Growing by diversity.(Brief Article)

Changing Medicare rules prompted Lifeline's move into managed care

GARLAND -- Deanna Beauchamp says her 15-year-old company has been fortunate to survive changes taking place in the health care industry.

Home health care provider Lifeline Home Health Services Inc. has experienced a whopping 50% growth in its Medicare and managed-care services.

Revenue for its Medicare division for fiscal-year 1999 was $13 million, up from $9 million in 1998.

The managed-care side of the business had revenue of $750,000 -- with a $50,000 profit -- a turnaround from its $200,000 loss the previous year.

"Our projection for next year is $12 million for Medicare because of changes in Medicare funding. They decreased our reimbursements to the extent that it has decreased our revenue," said Beauchamp, who is administrator and …