FROM: U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Three Patient Recruiters for Miami Home Health Company Plead Guilty for Roles in $48 Million Fraud Scheme
Three patient recruiters for a Miami health care company pleaded guilty today for their participation in a $48 million home health Medicare fraud scheme.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Steinbach of the FBI’s Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher B. Dennis of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Office of Investigations Miami Office made the announcement.
Miami residents Marianela Martinez, 45; Omar Hernandez, 48; and Celia Santovenia, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham in the Southern District of Florida to one count each of conspiracy to receive health care kickbacks. Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 11, 2014.
According to court documents, Martinez, Hernandez and Santovenia were patient recruiters who worked for Caring Nurse Home Health Care Corp., and Santovenia also worked for Good Quality Home Health Care Inc. Caring Nurse and Good Quality were Miami home health care agencies that purported to provide home health and therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries.
From approximately January 2006 through June 2011, the defendants would recruit patients for Caring Nurse and/or Good Quality and would solicit and receive kickbacks and bribes from the owners and operators of Caring Nurse and/or Good Quality in return for allowing the agency to bill the Medicare program on behalf of the recruited patients. These Medicare beneficiaries were billed for home health care and therapy services that were medically unnecessary and/or not provided.
In a related case, on Feb. 27, 2013, Rogelio Rodriguez, 44, and Raymond Aday, 49, the owners and operators of Caring Nurse and Good Quality, were sentenced to serve 108 and 51 months in prison, respectively. The sentencings followed their December 2012 guilty pleas to one count each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud charged in an October 2012 indictment, which alleged that from approximately January 2006 through June 2011, Caring Nurse and Good Quality submitted approximately $48 million in claims for home health services that were not medically necessary and/or not provided. Medicare paid approximately $33 million for those fraudulent claims.
The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Joseph S. Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,700 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Showing posts with label HHS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HHS. Show all posts
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
HHS RECOMMENDS KNOWING FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY
FROM: U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Talib Babb with HHS HealthBeat.
Getting the story on your family health history is a great way to learn more about possible health risks that you or other members of your family may face. While you can’t change your family health history, you can act to reduce your disease risk and keep yourself and your family healthy.
The Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait tool provides consumers with an easy free way to record their family health information. Consumers are able to organize their family history information and share it with their family and health care professionals.
Dr. Boris Lushniak is acting surgeon general.
“You can input really rare diseases. But also you can input the real common diseases that we know have a real genetic predisposition that do run in families. So that includes heart disease, various cancers and diabetes”
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Talib Babb with HHS HealthBeat.
Getting the story on your family health history is a great way to learn more about possible health risks that you or other members of your family may face. While you can’t change your family health history, you can act to reduce your disease risk and keep yourself and your family healthy.
The Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait tool provides consumers with an easy free way to record their family health information. Consumers are able to organize their family history information and share it with their family and health care professionals.
Dr. Boris Lushniak is acting surgeon general.
“You can input really rare diseases. But also you can input the real common diseases that we know have a real genetic predisposition that do run in families. So that includes heart disease, various cancers and diabetes”
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
HHS LAUNCHES VIDEO CONTEST TO INFORM YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE COVEAGE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HHS launches partnership and video contest with Young Invincibles
HOUSTON, Texas – Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Young Invincibles announced the Healthy Young America video contest in an effort to inform young people about health insurance coverage and new options under the Affordable Care Act. People can submit entries and vote for their favorite videos at www.healthyyoungamerica.org.
“Health insurance is out of reach for millions of young people today—because it costs too much, or isn’t offered through a job,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Soon the Health Insurance Marketplace will give uninsured young people the opportunity to enroll in affordable health insurance, and the Healthy Young America video contest will help them tell their stories to other young people.”
The Affordable Care Act is making health care more affordable and accessible for 19 million uninsured young adults across the country. Three million previously uninsured young adults have joined their parents’ health insurance plan because of the health care law.
“The Millennial generation has always been a creative generation, which is why we are so pleased to partner with HHS in launching the Healthy Young America video contest. “Educating millions of young people about the changes coming this year is vital to helping them achieve economic security,” Aaron Smith, co-founder and executive director of Young Invincibles. “This competition will engage young people by reaching them through a medium that they prefer to use when sharing and receiving content.”
Young Invincibles is in the midst of a nationwide campaign designed to inform young adults about coming changes and new options. “The campaign includes health care “train the trainers” to help community leaders be informed about new changes. A website with frequently-asked questions and a mobile app to help consumers learn about their options, find local health care services, and get information on enrollment events this fall are also included in the campaign.
Young people can access a variety of online tools now, through HealthCare.gov, and count on in-person help to get answers to their questions to help them enroll October 1. Young people can use HealthCare.gov to join web chats or call toll free 1-800-318-2596, to get help from a trained customer service representative.
There will also be people in local communities who can provide direct help with their coverage choices. Last week, HHS awarded $67 million to 105 Navigator grant applicants and recognized more than 100 national organizations and businesses who have volunteered to help Americans learn about the Marketplace. More than 1,200 community health centers across the country are preparing to help enroll uninsured Americans in coverage, and a partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services will help trusted local libraries be a resource for consumers who want information on their options.
HHS launches partnership and video contest with Young Invincibles
HOUSTON, Texas – Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Young Invincibles announced the Healthy Young America video contest in an effort to inform young people about health insurance coverage and new options under the Affordable Care Act. People can submit entries and vote for their favorite videos at www.healthyyoungamerica.org.
“Health insurance is out of reach for millions of young people today—because it costs too much, or isn’t offered through a job,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Soon the Health Insurance Marketplace will give uninsured young people the opportunity to enroll in affordable health insurance, and the Healthy Young America video contest will help them tell their stories to other young people.”
The Affordable Care Act is making health care more affordable and accessible for 19 million uninsured young adults across the country. Three million previously uninsured young adults have joined their parents’ health insurance plan because of the health care law.
“The Millennial generation has always been a creative generation, which is why we are so pleased to partner with HHS in launching the Healthy Young America video contest. “Educating millions of young people about the changes coming this year is vital to helping them achieve economic security,” Aaron Smith, co-founder and executive director of Young Invincibles. “This competition will engage young people by reaching them through a medium that they prefer to use when sharing and receiving content.”
Young Invincibles is in the midst of a nationwide campaign designed to inform young adults about coming changes and new options. “The campaign includes health care “train the trainers” to help community leaders be informed about new changes. A website with frequently-asked questions and a mobile app to help consumers learn about their options, find local health care services, and get information on enrollment events this fall are also included in the campaign.
Young people can access a variety of online tools now, through HealthCare.gov, and count on in-person help to get answers to their questions to help them enroll October 1. Young people can use HealthCare.gov to join web chats or call toll free 1-800-318-2596, to get help from a trained customer service representative.
There will also be people in local communities who can provide direct help with their coverage choices. Last week, HHS awarded $67 million to 105 Navigator grant applicants and recognized more than 100 national organizations and businesses who have volunteered to help Americans learn about the Marketplace. More than 1,200 community health centers across the country are preparing to help enroll uninsured Americans in coverage, and a partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services will help trusted local libraries be a resource for consumers who want information on their options.
Friday, September 20, 2013
CDC REPORTS OVER 200,000 NEEDLESS DEATHS IN 2010 FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest estimates tell a sad tale: in 2010, more than 200,000 people died of cardiovascular disease – notably under age 75 – but didn’t have to. Their conditions could have been prevented or treated.
Researcher Linda Schieb notes that healthy living can help people reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease:
“If they do smoke, they should stop smoking, increase their physical activity to two and half hours per week, eat a healthy diet, and maintain a healthy weight.”
People can have risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol, and not know it, so an annual check-up can help.
The analysis is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest estimates tell a sad tale: in 2010, more than 200,000 people died of cardiovascular disease – notably under age 75 – but didn’t have to. Their conditions could have been prevented or treated.
Researcher Linda Schieb notes that healthy living can help people reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease:
“If they do smoke, they should stop smoking, increase their physical activity to two and half hours per week, eat a healthy diet, and maintain a healthy weight.”
People can have risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol, and not know it, so an annual check-up can help.
The analysis is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
HHS SAYS COFFEE DRINKING MAY HAVE POSITIVE AFFECT UPON PROSTATE CANCER
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.
Coffee can’t cure prostate cancer, but research indicates a cup a day might do some good for men who have had prostate cancer. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Janet Stanford looked at data on 630 prostate cancer patients, of whom 61 percent drank at least one cup a day. Stanford wanted to see what relation coffee drinking might have with whether the prostate cancer came back or got worse:
“For the men that consumed at least one cup per day, risk of prostate cancer recurrence or progression was reduced by over 50 percent.”
She says coffee has chemicals that could affect cancer, but this needs more study.
The research in the journal Cancer Causes and Control was supported by the National Institutes of Health
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.
Coffee can’t cure prostate cancer, but research indicates a cup a day might do some good for men who have had prostate cancer. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Janet Stanford looked at data on 630 prostate cancer patients, of whom 61 percent drank at least one cup a day. Stanford wanted to see what relation coffee drinking might have with whether the prostate cancer came back or got worse:
“For the men that consumed at least one cup per day, risk of prostate cancer recurrence or progression was reduced by over 50 percent.”
She says coffee has chemicals that could affect cancer, but this needs more study.
The research in the journal Cancer Causes and Control was supported by the National Institutes of Health
Saturday, August 31, 2013
HHS SAYS MANY MEXICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN ON THEIR WAY TO EARLY DIABETES
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMANS SERVICES
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Data on Mexican-American children indicates many are headed early toward diabetes and other health problems. Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio examined 670 children ages 6 to 17. The researchers found a striking proportion had metabolic syndrome – warning signs of diabetes, such as belly fat and high levels of blood sugar and insulin.
Investigator Ravindranath Duggirala:
“Experiencing metabolic syndrome and related risk factors this early in life significantly increases risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic health problems years earlier than might otherwise have been expected.”
The study in the journal Human Genetics was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Data on Mexican-American children indicates many are headed early toward diabetes and other health problems. Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio examined 670 children ages 6 to 17. The researchers found a striking proportion had metabolic syndrome – warning signs of diabetes, such as belly fat and high levels of blood sugar and insulin.
Investigator Ravindranath Duggirala:
“Experiencing metabolic syndrome and related risk factors this early in life significantly increases risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic health problems years earlier than might otherwise have been expected.”
The study in the journal Human Genetics was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.
Monday, June 17, 2013
HEALTH-RELATED SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE LETTER REGARDING HEPATITIS B DISCRIMINATION
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services Issue Letter to Health-Related Schools Regarding Hepatitis B Discrimination
June 12, 2013
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services sent a joint letter today to the nation’s medical schools, dental schools, nursing schools, and other health-related schools regarding hepatitis B discrimination.
In the letter, the departments express concern that some health-related schools may be making enrollment decisions based on an incorrect understanding of the hepatitis B virus, resulting in discrimination.
The letter updates schools on the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the participation of students with hepatitis B in health-related schools. The letter also emphasizes the importance of CDC’s recommendations, especially as they relate to the schools’ obligation to comply with federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, color, and national origin.
Approximately 800,000 to 1.4 million people in the United States have hepatitis B. Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make up roughly 4.5 percent of the U.S. population, but represent 50 percent of the persons with hepatitis B in the United States.
The letter cites to a March 2013 settlement agreement that the Justice Department reached with a medical school and a school of osteopathic medicine resolving allegations that the schools violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by excluding previously-accepted applicants with hepatitis B from their programs.
The updated CDC recommendations, based on the most current scientific information, dispel many myths associated with hepatitis B and provide guidance to health-related schools on managing students with the virus. The CDC also notes that since the last update of the recommendations in 1991, there have been no reports of hepatitis B transmission in the United States or other developed countries from medical or dental students to patients. Among other recommendations, the CDC recommends that chronic hepatitis B virus infection, in itself, should not preclude the study or practice of medicine, surgery, dentistry, or allied health professions.
"The Justice Department strongly urges health-related schools to review the CDC’s recommendations and to ensure that their policies and practices comply with federal nondiscrimination laws," said Jocelyn Samuels, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. "Applicants and students with hepatitis B should not have to face exclusion on the basis of unfounded fears and stereotypes, and the Justice Department will not tolerate it."
"Both public ealth and civil rights will be promoted when medical schools rely on the most recent scientific information, not overbroad generalizations, in dealing with medical students with hepatitis B," said Seth Galanter, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the Department of Education.
Leon Rodriguez, Director of the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services, agrees that health-related schools must ensure that they do not deny equal access to individuals based on discrimination, adding: "The CDC recommendations promote public health and safety while also offering guidance on the management of students with hepatitis B. Our agencies place considerable weight on this guidance in our enforcement of Federal civil rights laws."
The Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services share responsibility for protecting the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including hose with hepatitis B, in schools of higher education by enforcing titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws prohibit covered postsecondary institutions from discriminating on the basis of disability and from refusing to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or the services provided. The Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services also enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, including those of health-related schools.
Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services Issue Letter to Health-Related Schools Regarding Hepatitis B Discrimination
June 12, 2013
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services sent a joint letter today to the nation’s medical schools, dental schools, nursing schools, and other health-related schools regarding hepatitis B discrimination.
In the letter, the departments express concern that some health-related schools may be making enrollment decisions based on an incorrect understanding of the hepatitis B virus, resulting in discrimination.
The letter updates schools on the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the participation of students with hepatitis B in health-related schools. The letter also emphasizes the importance of CDC’s recommendations, especially as they relate to the schools’ obligation to comply with federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, color, and national origin.
Approximately 800,000 to 1.4 million people in the United States have hepatitis B. Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make up roughly 4.5 percent of the U.S. population, but represent 50 percent of the persons with hepatitis B in the United States.
The letter cites to a March 2013 settlement agreement that the Justice Department reached with a medical school and a school of osteopathic medicine resolving allegations that the schools violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by excluding previously-accepted applicants with hepatitis B from their programs.
The updated CDC recommendations, based on the most current scientific information, dispel many myths associated with hepatitis B and provide guidance to health-related schools on managing students with the virus. The CDC also notes that since the last update of the recommendations in 1991, there have been no reports of hepatitis B transmission in the United States or other developed countries from medical or dental students to patients. Among other recommendations, the CDC recommends that chronic hepatitis B virus infection, in itself, should not preclude the study or practice of medicine, surgery, dentistry, or allied health professions.
"The Justice Department strongly urges health-related schools to review the CDC’s recommendations and to ensure that their policies and practices comply with federal nondiscrimination laws," said Jocelyn Samuels, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. "Applicants and students with hepatitis B should not have to face exclusion on the basis of unfounded fears and stereotypes, and the Justice Department will not tolerate it."
"Both public ealth and civil rights will be promoted when medical schools rely on the most recent scientific information, not overbroad generalizations, in dealing with medical students with hepatitis B," said Seth Galanter, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the Department of Education.
Leon Rodriguez, Director of the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services, agrees that health-related schools must ensure that they do not deny equal access to individuals based on discrimination, adding: "The CDC recommendations promote public health and safety while also offering guidance on the management of students with hepatitis B. Our agencies place considerable weight on this guidance in our enforcement of Federal civil rights laws."
The Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services share responsibility for protecting the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including hose with hepatitis B, in schools of higher education by enforcing titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws prohibit covered postsecondary institutions from discriminating on the basis of disability and from refusing to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or the services provided. The Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services also enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, including those of health-related schools.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
GRIEF AND HEART ATTACKS
FROM: HHS HealthBeat (May 1, 2012)
A grieving heart
A study of 2,000 people hospitalized for heart attacks finds the psychological stress of losing a loved one can increase heart attack risk.
At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Elizabeth Mostofsky and her collaborators say heart attack symptoms should not be dismissed as a harmless response to grief. Mostofsky says:
"Bereaved individuals and their family and friends should be aware of this heightened risk to make sure that the bereaved person takes care of him or herself. It may indicate that the person is indeed having a heart attack and should seek immediate medical attention." She also says:
“The risk of having a heart attack was 21 times higher in the 24 hours following the loss of loved one, compared to other times.”
The study in the journal Circulation was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Friday, April 27, 2012
SECOND HAND SMOKE AND TODDLER'S LUNG FUNCTION
FROM: HHS HealthBeat (April 26, 2012)
Toddlers, smoke and allergies
A study finds that 2-year-olds who were around secondhand smoke are more likely to have less lung function at 7 years of age. And researchers say some have more risk than others.
At the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Kelly Brunst looked at data on kids, secondhand smoke, and allergies:
“Young girls at age 2 who had been exposed to tobacco smoke and had more allergic sensitization showed 6 times the loss in lung function when they were 7, compared to non-sensitized girls and non-sensitized boys.”
Brunst says it’s another reason to keep kids away from smoke.
The study in the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Toddlers, smoke and allergies
A study finds that 2-year-olds who were around secondhand smoke are more likely to have less lung function at 7 years of age. And researchers say some have more risk than others.
At the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Kelly Brunst looked at data on kids, secondhand smoke, and allergies:
“Young girls at age 2 who had been exposed to tobacco smoke and had more allergic sensitization showed 6 times the loss in lung function when they were 7, compared to non-sensitized girls and non-sensitized boys.”
Brunst says it’s another reason to keep kids away from smoke.
The study in the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
HHS AND NEW OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED CARE
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HHS announces new Affordable Care Act options for community-based care
Medicaid and Medicare introduce greater flexibility for beneficiaries to receive care at home or in settings of their choice
New opportunities in Medicaid and Medicare that will allow people to more easily receive care and services in their communities rather than being admitted to a hospital or nursing home were announced today by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
HHS finalized the Community First Choice rule, which is a new state plan option under Medicaid, and announced the participants in the Independence At Home Demonstration program. The demonstration encourages primary care practices to provide home-based care to chronically ill Medicare patients.
Both are made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Studies have shown that home- and community-based care can lead to better health outcomes.
“We know that people frequently prefer to receive services in their own homes and communities whenever possible. The rule and demonstration announced today give people choice and provide states with flexibility to design programs that better meet the needs of beneficiaries,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, many families had few choices beyond nursing homes or other institutions for their loved ones. The actions taken today will help change that and can lead to better health for these individuals.”
The final rule released today on the Community First Choice Option provides states choosing to participate in this option a six percentage point increase in federal Medicaid matching funds for providing community-based attendant services and supports to beneficiaries who would otherwise be confined to a nursing home or other institution.
Also today, the first 16 organizations that will participate in the new Independence at Home Demonstration were announced. They will test whether delivering primary care services in the home can improve the quality of care and reduce costs for patients living with chronic illnesses. These 16 organizations were selected from a competitive pool of more than 130 applications representing hundreds of health care providers interested in delivering this new model of care.
The Independence at Home demonstration, which is voluntary for Medicare beneficiaries, provides chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries with a complete range of in-home primary care services. Under the demonstration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will partner with primary care practices led by physicians or nurse practitioners to evaluate the extent to which delivering primary care services in a home setting is effective in improving care for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions and reducing costs. Up to 10,000 Medicare patients with chronic conditions will be able to get most of the care they need at home.
The demonstration is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2012, and conclude May 31, 2015.
HHS is also seeking comment on a proposed rule that describes a separate Home and Community-Based Services state plan option, which was originally authorized in 2005 then enhanced by the Affordable Care Act. Like the Community First Choice Option, this benefit will make it easier for states to provide Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services.
“Our goal is to provide person-centered support to every Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary, regardless of their physical ability or chronic health conditions,” Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said. “These services and programs will help keep these individuals’ health stable, and keep them home where they want to be, while giving us even more tools to achieve better care for the patient, better health for the population, all at lower costs.”
The announcements made today are one part of the Obama administration’s efforts to help people with disabilities and those living with chronic illness stay in their own homes when they wish to do so. Earlier this month, Secretary Sebelius announced the creation of the new Administration for Community Living, bringing together key HHS organizations and offices dedicated to improving the lives of Americans with functional needs into one coordinated and stronger entity. This new agency will work on increasing access to community supports and achieving full community participation for seniors and people with disabilities.
The demonstration is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2012, and conclude May 31, 2015.
HHS is also seeking comment on a proposed rule that describes a separate Home and Community-Based Services state plan option, which was originally authorized in 2005 then enhanced by the Affordable Care Act. Like the Community First Choice Option, this benefit will make it easier for states to provide Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services.
“Our goal is to provide person-centered support to every Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary, regardless of their physical ability or chronic health conditions,” Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said. “These services and programs will help keep these individuals’ health stable, and keep them home where they want to be, while giving us even more tools to achieve better care for the patient, better health for the population, all at lower costs.”
The announcements made today are one part of the Obama administration’s efforts to help people with disabilities and those living with chronic illness stay in their own homes when they wish to do so. Earlier this month, Secretary Sebelius announced the creation of the new Administration for Community Living, bringing together key HHS organizations and offices dedicated to improving the lives of Americans with functional needs into one coordinated and stronger entity. This new agency will work on increasing access to community supports and achieving full community participation for seniors and people with disabilities.
Monday, April 16, 2012
CDC SAYS PET DUCKS CAN MAKE YOU SICK
FROM: DEPAPRTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HHS HealthBeat (April 13, 2012)
It gets ugly with ducklings
Spring is here, and what could be cuter than a little fluffy yellow chick or a duckling? Lots of things, because those birds can spread salmonella, which isn’t cute at all.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jennifer Mitchell cautions against giving chicks or ducklings to kids as pets. She says the birds can look healthy and clean but still carry salmonella:
“Those most at risk include infants and children younger than 5, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Young children are especially likely to develop a Salmonella infection because they love to pick up, snuggle, and kiss the chicks and ducklings.”
An article about a salmonella outbreak related to a mail-order chick and duckling hatchery is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
HHS HealthBeat (April 13, 2012)
It gets ugly with ducklings
Spring is here, and what could be cuter than a little fluffy yellow chick or a duckling? Lots of things, because those birds can spread salmonella, which isn’t cute at all.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jennifer Mitchell cautions against giving chicks or ducklings to kids as pets. She says the birds can look healthy and clean but still carry salmonella:
“Those most at risk include infants and children younger than 5, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Young children are especially likely to develop a Salmonella infection because they love to pick up, snuggle, and kiss the chicks and ducklings.”
An article about a salmonella outbreak related to a mail-order chick and duckling hatchery is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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