BREAKING NEWS: Health (2)

New copper detection tool may lead to lung cancer treatment breakthrough

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:55:13 +0000

The Chang Lab at Princeton Chemistry continues in its mission to elucidate the role of metal nutrients in human biology: last year, iron; this year, copper.

Genomic insights and new treatment paradigms related to HER2-low breast cancer

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:50:01 +0000

A new review was published in Oncotarget's Volume 16 on January 20, 2025, titled "Evolving concepts in HER2-low breast cancer: Genomic insights, definitions, and treatment paradigms."

New air-liquid interface method enhances hair follicle formation in skin organoids

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:46:12 +0000

For decades, creating human skin models with physiological relevance has been a persistent challenge in dermatological research.

Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO could millions of people in poorer countries

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:43:30 +0000

Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) puts the lives of millions of people in poorer countries at risk, according to analysts, who say other nations must step up and invest in health to plug the gap.

U.S. mosquito species show minimal risk of spreading Oropouche virus, study finds

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:41:00 +0000

US mosquito species exhibit minimal competence for transmitting Oropouche virus (OROV), with low infection and transmission rates across tested populations, suggesting limited potential for local outbreaks despite rising imported cases.

Brain signals involved in reward learning may hold key to personalized depression treatments

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:35:27 +0000

In a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute scientists Pearl Chiu and Brooks Casas investigate how brain signals involved in reward learning might help personalize depression treatment.

Study identifies new molecular target for treating keloids

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:30:10 +0000

Keloids are fibrotic scars that extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound, often causing physical disfigurement and emotional distress.

Diagnostic guidelines released for limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:27:22 +0000

New guidelines will help doctors identify patients with a common memory-loss syndrome that is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease in older adults.

Study reveals how gut bacteria influence immune cell training and inflammation

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:23:06 +0000

A study led by David Sancho at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid reveals how an increase in intestinal permeability allows the natural gut bacteria to cross the intestinal barrier and reach the bone marrow, where they induce epigenetic changes-modifications that alter gene activity without affecting DNA sequence-in the stem cells that give rise to immune cells.

AI model predicts blood transfusion needs in ICU patients

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:18:19 +0000

Researchers at Emory University have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of accurately predicting the likelihood of blood transfusion in non-traumatic intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Promising New Therapy Emerges For Children With Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 23:06:33 +0000

Treating conditions like AFM requires a high level of pediatric neurology and rehabilitation expertise.

BrightSpring To Divest Community Living Business to Sevita

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 19:29:52 +0000

BrightSpring Health Services (Nasdaq: BTSG) has entered into an agreement to divest its community living business to Sevita for $835 million in cash.

“In Sevita, we are pleased to partner with a new owner with extensive experience in the I/DD industry, who is well-suited to continue to provide compassionate care to the community living client population,” BrightSpring President and CEO Jon Rousseau said in a statement. “With enhanced combined processes, technology, and overall capabilities, there are opportunities to share proven and innovative approaches that should advance possibilities for all constituents in this market. I believe both organizations will significantly benefit from amplified focus on core markets.”

Based in Louisville, BrightSpring delivers care to patients at home and in the community. The company focuses on complex populations, offering primary care, home- and community-based services, pharmacy services and rehab services to over 400,000 consumers throughout 50 states. In 2019, private equity firm KKR purchased BrightSpring for $1.32 billion.

Upon completion of the transaction, BrightSpring’s services lines will include home health, hospice, personal care, rehabilitation services and primary care.

On its end, Sevita delivers home and community-based care for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and individuals with complex care needs. The company serves 50,000 individuals in 40 states.

The agreement to divest ResCare Community Living to Sevita is slated to close this year. ResCare Community generated roughly $1.2 billion in revenue and $128 million of adjusted EBITDA in 2024.

“Sevita and ResCare Community Living share a deep commitment to providing quality community-based health care and improving the lives of those who rely on us every day,” Philip Kaufman, CEO of Sevita, said in the statement. “We look forward to welcoming ResCare Community Living’s talented and experienced team to Sevita. Together, we will be positioned to support more people in need of these impactful services, deploy learnings and best practices from both organizations, and make continued investments in our homes, service delivery and technology – all with the goal of enhancing the lives of the individuals that we are privileged to serve.”

Jefferies analysts described the decision to divest as a positive move and expect the company’s stock to re-rate upward.

“Investors have long lamented the complexity of BTSG’s mix of business lines and have pointed to the ResCare community living segment as the ‘odd one out’ or ‘the one that doesn’t belong’ in the portfolio,” analysts wrote. “Also, investors viewed ResCare’s lower growth as a drag to the company’s enterprise-level valuation. Given these factors, we view the announcement of ResCare’s sale very positively.”

The post BrightSpring To Divest Community Living Business to Sevita appeared first on Home Health Care News.

Exposure to stress during early pregnancy affects offspring into adulthood

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 18:02:03 +0000

Maternal stress hormone levels during early pregnancy can have a lasting effect on the stress system of the offspring. The results of a long-term study on wild Assamese macaques in Thailand indicate that maternal stress in the first half of pregnancy is particularly relevant. Elevated stress hormones later during pregnancy or after birth did not have the same effects. The long-term study provides important insights into the influence of early life stages on the development of the stress system under natural environmental conditions.

Fighting experience plays key role in brain chemical's control of male aggression

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:56:15 +0000

Like humans, mice will compete over territory and mates, and show increased confidence in their fighting skills the more they win. At first, a brain chemical called dopamine is essential for young males to master this behavior. But as they gain experience, the chemical grows less important in promoting aggression, a new study shows.

Research shows PTSD, anxiety may affect reproductive health of women firefighters

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:55:19 +0000

Investigators found negative mental health conditions among women firefighters may reduce levels of key hormone associated with ovarian reserve.

How Home Health Agencies Can Adapt To TEAM and HHVBP Models

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:23:52 +0000

The landscape of home health care is evolving through the introduction of two key models designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs: the expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model and the Targeted Episode-Based Medicare Access and Payment (TEAM) model.

These initiatives incentivize home health agencies to provide high-quality, coordinated care while addressing the challenges associated with insufficient treatment for chronic health conditions. Ultimately, they aim to create a more efficient health care system for Medicare beneficiaries.

The primary model currently impacting home health providers is the expanded HHVBP model, according to ATI Advisory. This model adjusts Medicare payments based on a home health agency’s (HHA) performance on quality measures compared to their peers, rewarding agencies that deliver high-quality care.

In a fee-for-service health system, Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for home health care often receive inadequate and uncoordinated care for their chronic health conditions, according to ATI Advisory. This situation leads to increased emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions or placements in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

How the expanded HHVBP model affects HHAs

The expanded HHVBP model aims to improve the quality and efficiency of home health care. It was implemented on Jan. 1, 2022, and includes Medicare-certified HHAs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The calendar year 2022 served as a pre-implementation year during which CMS provided HHAs with resources and training. The first full performance year was 2023, and the calendar year 2025 is the first year for payment adjustments based on performance in 2023.

The expanded HHVBP model builds on the success of the original model, which improved total performance scores among home health agencies by an average of 4.6%, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The original model also decreased unnecessary ED visits, improved patient mobility and reduced Medicare spending by $141 million.

“The expanded HHVBP model seeks to enhance the quality and efficiency of home health care across the nation, improving patients’ experiences with their care through better support of physical function and addressing health issues to prevent ED visits,” a CMS spokesperson told Home Health Care News. “This expanded model builds upon the original model’s success. In the original model, targeted quality improvement activities by HHAs resulted in reductions in unplanned acute care hospitalizations and SNF stays, ultimately lowering inpatient and SNF spending. Based on the success of the original model, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the CMS chief actuary decided to expand the HHVBP model to further reduce Medicare spending and enhance the quality of care.”

The current measure set for the expanded HHVBP model uses data reported by HHAs through the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP), Medicare claims and Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys. To ease the reporting burden, HHAs are not required to submit additional data.

“For Medicare-certified HHAs with sufficient data, CMS will apply a reduction or increase of up to 5% to an HHA’s Medicare fee-for-service payments based on their performance relative to their peers in the same cohort,” the spokesperson said. “The expanded model incentivizes Medicare-certified HHAs to provide higher quality and more efficient care to beneficiaries within the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System.”

How TEAM affects HHAs

The TEAM model also significantly impacts home health care agencies by promoting a coordinated, team-based approach to patient care. This approach can lead to improved quality, reduced costs and better patient outcomes for complex post-acute care needs, particularly through enhanced communication and collaboration among health care providers involved in a patient’s care plan.

The TEAM model encourages home health agencies to closely collaborate with other health care providers, such as hospitals, specialists and social workers, to ensure seamless transitions of care and coordinated management of patients, especially those with multiple chronic conditions.

“TEAM is a continuation of many efforts we’ve seen before, including HHVBP, which emphasizes delivering more care at home and holding providers accountable for their outcomes, including readmissions—this is a common metric across all programs,” Brian Fuller, managing director at ATI Advisory told HHCN. “What makes TEAM different is its mandatory nature, which brings together providers with varying degrees of experience and capability. This could present both opportunities and challenges for home health providers.”

Not only is the TEAM model mandatory, but it is also available in 188 markets across 741 hospitals, representing 20% to 25% of all markets nationally.

“The scale is impactful for the industry, and many home health providers will likely feel its effects more broadly than ever before. For many of these providers, this may be their first experience responding to an HHVBP model with all the associated expectations and opportunities that come with it,” Fuller added.

How home health can adapt to TEAM

For home health agencies to successfully implement the TEAM model, they must focus on developing a collaborative, interdisciplinary team approach. This means that all team members— such as nurses, therapists, social workers and home health aides—must work together to provide comprehensive patient care in a home setting. It is essential to maintain clear communication, establish shared goals and define specific roles for each team member while actively involving the patient and their family in the care plan.

“In TEAM, selected acute care hospitals will coordinate care for individuals with traditional Medicare who are undergoing one of the surgical procedures included in the model, and assume responsibility for the cost and quality of care from surgery through the first 30 days after the Medicare beneficiary is discharged from the hospital,” said the CMS spokesperson. “HHAs can play a crucial role in the 30 days following a patient’s hospital discharge. Specifically, HHAs may partner with acute care hospitals in the model to support the coordination and transition of care for patients. This collaboration reinforces patient continuity of care and promotes positive long-term health outcomes.”

HHAs need to define distinct roles for each health care professional on the team, specifying their contributions to patient care based on their expertise and licensure.

Regular communication among all team members is vital to quality patient care. This should include frequent meetings, quick updates, detailed documentation and effective use of technology to share patient information. Leveraging telehealth technology can facilitate remote connections among team members, enable patient monitoring and provide virtual consultations when necessary.

“Hospitals don’t seamlessly connect to what happens outside of their four walls, and so things like the sharing of information, making sure the most accurate information about patients is available to everyone involved in their care, connecting to follow-up appointments is a challenge,” Fuller said. “Anything that the home health agency can do to help take some of the load of being the care coordination quarterback off the hospital is valuable. Technology becomes a core enabler to that data sharing and exchange.”

The care plan should revolve around the patient’s needs and preferences. It is important to actively involve the patient and their family members in the decision-making process, ensuring they understand the treatment plan and can effectively assist with daily activities.

Caregivers also should conduct a thorough assessment of the patient’s home environment to identify potential safety hazards and customize the care plan to fit the home setting. It is also essential to connect patients with necessary community resources, such as transportation, meal delivery and support groups, to address social determinants of health.

The post How Home Health Agencies Can Adapt To TEAM and HHVBP Models appeared first on Home Health Care News.

Former Home Care Agency Owner Charged With $1 Million Medicaid Fraud

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:41:49 +0000

Tina Bell, the owner of the now-defunct Superior Health Inc., has been charged with Medicaid fraud and endangering vulnerable individuals under her care.

Although licensed as a home care agency offering non-medical care, Bell operated shared-care homes where Medicaid recipients resided. She submitted claims for medical care by misrepresenting the qualifications of the caregivers and the locations where the care was provided.

Superior Health was a home care business based in Erie, Pennsylvania, which provided personal care services to clients.

Bell faces multiple charges, including theft by deception, receiving stolen property, Medicaid fraud, tampering with public records and neglecting a care-dependent person.

An investigation by Pennsylvania’s Office of the Attorney General revealed that Bell allegedly received more than $1 million in Medicaid funds for services that either did not occur or where inadequate care was provided, both of which endangered vulnerable individuals. Additionally, she allegedly falsified paperwork during state officials’ audits to maintain her fraudulent activities, which were at risk of detection.

“The defendant allegedly put patients at risk while providing subpar care and services, and defrauded a system designed to help the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement.

The investigation also found that Bell failed to provide adequate staffing and care, including directing an unlicensed individual to perform nursing duties.

Furthermore, during an audit by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bell allegedly falsified records to conceal serious deficiencies, such as understaffing, lack of mandatory training and failure to conduct required health screenings for employees. She is also accused of generating false medical and financial documentation to support her fraudulent claims for payment.

Bell’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31.

The post Former Home Care Agency Owner Charged With $1 Million Medicaid Fraud appeared first on Home Health Care News.

Using machine learning to predict how people diagnosed with major depressive disorder respond to treatment

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:00:03 +0000

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest in everyday activities, appetite changes, sleep disturbances and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Millions of individuals worldwide have experienced a depressive episode throughout the course of their lives and reached out to psychiatrists seeking treatment.

Meditation, art and nature: Neuroimaging reveals distinct patterns of brain activation

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:30:01 +0000

Past research suggests that meditation and exposure to art or nature can positively impact people's well-being and brain health, in some cases even reducing stress and supporting the processing of emotions. Yet most past studies focused on each of these experiences individually, rather than comparing their effects on brain activity.

Struggling To Sleep Due To Stress? Doc Shares Tips To Calm Your Mind Before Bed

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:42:08 +0000

According to a sleep specialist the secret to calming your mind before sleep is not avoiding these thoughts, but addressing them during a scheduled "worry time"

Excess Weight In This Body Area May Raise Cancer Risk Even If You Exercise Regularly

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:03:51 +0000

A recent study suggests that it may not just be a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), but excess weight in a specific area of the body, that could increase cancer risk, even for those who exercise regularly.

Man's Speech Struggle Initially Dismissed As Laryngitis Was Stage 4 Cancer, Given 6 Months To Live

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:05:45 +0000

The man, who had been told for months that there was nothing to worry about regarding his speech struggles, was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer nearly a year after the symptoms first appeared.

Recommendations for studying the impact of AI on young people's mental health

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 02:05:22 +0000

Experts highlight the need for a clear framework when it comes to AI research, given the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by children and adolescents using digital devices to access the internet and social media.

Can DNA-nanoparticle motors get up to speed with motor proteins?

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 02:05:10 +0000

DNA-nanoparticle motors are exactly as they sound: tiny artificial motors that use the structures of DNA and RNA to propel motion by enzymatic RNA degradation. Essentially, chemical energy is converted into mechanical motion by biasing the Brownian motion. The DNA-nanoparticle motor uses the 'burnt-bridge' Brownian ratchet mechanism. In this type of movement, the motor is being propelled by the degradation (or 'burning') of the bonds (or 'bridges') it crosses along the substrate, essentially biasing its motion forward.

New study uncovers key mechanism behind learning and memory

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 23:02:48 +0000

A breakthrough study sheds new light on how brain cells relay critical information from their extremities to their nucleus, leading to the activation of genes essential for learning and memory.

Finding The Right Payer Mix Key to ‘Fiscal Resilience’ in Home Care

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:35:38 +0000

This article is a part of your HHCN+ Membership

As home care leaders look to the rest of 2025, they are considering how their current payer mix will impact their organizations and leaning into the business opportunities that will move them forward.

At Home Assist Health, the current payer mix is roughly 80% Medicaid, about 15% Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities and 5% private pay.

Sara Wilson, CEO of Home Assist Health, said she believes that a diverse payer mix is important for maintaining fiscal resilience. It’s also a method to ensure that the company is meeting community needs, she said during a recent Home Health Care News 2025 Outlook webinar.

“There are more and more pathways to accessing care, so to be a good partner and make sure those pathways can be used, we would like to be a place that offers that option,” Wilson said. “We are actively pursuing new contracts for our community health worker services, which would be a new funding source for us. Currently, it’s been largely funded through grants.”

Home Assist Health is a home-based care provider that provides a variety of care services, such as personal care, housekeeping and respite care.

The company is also looking to establish a home health licensure this year, in order to offer more of a one-stop-shop care service.

“We are looking at diversifying, as a means to ensure we’re able to move our mission and purpose forward, as we go through all the changes in the industry,” Wilson said.

For Cypress HomeCare Solutions, a large portion of its payer mix is private pay. The company’s current payer sits at 90% private pay and 10% Medicaid.

Cypress is also VA approved and is currently working on developing this side of the business, according to Bob Roth, co-founder and managing partner of the company.

“I think many home care companies see the value in serving our veterans, so we’re looking to expand in that area as well,” he said during the webinar.

Founded in 1994, Cypress is a home-based care company that offers personal care, dementia programs and more.

Despite making moves to build out its VA business, Cypress plans to remain bullish on private pay.

“We want to stay on the private pay side,” Roth said. “We’re just reimagining it, and trying to figure out how to deliver care differently, in the sense of utilizing tech and innovation. People want to stay at home. We’ve got to reimagine care and figure out how to do it and do it differently, rather than taking a square peg and pushing it down a round hole.”

Still, Roth is anticipating the challenges that may come with sticking to a largely private pay reimbursement structure. He believes that the biggest pain will be cost.

Between 2019 and 2025, the cost of services at Cypress went up more than 40%.

“It’s not just for Cypress — it’s across the board,” Roth said. “Labor costs are really high. We need to be cognizant of the cost of our services.”

One of the ways the company is addressing this is by incorporating machine learning.

“We’ve saved between 120-250 human hours a month,” Roth said. “How are we doing that? We’re utilizing machine learning to do a lot of the repetitive tasks, and the redundancies that are done by humans.”

Aside from solidifying reimbursement structures, Wilson and Roth are also identifying the best business opportunities for their companies.

One of the biggest opportunities Home Assist Health has set its sights on is evolving from being a preventative care partner to a more proactive care partner.

“A lot of us are familiar with care plans and individualized care plans, but being a proactive care partner is looking at care in a more dynamic way,” Wilson said. “We’re looking at more person centered care plans. How do we involve ourselves with social determinants of health? How are we really getting at the root of the issue to drive meaningful health outcome changes, such as reducing unnecessary emergency department visits? How do we deflect unnecessary or unplanned hospitalizations? There very much is a role for that in home care.”

Wilson said she believes that home care is well positioned to take on these roles because home care workers are “boots on the ground.”

“We are in the perfect position to be able to help preempt and take an intervention to improve the experience, not only in their life, but their overall health outcome,” Wilson said.

In terms of opportunities, Cypress has fully embraced participating in the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) payment model.

“We are contracted with two really big health care providers here in our state, doing the GUIDE program,” Roth said. “We’ve got another one coming up in 2025. I see that as a really good indication of where we’re going.”

Looking ahead, Roth indicated that the industry will benefit from collaboration with peers.

“There’s so much business out there for all of us,” he said. “This is an industry where people have a lot of empathy and they work together, and I think together, we’re going to accomplish some really great things.”

The post Finding The Right Payer Mix Key to ‘Fiscal Resilience’ in Home Care appeared first on Home Health Care News.

Scientists identify neurons in mice that, once activated, can change body's metabolic rate, induce hibernation-like state

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:23:39 +0000

A new study has identified a group of neurons that, when activated, can induce a hypometabolic state, akin to hibernation. The discovery could have far-reaching implications for conditions like obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, and even for space travel. The research team found that these neurons regulate key aspects of the brain-heart-gut axis.

New paper creates roadmap for the next generation of bioelectronic medicine

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:23:36 +0000

A new paper led by Professor Imanuel Lerman of UC San Diego provides a review of the field of bioelectronic medicine and the most promising opportunities for life-changing new therapies and diagnostics.

Simplified redesign of proteins to improve ligand binding

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:23:29 +0000

The ability to alter proteins to refine control over binding affinity and specificity can create tailored therapeutics with reduced side effects, highly sensitive diagnostic tools, efficient biocatalysis, targeted drug delivery systems and sustainable bioremediation solutions. However, various approaches to such protein redesign have time-consuming drawbacks. Researchers now offer a simplified method they call ProteinReDiff that uses artificial intelligence to speed the redesign of ligand-binding proteins.

Building sentence structure may be language-specific

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:21:08 +0000

Do speakers of different languages build sentence structure in the same way? In a neuroimaging study, scientists recorded the brain activity of participants listening to Dutch stories. In contrast to English, sentence processing in Dutch was based on a strategy for predicting what comes next rather than a 'wait-and-see' approach, showing that strategies may differ across languages.

Seeing the unseen: New method reveals 'hyperaccessible' window in freshly replicated DNA

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:20:43 +0000

A team has unearthed new findings about what happens during the minutes and hours after a cell divides, expanding our understanding of human biology -- and potentially leading to better medicines.

LLCP Acquires Synergy HomeCare, Poised For Growth

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:09:54 +0000

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) has acquired Synergy HomeCare.

Synergy, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, offers many non-medical in-home services. These include personal care, companion care, and specialized care for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions or those recovering from illness or surgery. The company has more than 240 franchises operating in approximately 550 territories across 42 states.

The executive team, including CEO Charlie Young, will continue leading Synergy HomeCare.

“We are excited to have LLCP’s expertise in supporting and successfully growing franchised businesses like ours, along with a shared vision for the future as we fulfill our mission to provide world-class care at home for everyone,” CEO Charlie Young said in a press release. “Our key priorities remain growth-oriented. This includes opening new markets, optimizing the operations of our existing franchisees, enhancing our service offerings and expanding access to professional in-home care for more people.”

This acquisition marks LLCP’s 17th investment in franchising, encompassing 31 brands. Previous investments have included in-home care concepts such as Senior Helpers and Caring Brands.

“Synergy is one of the fastest-growing nationally scaled franchisors in the in-home care industry, having led the sector in territory growth in recent years,” Greg Flaster, managing director at LLCP said in a press release. “With a wide array of non-medical in-home care services for patients and valuable tools provided to franchisees, we believe Synergy is uniquely positioned to benefit from the favorable trends in the industry. We are excited to capitalize on these opportunities and look forward to supporting the company in this next chapter of success.”

The post LLCP Acquires Synergy HomeCare, Poised For Growth appeared first on Home Health Care News.

'Unprecedented' level of control allows person without use of limbs to operate virtual quadcopter

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 18:01:41 +0000

A brain-computer interface, surgically placed in a research participant with tetraplegia, paralysis in all four limbs, provided an unprecedented level of control over a virtual quadcopter -- just by thinking about moving his unresponsive fingers.

HKU research identifies PICH protein as key player in preventing chromosome breakage linked to cancer

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 18:01:38 +0000

Researchers have made an exciting discovery about how human cells protect DNA during cell division, offering new insights into combating diseases such as cancer. The research uncovers the vital role of a protein called PICH in preventing genetic errors that can lead to diseases such as cancer.

Shorter, smarter, safer: Short-course antibiotics can revolutionize healthcare

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 18:00:33 +0000

Antibiotic overuse is a key driver in the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global health crisis. Researchers have provided compelling evidence that short-course antibiotic treatments can be a game-changer in tackling ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a serious infection common in critically ill patients.

A team with diverse expertise produces novel ideas -- but are they practical?

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:59:15 +0000

A first-of-its-kind study shows that while teams with differing skill sets and perspectives bring fresh, unique ideas to the table, they often struggle to create practical, workable solutions -- raising important questions for managers and businesses worldwide.

Little birds, little poops, little food safety risk

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:59:10 +0000

Smaller poops from smaller birds carry very low risk of foodborne pathogens on farms, finds a new study.

Structural insights reveal drug target in trypanosome parasites

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:58:16 +0000

Trypanosomes are parasites that cause sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and various animal diseases. Diagnosis and treatment remain complex and no effective vaccine has been developed. A better understanding of the molecular processes in the parasite is fundamental to the development of novel effective drugs. Scientists have now characterized an important protein complex -- the nuclear cap-binding complex -- that is vital for trypanosomes, since it binds to the end of each of the parasites' mRNAs.

Antibiotics, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication linked to reduced risk of dementia

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:58:01 +0000

Antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication are associated with reduced risk of dementia, according to new research that looked at health data from over 130 million individuals.

Why our biological clock ticks: Research reconciles major theories of aging

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:57:54 +0000

Two major theories of aging both involve DNA, but in very different ways. Researchers have revealed that these theories may not be so different after all.

Telephone therapy reduces fatigue interference with activities, mood and cognition for metastatic breast cancer survivors

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:57:52 +0000

A clinical trial demonstrates the effectiveness of telephone-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in reducing fatigue's interference with functioning and improving the quality of life for survivors of metastatic breast cancer. The ACT intervention helped study participants to fall asleep with greater ease. Fatigue remains a significant challenge for these survivors, affecting up to 63 percent of patients and severely impacting daily functioning.

Brain immune cells may also be from 'Mars and Venus'

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:56:27 +0000

Researchers find that microglia function differently in males versus females, potentially having broad implications for how neurological diseases are studied.

Treatment for children with obesity has lasting effect

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:56:24 +0000

When children with obesity undergo weight-loss treatment, the effects have repercussions later in life and the risk of serious health problems and premature death is lower as they reach young adulthood. However, this is not the case for depression and anxiety, a study reports.

How the Incoming Trump Administration Could Impact Home-Based Care

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:27:34 +0000

Questions always abound when a new presidential administration comes in, but Republicans’ focus on cost-cutting hold potential for home-based care — if providers can advocate for themselves in Washington.

Though uncertainties abound when it comes to the Trump administration’s approach to health care, many notable policies have been implemented during Republican administrations. From the establishment of the Medicare Hospice Benefit under Ronald Reagan to the unveiling of Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) under the first Bush administration, this track record can be source of optimism, according to Edo Banach, partner at Manatt Health, a division of the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.

“The optimistic note is that a lot of the positive things that have happened in health care over the last 30 years have happened under a Republican Congress, a Republican administration or both,” Banach told Home Health Care News. “I think we’re going to see an increase in opportunities when it comes to caring for vulnerable folks, people who have Medicare and Medicaid, people who are chronically and seriously ill. If the incoming administration wants to solve an economic problem, they can’t solve an economic problem without solving that problem. You’re not going to save money if you simply cut services, so you have to be smarter about the way that you deploy those services.”

Banach previously served as deputy director and senior leader at the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) during the Obama administration.

A key component of this is the Republican drive to cut costs, particularly as it pertains to the Medicare trust fund. Home-based care has a proven track record of reducing the total cost of care, which could lead to increased government investment in those services.

Hospice is a great example. Hospice care saves Medicare roughly $3.5 billion for patients in their last year of life, according to a joint report from the National Alliance for Care at Home and NORC at the University of Chicago.

Likewise, participants in the home health value-based purchasing model (HHVBP) have saved Medicare more than $1.38 billion over six years in nine states, according to CMS.

The same principle extends to palliative care. Home-based palliative care could reduce societal health care costs by $103 billion within the next 20 years, the nonprofit economic research group Florida TaxWatch said in a 2019 report.

“With just sheer alignment in the House and Senate and the executive office, I hope it provides an opportunity to get some real, meaningful things done that are beneficial for the country,” Nick Westfall, chairman and CEO of VITAS Healthcare, told Home Health Care News. “The new administration creates a bit of an opportunity for this space with some of their stated goals to look for opportunities to make the governmental programs more efficient and save taxpayers money. Hospice is part of that solution for health care.”

VITAS Healthcare is a subsidiary of Chemed Corp. (NYSE: CHE).

A key question is the future of Medicare Advantage, a program which has come under increasing scrutiny in the past year, particularly due to reported claims denials and delays in care related to administrative processes, among other concerns.

Nevertheless, MA has been a rising tide in home health, in particular. Also, hospices have sought MA contracts to support expanded business lines like palliative care and other services. This stands to reason in light of massive growth in the Medicare Advantage population.

In 2024, more than 33 million beneficiaries were enrolled in MA, about half of the entire Medicare population, CMS reported. This is up from 19% in 2007.

“Everyone is watching to see if the new administration will be a stronger advocate for expanding Medicare Advantage’s management of Medicare dollars, including a wholesale carve-in of the hospice benefit,” Alivia Care CEO Susan Ponder-Stansel told Home Health Care News. “Much depends on how quickly and effectively the new administration’s agenda in HHS and CMS can be implemented, but most of us who are paying attention expect to see a continued expansion of MA enrollment, and with that more pressure to get rid of the carve-out.”

Regardless of where the new administration goes, advocacy by and for home-based care providers will be crucial, according to Dr. Steven Landers, CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home.

Among the key issues to be addressed, in addition to expanding access to care, is fixing reported flaws in the implementation of initiatives like the hospice Special Focus Program and the Patient-Driven Groupings Model for home health, Landers said. Home health reimbursement cuts are also a key concern.

“So much of what we’re fighting about and concerned about as an industry is about how [the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services], or CMS is implementing the laws that are already passed,” Landers said at the Home Care 100 conference in Marco Island, Florida. “So we’ve got this new day. We have this moment. We’re gonna have a new secretary. We’re gonna have a new [CMS] administrator. There are new policy advisors in the White House, some new folks in the [Office of Management and Budget]. We have to prioritize going and building these relationships, and giving them the information, the data, on how some of these implementations have gone wrong.”

The post How the Incoming Trump Administration Could Impact Home-Based Care appeared first on Home Health Care News.

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