​Legislation has been introduced on behalf of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) that would significantly burden home care agencies.
 
House Bill 6767 would cause many operational challenges for HCAs. The HCAOA Connecticut Chapter has been actively advocating on behalf of members against the bill by offering testimony to the General Law Committee, meeting with lawmakers. and planning a meeting with Department officials about concerns. 

​Why have benefits that help Medicare Advantage members remain in their homes experienced significant growth and adoption over the past 4 years despite the challenges of providing a human-powered service?
 
A new report released last week by ATI Advisory and the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA), with support from the SCAN Foundation, examined this question, specifically focusing on the impact of in-home support services (IHSS), caregiver supports, and social needs benefits.

​National Home Care Advocacy Day is next week, and plans are being finalized to make each HCAOA member’s visit memorable. Meetings with legislators are scheduled and plans are set for the Welcome Reception on March 28 and an Opening Session on Capitol Hill on March 29.
 
If you can’t make the trip to Washington, you can still advocate with your respective U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators by sending a virtual message asking for their support.
 

​The second End Loneliness Symposium will take place on April 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., CST, in Chicago. HCAOA members can attend the event for free with discount code HomeInstead, thanks to HCAOA member and symposium planning chair Michael Melinger of Home Instead. The cost to attend is usually $125.

​HCAOA recently confirmed two sessions for the Illinois Chapter Conference in Chicago, on May 8.
 
Rani Harms, Home Services and Home Nursing Licensing Supervisor for IDPH’s Division of Health Care Facilities and Programs, will provide an update on regulations and surveys for home services providers.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask labor law questions and receive answers from experienced attorneys during the conference’s “Ask Me Anything” session featuring Aimee Delaney and Adam Guetzow, Partners with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.

​Last Tuesday, the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) and dozens of groups representing millions of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay proposed changes to Medicare Advantage. More time for review and evaluation the impact of the proposal is needed before changes are implemented, the groups urged.

​HCAOA, Odell Studner Group, and Breckpoint will host a free webinar about the California Home Care (CHC) Workers’ Compensation Program for home care providers on April 20, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., PST.

​HCAOA members receive discounts on Littler’s Home Care Toolkit, which helps home care agencies understand and comply with federal and state employment laws and stay informed of significant developments that may impact operations.

​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.