Volume 10, Number 44 — December  8, 2021

Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

Before summarizing this week's news, we have a couple of newsworthy announcements, and maybe an opinion or two.

While the fate of COVID vaccination mandates ping pongs about in courts, overwhelming evidence remains clear that sending unvaccinated caregivers into patient homes is a terrible idea. The CDC reported recently that the infection rates per 100,000 individuals were six to ten times higher among unvaccinated people compared with vaccinated people of the same age group. Since the arrival of the Delta variant, the unvaccinated have been filling hospital beds at an alarming rate. Except in rare cases where other health issues are a factor, vaccinated people in all age groups experience mild, cold-like symptoms and are rarely hospitalized. 

We have been telling you about a federal grant program, "Flex For Checks," that pays home care agencies, their workers, and their patients/clients a modest cash reward for every COVID shot received and registered with the program, whether by a client or an employee. Though the successful program is on schedule to exhaust its grant funds early next year, there is still time to take advantage of it. Those in the best position to gather remaining funds are home care agencies already participating but who still have staff and patients/clients that have either not been vaccinated or who have received the shot but have not yet registered it. In other words, "time's a wastin'," get busy!

If it is inspiration you need, consider the efforts of a participant in Florida whom we will call TW. She took the grant program seriously and has registered so many vaccinations in her community that Flex For Checks has sent her over $25,000 to date.

We have also been paying attention to certain legislations being proposed in Washington. The Choose Home Care Act of 2021, S. 2562/H.R. 1544 is a cost-effective, patient preferred, home-based, extended care benefit as a supplement to the existing home health benefit. It promises to support patients to leave the hospital and recover at home with a mix of expanded skilled nursing, therapy, personal care, telehealth services and more. Just as importantly, it is predicted to reduce Medicare spending. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice and the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare are backing the bill, which is receiving bi-partisan support in the House and Senate. Both urge you to help by contacting your own elected officials.

We are also keeping a close eye on the Build Back Better Act. Whatever your political position on government spending, this bill does include $150 billion (over 10 years) for in-home care. Coupled with the end of supplemental unemployment payments, this assistance to allow agencies to offer higher hourly wages could mean an influx of applicants next year. States must increase spending in order to receive matching federal funds, so, if it passes, you will need to write your Medicaid officials and state legislators. This potential good news comes with a warning, however. Resist the impulse to hire indiscriminately. It will still cost you between $2,000 and $4,000 every time you hire the wrong person, the ones who disappear after orientation and training. There is a way to mitigate this loss; we will be talking about it extensively next year. 

Now to the News

Netsmart is hosting an important, free webinar on December 15. Experts from the National Association for the Support of Long-Term Care will present their view of the future of the entire Post-Acute Care sector. Click on the headline below for registration details.

A new provider of only in-home physical therapy services is rapidly growing from its origins in California to 22 states so far, with more to come. They bill through Medicare Part B and have referral relationships with health systems and orthopedic groups. Are they a potential partner? Competitor? You decide after reading our interview with one of the founders of "Luna Physical Therapy."

Another provider that is expanding across the country, from its home in Atlanta to the Pacific coast. The Braff Group just announced it has facilitated the acquisition of a major California Medicare, MediCal, and Private Duty provider by Aveanna, the company formed only four years ago through the merger of PSA Healthcare and Epic Health Services. This was not Aveanna's first acquisition, nor will it be its last.

Have a great week. Keep making a difference!

Aveanna Healthcare Acquires Accredited Home Care
Braff Group facilitates another major home care acquisition.

Airrosti and Luna Partner to Improve Access for Musculoskeletal Care
Growing out-patient, in-home PT provider may be Home Health partner...or competitor.

NASL Experts Plan Free Webinar on Future of Post-Acute Care
"2022 Long-Term & Post-Acute Care Industry Outlook: NASL Experts Chart the Path Ahead" to be presented by Netsmart, December 15.