​Last week, HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak attended the Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on “Uplifting Families, Workers, and Older Adults: Supporting Communities of Care,” where Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the HCBS Access Act, cosponsored by 16 other U.S. Senators. The Act was introduced as a complementary bill to the Better Care Better Jobs Act (S. 100) introduced by Casey and 39 co-sponsors in January. 

According to Casey, “The Better Care Better Jobs Act is designed to invest in a HCBS provider infrastructure for the recruitment and retention of workers. The [HCBS Access Act] establishes a permanent funding stream to keep the infrastructure strong and make sure we’re able to continue to pay direct care professionals at a rate the ensures qualified, reliable services and a qualified, reliable workforce into the future.”

​With one-in-four West Virginians reaching the age of 65 by 2030, the opportunities and challenges for home care providers abound. WV home care providers are invited to learn strategies, advocacy tips, and how the Chapter is at work at the West Virginia Chapter Conference on Tuesday, April 18, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

One of the challenges facing home care providers in West Virginia is the low rate of Medicaid reimbursement for home care services. ​

​Last week, AARP released their “Valuing the Invaluable 2023 Update: Strengthening Supports for Family Caregivers,” providing a profile of family caregivers, the challenges they face, recent developments that support family caregivers, and recommendations.

​From tips on building success and growth with a strong culture to a conversation with a seasoned health care leader, and from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in home care to state and federal updates—the HCAOA Arizona Chapter Conference is one you will not want to miss! 

​Join other Arizona home care providers on Wednesday, May 3, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at Venue8600, in Scottsdale, AZ for a fantastic chapter conference.

​Four years into implementation, nearly 40 percent of Medicare Advantage plans are offering either expanded primarily health-related benefits (EPHRB) or Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in 2023. A new report guided by the SSBCI Leadership Circle and produced by ATI Advisory and LTQA has taken a closer look at the plans and their benefits.
 
“A Deep Dive on In-Home, Caregiver, and Social Supports in Medicare Advantage: Can These Benefits Meaningfully Meet Member Needs and Support Independence?” examines why benefits that help members stay in their homes–specifically in-home support services (IHSS), caregiver supports, and social needs benefits–have experienced significant growth and adoption despite the challenges in providing a human-powered service. 

​Today is the last day to register for the home-based care industry update to be held on Thursday, March 16, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., EST, featuring HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak, the lawyers from Polsinelli, and NAHC.
 
The free webinar will cover recent government action extending the statute of limitations for investigating and prosecuting certain providers who participated in specific COVID related aid packages and the impact on the home care industry. These various aid packages include the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”), Provider Relief Funds Program (“PRF”) and the Employee Retention Credit Program (“ERC”).  

​“Having an active VA HCAOA Chapter is important to me so we can collectively influence our regulatory environment, create educational opportunities, and stay on top of industry trends,” said Mitch Opalski, CEO of SYNERGY HomeCare Arlington/Alexandria. “To me, participating in the local chapter is an integral part of industry leadership.”

​The HCAOA Virginia Chapter Conference is Virginia home care providers opportunity to get engaged  in Richmond, on April 5. ​The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and registration and will run until 2:30 p.m.

​Last week, President Joe Biden introduced his fiscal year budget proposal, which would “… invest $150 billion over 10 years to improve and expand Medicaid home- and community-based services… which would allow older Americans and individuals with disabilities to remain in their homes and stay active in their communities, as well as improve the quality of jobs for home care workers.” (source: White House Budget Fact Sheet)

​HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak praised the HCBS funding in the budget, saying “HCAOA is grateful to have a president who continues to recognize the value of home care. This budget demonstrates the commitment to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to age in their own homes, living as independently as possible.” 

For members who may have run out of time or missed the deadline, there is good news. The deadline for speaker proposals for the National Home Care Conference has been extended to St. Patrick’s Day—this Friday, March 17.

​To date, HCAOA has received many speaker proposals for the National Home Care Conference on October 23-24 and a few more proposals would be welcomed.

​LTQA and ATI Advisory, with support from The SCAN Foundation, will take a deep dive on in-home support services, caregiver supports, and social needs benefits at a free webinar titled, “How Medicare Advantage Plans are Using These Benefits to Meaningfully Meet Members’ Needs,” on March 13, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., EST.

Last week, HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak attended the ENGAGE reception honoring caregivers in Washington, D.C. ENGAGE is a bipartisan women’s organization that promotes economic security for all American women in the 21st century and recognizes that no matter who wins an election, the only path forward is working together. Also in attendance was Joanne Cunningham, CEO, Partnership for Quality Home Health and Calvin McDaniel, Government Affairs Director, NAHC.

​Last week, the Aging Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly unanimously approved a bill that allows home care agencies to use the word “care” in their business names and advertising, following aggressive grassroots efforts by the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter and the testimony of many individual members in support of the bill. 

​HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak will join the lawyers from Polsinelli, and NAHC for an informative legal update tailored for the home-based care industry on Thursday, March 16, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., EST.
 
The free webinar will cover recent government action extending the statute of limitations for investigating and prosecuting certain providers who participated in specific COVID related aid packages and the impact on the home care industry. These various aid packages include the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”), Provider Relief Funds Program (“PRF”) and the Employee Retention Credit Program (“ERC”).  

​The HCAOA Georgia Chapter held a State Conference at the historic Freight Depot across from the State Capitol last week. 

The deadline for speaker proposals for the 2023 National Home Care Conference is this Friday, March 10. This prestigious conference draws hundreds of home care leaders from across the nation for education on issues, trends, operations, recruitment, technology, and more.​