MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ABILITY® Network and DecisionHealth® are pleased to announce the 2016 HomeCare Elite®, recognizing the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. This year marks the eleventh anniversary of this important program that acknowledges the best of the home care profession.

HomeCare Elite is a market-leading analysis that identifies the top 25 percent of all Medicare-certified home health agencies and further highlights the nation’s top 100 and top 500 agencies. The program is unique in that it analyzes all home health agencies, encompassing overall performance.

Excellence in healthcare—including outcomes of care, the patient experience, and the use of best practices—is garnering more attention with the growth of transparency initiatives and the focus on developing payment models that are driven by value over services provided. As hospitals and health systems face more financial risk in readmission payment penalties, bundled payments, and other accountable care programs, it is more important than ever that they identify and partner with the best post-acute providers.

HomeCare Elite agencies are identified by an analysis of publicly-available performance measures in quality outcomes, best practices (process measure) implementation, patient experience (HHCAHPS), quality improvement and consistency, and financial performance. To be considered, an agency must be Medicare-certified and have data for at least three outcome measures in Home Health Compare, a program created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Home Health Compare provides information about the quality of care provided by Medicare-certified home health agencies throughout the nation. This year, 9,406 home health agencies were reviewed, with 2,353 representing the top 25 percent that are Elite.

“Delivering quality care to patients in home health care has always been paramount,” said Christine Lang, Senior Director of Product Management at ABILITY. “However, quantifying that quality has become increasingly important, while tracking, measuring and interpreting data that supports quality improvements is becoming more complex. The 2016 HomeCare Elite winners have demonstrated success in providing the highest-quality care in their communities.”

“It is an honor to recognize these outstanding home health providers,” said Bud Meadows, Chief Revenue Officer for ABILITY. “They represent the best of the best in this profession and we applaud their efforts in delivering the highest quality of care.”

Out of 2,353 Elite agencies in 2016, 1,391 agencies achieved repeat recognition from 2015 and 337 agencies are first-time winners. Just 110 organizations have been HomeCare Elite every year since the inception of the award in 2006. Of those 110, only five agencies have achieved Top 500 or better all 11 years.

Read the HomeCare Elite data methodology for more information.

The 2016 HomeCare Elite list can be downloaded on the ABILITY website. In addition, winning agencies can request access to a complimentary media kit to promote their recognition.

About ABILITY® Network
ABILITY Network is a leading healthcare information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare through innovative applications and data analytics. ABILITY is headquartered in Minneapolis with principal offices in Boston and Tampa.

About DecisionHealth®

For over 30 years, DecisionHealth has served as the home care industry’s leading source for analysis and tools to improve revenue cycle performance, profitability, regulatory compliance and quality patient care. Agencies nationwide turn to DecisionHealth for education and training, coding and billing solutions, and ongoing expert guidance through its family of online products, print solutions, and live training events. DecisionHealth also certifies home health agency professionals in ICD-10 coding and OASIS-C2 through its Board of Medical Specialty Coding & Compliance (BMSC), and provides custom consulting services to agency leaders through its DecisionHealth Professional Services unit. For product information, call 1-855-CALL-DH1 or visit www.decisionhealth.com.