Federal Judge Key Ruling on False Claims Act

On September 30, US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle from the Middle District of Florida ruled in a landmark decision that the qui tam provision of the federal False Claims Act (FCA) is unconstitutional. This ruling could have significant impact on whistleblower (Qui Tam) actions filed against healthcare providers, particularly home health and hospice (most … Read more

Analysis: Kindred Pursuit of Gentiva

In news just released, Kindred (the post-acute, skilled, rehab and LTAcH behemoth) has made two separate offers to purchase control of Gentiva, the latest a $14 per share offer consisting of half cash, half stock ($7 and $7). An earlier offer of $13 per share was rejected and it appears the $14 offer will see … Read more

Home Health Focus: Gentiva/Harden and More

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post covering the Home Health PPS Final Rule for 2014.  As I was writing that post, I simultaneously reviewed the Gentiva/Harden deal plus the recent quarterly earnings of Amedisys and Almost Family (plus their acquisition of SunCrest HealthCare).  The earnings reports plus the analytics from these two … Read more

As the Home Health and Hospice World Turns: Part II

In Part I, I wrote about my last week’s conversations, etc. regarding the home health industry, specifically Amedysis, the Senate Finance Committee inquiry, the industry impact via the PPACA and the likely consolidation and merger trends that are approaching.  Suffice to say, not all of last week’s news and conversations focused on the home health … Read more