HCAOA encourages all members to participate in Home Care Pulse’s 2024 Benchmarking Survey, which is open now! This is the largest annual study on home-based care, with results published in the 200+ page HCP Benchmarking Report. Jason Lee, HCAOA's CEO, stated, “The HCP Benchmarking Report is a valuable tool for HCAOA members, enabling them to assess their agency’s performance against home care industry trends. HCAOA proudly encourages members to participate in the survey because the data provided is an invaluable resource every year.”

The Senior Home Safety Specialist certification empowers home care professionals with actionable ways to educate clients, older adults and their family members on the serious issues of home safety, fall prevention, financial exploitation and personal safety. This comprehensive 5-hour self-paced audio/video course offers the only designation of its kind to individuals within the senior services industry.

Governor Phil Murphy recently signed the New Jersey Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights Act, S-723, aimed at bolstering the rights of domestic workers in the state. The legislation, championed by labor organizations, aims to provide workforce protections for housekeepers, nannies, and caregivers. The HCAOA NJ Chapter successfully advocated for amendments to the bill, mitigating its impact on the home care industry in New Jersey. Through extensive collaborative efforts, including in-person and virtual meetings, testimonies at committee hearings, and communication with legislators and industry partners, the HCAOA NJ Chapter Board of Directors and the HCAOA NJ Chapter lobbyist, Dennis Marco, played a pivotal role in influencing the final provisions of the legislation.

As we reported last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published its final rule on employee or independent contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on Jan. 10, 2024. This final rule revises the Department’s guidance on how to analyze who is an employee versus who is an independent contractor, and its release has been anticipated for some time. It is scheduled to go into effect on March 11, 2024.

Jonah Francis, president and owner of Pansy Homecare Services, LLC. in West Hartford and vice chair of the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter, and Matthew Hallisey, managing principal of Matthew Hallisey Government Affairs, LLC in Glastonbury, and lobbyist and government relations consultant for the Chapter, were featured guests on Face CT this past weekend. WTIC-AM 1080 Morning Drive News Anchor and Integrated Content Manager Morgan Cunningham interviewed the Chapter representatives, who discussed home care for seniors aging in place, public policy related to home care the General Assembly is expected to consider in the session beginning February 7, the role of HCAOA in shaping policy, and the status of the transition of regulation and oversight of the home care industry from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Department of Public Health.

CMS released state spending plan summaries for section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) on January 4. The spending plan summaries illustrate how states expect to spend $36.8 billion on activities to enhance, expand, or strengthen home and community-based services (HCBS) under Medicaid.

On January 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule, effective March 11, 2024, revising the Department’s guidance on how to analyze who is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). ​This final rule rescinds the Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act rule (2021 IC Rule), that was published on January 7, 2021 and replaces it with an analysis for determining employee or independent contractor status that is more consistent with the FLSA as interpreted by longstanding judicial precedent.

Hello HCAOA members,
We're thrilled to be part of HCAOA community! We, at AutomationEdge, understand the challenges you face daily: juggling administrative tasks, ensuring accurate documentation, and delivering top-notch care with limited resources. That's why we're excited to introduce CareFlo, a suite of pre-built AI and Automation Cloud solutions specifically designed for the home care industry.

ACHC is a non-profit accreditation organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence for 30 years. ACHC offers nationally recognized accreditation services for home health, hospice, and private duty agencies. ACHC's consultative approach to accreditation is designed to improve the quality of patient care while enhancing business efficiencies through service-specific standards and industry-based best practices.
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The 2024 HCAOA calendar is brimming with chapter events designed to keep you abreast of the latest industry issues impacting your business at the local and national level. Educational sessions from industry experts are also offered during virtual and in-person meetings. Events are added daily, so be sure to check back for updates. Visit the HCAOA calendar today and register for your next HCAOA chapter event!

The Member-Get-A-Member Program is a referral campaign providing members an opportunity to share their success stories and the benefits they derive from their membership with prospective members. Membership growth amplifies the home care industry’s voice at the federal and state levels, so legislators and regulators listen.

All HCAOA members in Washington are encouraged to register to participate in In-Home Services Advocacy Day to support home care services in Washington. This event is a partnership between the HCAOA Washington Chapter, Home Care Association of WA (HCAW), and WA State Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (WSHPCO) to help educate legislators on the important role that in-home care providers serve in their legislative districts. Washington state has a high-priority bill this year that will convene a palliative care benefit work group with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to establish a standardized palliative care benefit in the private insurance market as well as coordinate with the Medicaid benefit to assure consistency.

​This McKnights podcast will explore the intersection of technology and the evolution of value-based care. MatrixCare and the American Health Care Association discuss the challenges faced by post-acute providers in the value-based care model and what the role of technology in overcoming these challenges are.

To listen to the podcast, click here.

Join your fellow HCAOA colleagues in Washington, DC on April 16 - 17 to stand up and speak out for home care! A united voice is crucial to ensure our representatives in the nation’s capital take notice. More information will be shared as details are finalized. Until then, mark your calendar for HCAOA’s National Home Care Advocacy Day, April 16 – 17. Your participation will make a significant impact!