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Home Health Care Software Tag

National Shortage of Home Care Workers Drives Agencies to Recruit Retired, Aged Workers 

Agencies & organizations providing home health and home care in the U.S have felt the brunt of a growing shortage of able and qualified workers at an increasing pace over the last few years. With competition from other more lucrative industries siphoning off younger freshly educated potential workers, Home Health agencies have been turning to a seemingly unlikely source, in retired workers. While many of these workers may carry higher associated costs such as healthcare of their own, the level of skill, patient care, and professionalism has driven many home health care organizations to increase recruitment from this pool of the former fulltime workforce.

Home health is a dynamic industry that requires constant review of regulations changes.  In 2018 the industry experienced a major update to the Conditions of Participation including revisions to the plan of care and comprehensive assessments. So far 2019 has brought a fairly high level of arguably drastic changes. In this article we will highlight some of those changes,  and where relevant point out any direct impact to your Home Health Software or your agency’s operations as whole.

What Agencies Should Know About the OASIS-D Changes Effective January 1st 2019

 

Alora is committed to keeping home health professionals informed about regulatory changes that affect your businesses, patients, and staff. With December right around the corner, many are preparing for the January first, 2019 implementation date for OASIS-D.

Hospitals and Homecare Agencies...

Homecare agency owners small and large have recently had good reason for optimism over a provision in the health care reform bill related to the home care industry’s opportunity with hospitals. Thanks to a provision in health care reform legislation that penalizes hospitals that fail to reduce their hospitalization rates for three specific diagnoses, Homecare agencies have the opportunity to be more than just a provider. They can actually come to the rescue of hospitals and develop mutually advantageous relationships that keep the hospital in compliance, and increase business for the Home care agency.

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:

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.

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.