News
CVS pushes further into health care delivery, acquiring primary care company for $10.6B
February 8, 2023HME News Staff
WOONSOCKET, R.I. – CVS Health will acquire Oak Street Health, a leading multi-payer, value-based primary care company focused on older adults, in an all-cash transaction at $39 per share, representing an enterprise value of approximately $10.6 billion.
“Combining Oak Street Health’s platform with CVS Health’s unmatched reach will create the premier value-based primary care solution,” said CVS Health President and CEO Karen S. Lynch. “Enhancing our value-based...
DOJ recoups $2.2B under False Claims Act
February 8, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act exceeded $2.2 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Department of Justice.
The government and whistleblowers were party to 351 settlements and judgments, the second-highest number of settlements and judgments in a single year. Recoveries since 1986, when Congress substantially strengthened the civil False Claims Act, now total more than $72 billion.
“Protecting taxpayer dollars...
Off to the races: ‘We need to do more work in the Senate’
February 3, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – With a new Congress in session, AAHomecare has begun the work of relationship building as the HME industry seeks to advance reimbursement relief and other priorities.
Despite a delay in getting the 118th Congress seated – on Jan. 7, instead of Jan. 3 – Jay Witter was able to connect with about 20 offices in early January, speaking directly with lawmakers that have either helped the industry already or could be helpful in the future, he said during a recent...
In brief: PHE ends, CMS audits Medicare Advantage, CQRC calls for safeguards
February 3, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has announced that the public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023.
Under the last declaration in January, the PHE was set to end on April 11.
“The advance notice goes beyond HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s previous guidance to health care stakeholders that the agency would provide at least 60 days advance notice before ending the PHE,” AAHomecare noted in a bulletin.
Knowing when the PHE will end gives industry...
CQRC calls for safeguards to home respiratory access
February 2, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care, is calling on the federal government to implement policies to ensure patients do not experience barriers to maintaining access to home oxygen, sleep and non-invasive ventilator therapy due to new paperwork requirements that are set to take effect when the COVID-19 public health emergency ends on May 11.
“The public health emergency declaration went a long way towards ensuring the more than 1.5 million patients who rely on...
PHE will end in May
January 31, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has announced that the public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023.
Under the last declaration in January, the PHE was set to end on April 11.
“The advance notice goes beyond HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s previous guidance to health care stakeholders that the agency would provide at least 60 days advance notice before ending the PHE,” AAHomecare noted in a bulletin.
Knowing when the PHE will end gives industry...
CMS set to expand Medicare Advantage audits
January 31, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has published a final rule in the Federal Register that codifies in regulation that, as part of the Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) program, the agency will extrapolate audit findings beginning with payment year 2018.
“Protecting Medicare is one of my highest responsibilities as secretary, and this commonsense rule is a critical accountability measure that strengthens the Medicare Advantage program,” said Xavier Becerra, secretary...
Stakeholders push for Medicaid rate reform
January 27, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – As part of a new national campaign, AAHomecare is asking industry stakeholders to use the recent CPI-U adjustments to the Medicare fee schedule as a talking point with state Medicaid programs to increase their rates.
CMS in December published a fee schedule reflecting 6.4% to 9.1% CPI-U adjustments, prompting AAHomecare to develop a template letter that stakeholders can personalize and share with state Medicaid programs to help provide a “rationale” for...
In brief: F&P’s expectations, insulin affordability, Power 500 list
January 27, 2023HME News Staff
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Fisher & Paykel Healthcare expects full year operating revenue for the 2023 financial year to be within the range of about $1.55 billion to $1.6 billion, the company announced on Jan. 19.
In F&P’s Homecare Product Group, sales of obstructive sleep apnea masks have remained strong, said Lewis Gradon, managing director and CEO.
“Our mask sales growth rate is currently tracking above that of our first half as global supply of CPAP hardware...
Report: Insulin cap to generate millions in savings for Medicare beneficiaries
January 26, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – If the Inflation Reduction Act’s provision capping the cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply had been in place in 2020, 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries across the country would have saved an average of $500, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Starting July 1, under Medicare Part B, beneficiary cost sharing will be limited to $35 for a month’s supply of insulin, which will result in an estimated $27...