aimed at strengthening home- and community-based… Read More »Verma: Older Adults Must Have a ‘More Robust’ Set of Home Care Options
Help at Home — a Chicago-based home- and community-based services provider that operates across 13 states — has been acquired by a consortium of private equity buyers. Specifically, Centerbridge Partners and The Vistria Group are teaming up to purchase Help at Home from Wellspring Capital… Read More »Centerbridge Partners, The Vistria Group Acquire Wellspring’s Help at Home
In an effort to bolster its at-home care offerings in the San Diego market, 24 Hour Home Care has acquired Grace Care Management, another home care agency located in the area. Since its founding in 2008, Los Angeles-based 24 Hour Home Care has grown quickly… Read More »24 Hour Home Care Acquires Grace Care Management, ‘Actively’ Searching for More M&A Opportunities
Griswold adds to leadership team, board Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based Griswold Home Care has named Matt Ericksen director of sales and operations. In his new role, Ericksen will bring expertise in business development, compliance and recruitment to the team, according to the company. He was most… Read More »Griswold Continues Building Out Leadership Team; NAHC, HCAOA Announce Board Additions
Homethrive, a tech-enabled provider of non-medical care management and personal assistance services, raised an $18 million funding round. The funding round was led by venture capital firm 7wireVentures, and investment firm Pitango HealthTech. Homethrive has earmarked the new funds to be used in a number… Read More »Homethrive Raises $18M to Fuel its Expansion into Health Plans and the Self-Insured Employer Market
Throughout 2020, there have been a number of new laws and legal trends that could have major impacts on the in-home care industry. In order for providers to be successful in the long run, it’s important to remain abreast of the latest developments. That was… Read More »Lack of Stimulus Bill Could Lead to Rise in COVID-Related Lawsuits
Home-based care companies are trying to become one-stop shops for seniors wishing to age in place. That’s why, when Omaha, Nebraska-based Right at Home’s executives saw a Home Health Care News article highlighting home modification franchise TruBlue Total House Care, they dialed up its president… Read More »Right at Home Partners with Home Modification Company TruBlue to Expand Aging-in-Place Services
CareLinx is teaming up with virtual primary care provider Doctor On Demand to give high-risk seniors access to services in their homes. Burlingame, California-based CareLinx is a tech-enabled home care platform that connects seniors and their families to its nationwide network of 400,000 caregivers. The… Read More »CareLinx, Doctor On Demand Team Up to Provide Virtual Care at Home
As health care spending continues to rise, private-duty home care agencies will likely play increasingly important roles in population health management. In total, U.S. health care spending is expected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2025. Often, it’s chronic conditions, social determinants of health and functional… Read More »Private-Duty Home Care Providers Poised to Play Leading Role in Pop Health Models
M&A activity across home health, hospice and in-home care appeared to be “business as usual” at the start of 2020. COVID-19 froze the market in March, however, causing both buyers and sellers to bide their time. But dealmaking action is finally starting to heat up… Read More »M&A Experts ‘Can’t Recall a Time When Demand Has Been Higher’ in Sizzling In-Home Care Market
As home health and home care operators move toward the ninth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to take stock of what has been accomplished from a policy perspective. Many of 2020’s regulatory changes will be fleeting, but others will shape the future of… Read More »NAHC Pushing for Palliative Care, SNF-at-Home Medicare Benefits
Despite the operational and financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 virus, hardly any private-duty home care agencies plan on going out of business. Instead, most agency leaders believe they’ll actually grow their business over the next five years, both in terms of census and new… Read More »‘Without a System, You Can’t Win’: Data-Tracking Tips for Home Care Agencies
When it comes to increasing revenue, home-based care agencies will always have an advantage in the markets they serve, because they will never be capped by a room or bed count like facility-based settings. But revenue plateaus are still very common in the space and… Read More »How Home Care Agencies Can Overcome Revenue Plateaus
Over the past decade, low compensation, inadequate training and limited career advancement opportunities have weakened job quality for caregivers. That, in turn, has limited the pool of hiring candidates for home care providers. But in light of caregivers’ role amid the COVID-19 emergency, it’s more… Read More »Poor Job Quality, Low Wages Continue to Hurt Caregiver Recruitment in Home Care
Over the past few years, home care has gained more of a foothold in the larger health care continuum. One company, BrightSpring Health Services, exemplifies this evolution in the role of home care. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, BrightSpring provides a diverse array of home and… Read More »How BrightSpring Health Achieved a 48% Drop in Hospitalizations
Home care agencies and their services have always been valuable to the patients they serve. But being able to demonstrate that value to payers requires more than just patient testimonials. As the home care industry enters into an era filled with new tailwinds, including Medicare… Read More »For Home Care Agencies, Tracking ‘Total Cost of Care’ Is the Secret to Breaking into Narrow Networks
Alivia Care Inc., a new operator in the senior care space, has plans to enter the home health market. Launched at the end of September, Alivia currently provides hospice and palliative care throughout the Jacksonville, Florida, area. The company’s history is tied to Community Hospice… Read More »Recently Launched Alivia Care Plans to Enter ‘Saturated’ Home Health Market
One of the largest home care franchises in the country is teaming up with one of the nation’s largest home health providers. Chicago-based BrightStar Care signed a care coordination agreement with Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED), adding BrightStar’s agencies to Amedisys’ personal care… Read More »Amedisys Expands Personal Care Network Through New Partnership with BrightStar Care
In March, some home care agencies were gearing up for COVID-19 outbreaks in their areas, contemplating tough decisions like whether they’d accept positive cases — or do everything possible to avoid exposure. Since then, many have made the decision to take those patients. And those… Read More »Decision to Care for COVID-19 Patients Pays Off for Home Care Agencies
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is asking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure that in-home care providers have access to essential resources amid the coronavirus. Throughout the public health emergency, home health… Read More »Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Pushes for Increased PPE, Telehealth Payment for In-Home Care Providers
CareBuilders at Home — the non-medical home care division of ATC Healthcare — has announced a strategic growth plan across the U.S. The Lake Success, New York-based franchise currently has 13 locations. It is targeting to add more in Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey… Read More »‘We’re Not Providing a Luxury Service’: No-Nonsense Home Care Model Helps CareBuilders Grow Amid Economic Downturn
Caring People is staying busy on the acquisition front. In fact, the New York City-based Caring People has completed a handful of strategic deals — with a focus on care management organizations — in the last few months alone. The acquisitions consist of Acappella In… Read More »Caring People Acquires Acappella In Home Care, Aging Care and AMR Care Group
In the not-too-distant future, “the hospital” will turn into older adults’ living rooms. And non-medical home care providers will play a key role in that evolution away from brick-and-mortar facilities. That’s according to Jeff Huber, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care, an Omaha, Nebraska-based home… Read More »Home Instead Senior Care CEO: The Hospital of the Future Is Your Living Room
For years, diversion between home health providers and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) has been a big part of the industry narrative. On their end, home health providers have reworked their operations to handle more acute patients and individuals traditionally served in SNFs. Now, home-based care… Read More »The Secret to Setting Up Shop in the SNF-at-Home Space
Just one month after its original launch with venture capital company Kairos HQ, CareAcademy has expanded its caregiver job placement and training initiative. CareAcademy is a Boston-based training platform for home care professionals. The company currently serves roughly 1,000 home care clients and locations. The… Read More »HCAOA Throws Support Behind CareAcademy Program to ‘Reskill’ 1M New Caregivers by 2023
Over the years, in-home care providers have been forced to become increasingly creative when it comes to retention. One company, Royal Care, has been able to accomplish this in the hyper-competitive New York market, thanks to a unique caregiver perks program. Founded in 1995, Royal… Read More »How Royal Care Improved Its Caregiver Retention Rate to Over 90%
The home care market has been long plagued with workforce issues, with providers in the space often struggling to recruit or retain caregivers. But as the U.S. continues to see a rise in unemployment, it’s creating a new pool of job candidates. And providers are… Read More »Finding ‘Fresh Blood’: How COVID-Related Unemployment Has Created a New Class of Caregivers
The COVID-19 emergency has underscored how valuable technology can be when it comes to caring for seniors in their homes. But while home-based care providers are increasingly upping their use of various technology solutions to aid in their virtual care efforts, there is still a… Read More »Stuck in the Stone Age: 30% of Home-Based Care Providers Aren’t Using Technology Tools
Addus HomeCare Corporation (Nasdaq: ADUS) is rebounding from coronavirus-related disruption in its personal care and home health segments, company leadership noted Tuesday during a second-quarter earnings call. But the Frisco, Texas-based company also acknowledged there are still significant challenges on the horizon. “Addus had a… Read More »Addus COO: Recruiting Has Been ‘a Little Bit of a Struggle’ During COVID-19
After weeks — in some cases, months — of closures due to the coronavirus, businesses across the U.S. began reopening in early June. But by July, many of those same businesses were forced to go in the opposite direction, thanks to a national resurgence of… Read More »Home Care Companies Create New Revenue Streams by Helping Businesses Safely Reopen
Despite being on the front lines of care during the COVID-19 emergency, New York City caregivers often felt “invisible” and faced a higher risk of contracting the virus. That’s according to a study published Tuesday by JAMA Internal Medicine. As part of the study, researchers… Read More »The Forgotten Field: ‘Invisible’ Home Care Workers Seek Agency Support
Humana’s (NYSE: HUM) long-standing home- and community-based focus served the insurer well in Q2 2020 — a quarter dominated by the COVID-19 emergency. The coronavirus pushed more senior care into the home, boosting business for Louisville, Kentucky-based health insurance giant. As a result, the insurer… Read More »Humana’s Bruce Broussard: Consumer Demand for Home-Based Care Models Will Continue to Increase
Congregate living providers and home care agencies are often at odds with each other, competing over clients and which care setting is best. In recent years, the rising popularity of aging in place has often helped home care providers come out on top. But now,… Read More »New Franchise Helps Senior Living Providers Add Home Care, Creating Competition for Agencies
When the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law in March, home-based care providers were exempt from granting their workers a handful of benefits related to the coronavirus, such as extensive paid sick leave and paid time off. But on Monday, the… Read More »Court Ruling Could Prove Costly, Remove Home Care Agencies from FFCRA ‘Exemption List’
As home health leaders look to the future, the lessons learned from the COVID-19 emergency will likely continue to shape their efforts for years to come. In terms of business planning, it will likely be a long while before there’s a return to a world… Read More »Budgeting for the Future: Kindred at Home, Johns Hopkins Home Care and Always Best Care Look Ahead to 2022
For months now, home health providers have had to worry about an onslaught of new issues, from volume disruptions and personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, to cash flow problems and lack of telehealth reimbursement. One long-time stressor they haven’t had to fret about, though, is… Read More »August to Usher in Onslaught of Home Health Audits
While the Medicare Advantage (MA) home care opportunity continues to expand, cynics have been quick to criticize it. Some say the opportunity is too small to be worthwhile — and that it’s more of a trendy talking point than a viable business option for most… Read More »24 Hour Home Care Gets Candid About Logistical, Day-to-Day Aspects of MA Partnerships
Over the years, home care providers that have provided specialized care have positioned themselves to stand out among their competitors. Some providers have gone even further — tailoring care to best fit the needs of their clients’ ethnic or cultural backgrounds. One such company is… Read More »Why More Home Care Agencies Are Building Their Businesses on Culture-Based Care
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has helped home-based care providers who received less than $150,000 in loans save more than 160,000 jobs nationwide, according to data from the Small Business Administration (SBA). States such as Texas, California and Florida saw the highest number of home-based… Read More »PPP Loans Have Helped Save More Than 160K US Home-Based Care Jobs
Senior care — an increasingly important topic that’s too often overlooked on the campaign trail — is back in the spotlight. And maybe this time it will have some staying power. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has floated a sweeping new 10-year plan that… Read More »Biden Announces $775B Plan to Boost the Caregiver Economy, Support In-Home Care Providers
As hospitals continue to experience overcapacity challenges due to the COVID-19 emergency, 911 ambulance crews and community paramedics have found themselves treating more patients at home. Historically, ambulance crews and community paramedics — both of which operate in the emergency medical services (EMS) space —… Read More »Ambulance Crews and In-Home Care Providers Seek Collaboration — Not Competition
Although concrete details are largely unknown, in-home care providers remain on the lookout for the next coronavirus-related stimulus package. Specifics on a possible fifth stimulus package could be released as early as this week, policy experts believe. “I think that’s the question, whether or not… Read More »In-Home Care Providers on the Lookout for Next Stimulus Package
Home-based care providers who received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) could face unexpected expenses when it comes time to file their 2020 taxes. That is, unless the government intervenes. “Congress clearly intended that PPP funds would be nontaxable,” Leon LaBrecque — a lawyer,… Read More »PPP Tax Debate Could Cost Home-Based Care Agencies in the Long Run
Long-term care centers such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have taken the biggest hit as a result of COVID-19. More than 40% of all virus-related deaths have been tied to nursing homes, a statistic that is scaring away a large number of potential and former… Read More »UnityPoint Health Seeks Home Care Partner for New SNF-at-Home Model
Caregivers at Excel Home Care can expect a pay bump in the coming weeks. Horsham, Pennsylvania-based Excel Home Care is a non-medical personal care agency that began operating under the Help at Home umbrella in 2017. Help at Home is a Chicago-based home care company… Read More »Excel Home Care Distributing $6M in CARES Act Funds to Its Caregivers
Hospital readmission rates are one of the most important markers of success in the post-acute and long-term care spaces. But a large number of home care agencies still don’t keep track of those metrics. Overall, 75% of home care agencies did not track readmission rates… Read More »Only 25% of Home Care Agencies Track Hospital Readmission Rates
Oak Street Health — a network of value-based primary care offices for Medicare beneficiaries — has filed the initial paperwork to go public. The Chicago-based organization announced the news Friday. While Oak Street Health doesn’t provide home health care itself, its interdisciplinary care teams are… Read More »Aging-in-place Ally Oak Street Health Files to Go Public
Securing stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE), doubling down on company-wide training efforts and implementing educational initiatives are just some of the responsibilities that home care leadership teams have taken on during the COVID-19 crisis. While most home care agencies were navigating the public health… Read More »Leading During Disruption: How Synergy HomeCare’s New CEO Took Control Amid COVID-19 Chaos
While few industries have been left unscathed by the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency, the senior housing market has been one of the hardest hit. But a decline in senior housing occupancy could leave room for in-home care providers to step up and fill long-term… Read More »Record Low Senior Housing Occupancy Could Be a Boon for In-Home Care Providers
Smaller home-based care agencies could be forced to close their doors as a result of the coronavirus, creating merger-and-acquisition opportunities for larger providers in the space. However, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) adds a new layer of complexity to some of those M&A opportunities, specifically… Read More »
Pre-coronavirus, the home health and home care industries were already poised for historic consolidation, thanks to the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), rising minimum wages and other operational pressures. Industry leaders predict that the COVID-19 emergency will only drive M&A further going forward. However, home-based care… Read More »Buyer Beware: Factors Home-Based Care Providers Should Consider Before Acquiring PPP Recipients
Over the past several years, many home care agencies have invested heavily in transportation business lines to help their clients stay connected and active within their communities. The industry’s turn to transportation has been so popular, that ride services are often seen as core offerings… Read More »‘A Decrease in Need’: Home Care Agencies Face Less Profitable Transportation Lines Amid COVID-19
The coronavirus could be the match that finally sparks the Medicare Advantage (MA) boom for home care. The explosion has been a long time coming. It all started when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) first expanded the scope of MA supplemental benefits… Read More »Milliman Actuary: COVID-19 Adding Fuel to Medicare Advantage’s Home Care Fire