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Author: Alora Home Health Software

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In this edition of the ALORA Home Health news blog, fresh off the presses is a recently published article presenting information on a study of middle-schoolers in the state of Florida. This study revealed that children who are more often acting as caregivers at home, spend almost two hours per day assisting older adult family members. The Washington Post and other news outlets carried this story not too long ago.

News on CMS New Medicare Cards

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that they have completed the mailing of new Medicare cards for Waves 1, 2 and 3.  This includes:  Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  Read more:

OASIS C1 Information for Agencies

OASIS-C1 PREPAREDNESS 

As part of our commitment to keeping our blog readers informed on important developments in the Homecare industry, we would like to spend some time addressing Alora Home Health Software's OASIS-C1 preparedness as well as the upcoming changes to the CMS OASIS Data submission. This information pertains to all Medicare Certified agencies. The following information will help all Medicare Certified agencies prepare for the upcoming conversion to OASIS-C1:

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Uptick Shows Signs of A Shift

During the last five years, the overall usage nationwide of home health care and hospice services both experienced a significant uptick, with several millions of additional Medicare beneficiaries receiving care. Examining the most recent data pulled from Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B claims, there were nearly 58 million Medicare beneficiaries living in the United States in December 2017. This number was representative of a roughly 2 percentage points increase in the population compared to previous years. It is now estimated that within the next 30 years, the overall number of enrolled beneficiaries approach 93 million. These numbers offer economic opportunity for home health agencies, hospice care facilities, EVV and home health software providers, aides, and other players within the market.

House of Representatives Find Equal Ground & Pass New Hospice Bill with Support from Both Parties

 

A new bill freshly passed by the U.S House of Representatives demonstrated a rare showing of unison and bipartisanship for lawmakers in Washington, DC. The bill focused on areas of near universal agreement addressing important matters such as physician training, patient outreach, and quality of end-of-life care.

 

Outpatient Therapy Services Billing

The Global Home Healthcare Market is Predicted to Grow to Over 300 Billion Within 4 Years

 

A recent report compiling data from the U.S and around the globe indicates that by the year 2022, the global market for home health care which is inclusive of home health, private duty, companion & personal care etc, will top $300 billion U.S dollars. The scope of the report spanned a comprehensive study of local, regional and global markets, allowing for influencing factors within the market.

CMS Offers Delay of EVV Implementation for up to One Year

 

Following a lengthy period of uncertainty amidst numerous requests for clarifications and official rules, CMS (The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) has finally issued regulatory guidance on a provision which will allow states to postpone implementation of mandated EVV (Electronic Visit Verification) for a period of up to one year.

Universal, Free In-Home care Faces Key Test As Tax Based Implementation Referendum Looms In One Northeast State

 

Free In-home careJuly 2018 Home Health Blog - There are many who cite the aging population and a lack of financial flexibility for seniors as clear indicators that a national universal healthcare bill is needed; one which would include an allowance of homecare services for seniors (and others in need) as well. One northeastern state is on the cusp of passing hotly debated legislation which would draw closer to implementing a universal healthcare system which would provide free home care services for aging residents in need. A ballot initiative in Maine which would begin effect late in 2018, is drawing praise as a God send from some, while garnering ire as a scam by others.