Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Bethesda, Inc. recently announced that the two entities have agreed to the sale of Bethesda, Inc’s subsidiary Consolidated Health Services, Inc to CHI.  Consolidated Health Services currently operates in 30 locations in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio and includes American Nursing Care, which provides home health services; Patient Transport Services, which [...]

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North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) announced earlier this month that it has reached agreement to purchase assets of the Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), subject to the approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The transaction results in an eight-county CHHA license for [...]

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The Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) announced earlier this month that it recently bid on and is set to acquire the Long Term Home Health Care ("Lombardi") Program from St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center.  VNSNY is currently licensed to provide long term home health care to 2,301 chronically ill New York residents and [...]

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AmeriCare, a home-based caregiving franchisor, recently announced their approval and addition to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Franchise Registry.  The Franchise Registry is a compilation of franchise systems whose franchise agreements have been reviewed by the SBA, thereby shortening the loan process for franchise investors and ensuring a consistent eligibility decision for loans.  AmeriCare, [...]

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A new report released by Univita Health estimates that the average annual cost nationwide of a private room in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility (SNF) was $90,155 and the average daily rate for a single occupancy, private room in a Medicare-certified SNF was $247.  The study surveyed over 2,000 nursing homes, 2,000 assisted living facilities [...]

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Want to take a loved one down to the beach this weekend but can’t figure out how to navigate the sand with a wheelchair?  Fear not sand castle builder…for $1,600 and ‘some assembly required’, you can purchase and put together Joy on the Beach.  The wheelchair, manufactured in Italy, uses aluminum alloy and inflatable balloon [...]

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According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the dog days of summer are nearing an end as the traditional timing of the Dog Days are defined as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11.  The hot temperatures and high humidity hitting the country during this time of year pose serious health risks to [...]

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Governor Pat Quinn last week signed historic legislation that transforms Illinois’ system of care for frail older adults and persons with disabilities.  The Governor signed two new laws, Senate Bill 326 and Senate Bill 2863, that improve the lives of current and future nursing home residents and are based upon recent research, investigations and deliberation [...]

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What happens when GE wants to bring good things to life (and keep them alive) and when Intel wants to be inside the home?  A joint venture.  GE (NYSE: GE) and Intel Corporation announced Monday that they are creating a new healthcare company focused on telehealth and independent living.  The announcement builds on the GE-Intel [...]

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According to a new poll by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), most seniors are confused and unaware to important aspects of health reform, or the Affordable Care Act, including its impact on their own Medicare coverage, the growth of Medicare, and the budget deficit.  The survey asked adults 65 and older a series of [...]

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Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a number of changes to Medicare home health payments for 2011 that reflect implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The proposed changes represent a 4.75 percent decrease in Medicare payments to home health agencies (HHAs) for calendar year 2011 which is approximately a [...]

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There’s a buzz about a recent article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, “Beyond Estate Planning: Bankers Tackle Elder Care” that talks about growth opportunities that banks are seizing to help assist some of their best and most trustworthy customers, their senior customers.  From helping to pay bills, arrange for services or refer to other [...]

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