Volume 10, Number 35 — September  15, 2021

Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

I sat in on a webinar this week that explored the growing rash of ransomware attacks on healthcare. The highlight was a surprising interview by the cyber defense expert from BrightTALK with an actual ransomware attacker in Nigeria. What struck me was how he said he got into the "business" out of desperation. It was his only means of feeding his family. He also said the tools to get into ransoming are readily available online. But wait, there's more. He revealed that many like him have gone beyond trying to get people to click on deceptive links in emails in order to get their malicious software installed on your servers. They actually target certain kinds of employees, call them on the phone, and ask their help to get their ransomware viruses installed, in exchange for a portion of the ransom. The cyber world is becoming as dangerous and unpredictable as the physical world. 

Our lead article this week picks up on what I learned from BrightTALK. Guest author Joe Dysart describes the ransomware phenomenon and summarizes the services from five cyber protection companies, complete with their contact information and basic fee structure. Click below on "Ransomware Is Targeting Healthcare - Key Defensive Software Systems to Check Out"

You may have heard about the whistleblower who filed a qui tam suit against Bayada. No? Well, it happened four years ago and concerned an accusation from three years before that but was not settled until this month. Rather than merely reprint the Department of Justice news release, we spoke with the communications staff at Bayada directly. Our report carries both. See "Bayada Settles Civil Qui Tam Lawsuit; Avoids Expensive Defense."

"Flex For Checks" Gaining Momentum

There is still time to register at FlexForChecks.com and claim some of the $125 million in federal grant funds for your agency, your staff, and your patients and clients. This is the perfect time to join the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the Home Care Association of America, several state Home Care Associations, AccentCare, HHAeXchange, Healthcare Synergy, and others who have signed on to support the National Minority Health Association, in charge of administering one of the HRSA grants.  

This is an ideal time to jump on board with Flex For Checks. CMS has issued a rule that requires all healthcare workers, including in-home caregivers and clinicians, to be vaccinated. Why not comply with the rule and get paid for it at the same time? Under the program, a caregiver who gets vaccinated can receive one of the grant's cash rewards twice for each shot, once as the employee who arranges the vaccination and once as the vaccinated. Additional rewards come to worker and agency for every shot encouraged and completed.

Vendor Watch

We are keeping an eye on tech vendors for you. Sandata announced that it has won the contract to provide EVV aggregation services for California. HHAeXchange has won a new round of funding from Hg. NeuroGlee Therapeudics also announced an infusion of $10 million in outside investment. The Boston company provides remote monitoring for Alzheimer's patients in their own homes.

Worth the Trip

We have been asked to make sure you heard that NAHC decided it just doesn't make sense to ask you to go to New Orleans next month. In a letter expressing great concern for the people of that city battered by two recent hurricanes and by hospitals overflowing with unvaccinated COVID patients, Bill Dombi announced that it may be delayed rather than canceled. We will let you know as soon as we hear about a new date. Read Bill's letter here.

The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice will hold its annual conference virtually on September 28-29. Colorado still plans to welcome its members to the Keystone Resort, October 11-12. I will be speaking at both of these events. Scroll down for details. Ankota is offering a free sales training webinar this afternoon at 3:00 EDT, with Steve "The Hurricane" Weiss. Sorry for the late notice, but you can still register and attend if you hurry. Details below.

Have a great week. Get vaccinated and keep making a difference!

CMS News: Get Vaccinated, or Else!
HHS & CMS to expand vaccination requirements for health care settings.

Ransomware Is Targeting Healthcare - Key Defensive Software Systems to Check Out
Ransomware is on the rise. Healthcare businesses are popular targets. Guest author Joe Dysart introduces five companies with strategic defense products and services.

Bayada Settles Civil Qui Tam Lawsuit; Avoids Expensive Defense
Qui tam whistleblower to receive $3 million.

CMS News: Additional COVID Emergency Funds for Healthcare Providers
HHS Announces the Availability of $25.5 Billion in COVID-19 Provider Funding. Combined application for American Rescue Plan rural funding and Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 will open on September 29.

Vendor Watch
— Sandata wins California EVV contract.
— Neuroglee Therapeutics closes Series A Round to advance remote Alzheimer's treatment in the home
— HHAeXchange welcomes new investor, Hg