WiAHC is happy to remind members about and provide links to the latest articles and information on the home health care industry from Home Health Care News and other publications:

·         Cigna To Shed Certain Prior Authorization Requirements, May Benefit Home-Based Care Providers

Home Health Care News – By Patrick Filbin |Aug. 24, 2023

In an attempt to lower administrative burden, Cigna Healthcare — the health insurance arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) — announced that it is removing nearly 25% of medical services from its prior authorization requirements. Broadly, prior authorization is the process that occurs when a health care provider requests a patient to receive a specific service, medication or procedure. The health insurance company then has to give the go-ahead. Read more…

·         New Home-Based Care Worker Recruitment Program Includes Incentives, Plans For Nationwide Expansion

Home Health Care News – By Patrick Filbin |Aug. 22, 2023

Over the next few years, hundreds of thousands of home care workers will be needed to meet demand. In order to meet that demand in the Badger State, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and state health officials are hoping to certify 10,000 new home care aides through a new online certification program. The program includes a $500 bonus for individuals who become certified and remain employed for six months. Read more…

·         Report: HCBS Utilization Remains High, But Varies Drastically By State

Home Health Care News – By Andrew Dolan |Aug. 15, 2023

A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation shines further light on how popular home- and community-based services (HCBS) are in the U.S. It also makes clear how much cheaper HCBS delivery is for states in comparison to institutional-based care. Read more…

·         Home-Based Care Providers Break Down ‘Unintended Consequences’ Of CMS’ Proposed Medicaid Rule

Home Health Care News – By Patrick Filbin |Aug. 14, 2023

A proposed rule from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – which would require at least 80% of Medicaid reimbursement for home- and community-based services go toward worker compensation – received over 2,100 submissions during its public comment period. Many of the comments included gratitude and appreciation for CMS regarding its efforts to enhance the HCBS workforce. But concerns persist over how the rule would affect HCBS providers across the country. Read More…

·         CMS Allows States To Extend PHE-Era Flexibilities For HCBS

Home Health Care News – By Patrick Filbin |Aug. 3, 2023

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended a COVID-19 pandemic-era waiver that will allow home- and community-based service (HCBS) providers to take advantage of flexibilities in their state programs. The Appendix K waiver allowed HCBS providers more wiggle room during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS introduced the waiver to support states in responding to the unique challenges brought on by the public health emergency. Read More…

Home Health Care News, which is part of the Aging Media Network, is a leading source for news and information covering the home health care industry.