Is your agency looking to add dental and vision benefits for your employees? Dominion National offers dental and vision packages employers can add to their employee benefits. The dental program includes a teledentistry app that provides virtual dental consultations. If your agency wants to expand employee benefits, visit HCAOA’s Member Benefit Guide to learn more.

The special discounted rate at the Capital Hilton Hotel is good through Friday, March 29. Prices will increase, so secure your hotel reservation today to ensure you receive the best rate.

Are you on the fence about submitting a breakout session proposal for the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Conference? Don’t give it another thought; submit your proposal today! HCAOA wants to hear from you, and so do your colleagues.

The Connecticut General Assembly approved a new three-year agreement reached between the Connecticut Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Workforce Council and SEIU District 1199 New England.

John Sneath, founder and CEO of HCAOA member Tribute Home Care, was recently featured on the Home Health Care News Disrupt podcast. Sneath shared insights about why Tribute is doubling down on private-pay personal care and how the agency approaches caregiver recruitment and hiring.

California Chapter Leadership is requesting members to send letters of support for AB 2185. Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson is sponsoring AB 2185, which would prohibit Domestic Referral Agencies (DRAs) from compensating home care workers and independent contractors, which has become more and more of an issue in California, especially in recent years as the demand for services grows. AB 2185 would allow Domestic Referral Agencies to continue to provide referral services but not allow them to function as unlicensed home care organizations by compensating domestic workers who provide care to seniors on an ongoing basis without being a licensed home care organization and the licensing requirements that are required of home care organizations and protections for home care aides and seniors.

Last week, HCAOA members joined forces with the South Carolina Home Care and Hospice Association and Hearts for Home Care to advocate for home care and hospice services. Thirty advocates and providers across the state walked the halls and met with over 35 lawmakers at the state Capitol in Columbia to address workforce wage demand. HCAOA South Carolina Chair Melissa Allman, Director of Government Affairs at BAYADA Home Care, stated, “We are grateful for the continued support from the General Assembly and the Department of Health and Human Services.”

Genworth has been tracking the costs of long-term care services nationwide since 2004. The 2023 Cost of Care Survey gathered data from over 11,000 surveys from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health facilities, and home care providers. Although the expenses for home care aides have risen, they remain notably lower compared to institutional care, as illustrated by the data in the Genworth Cost of Care Survey results.

Undecided if you should attend HCAOA’s National Home Care Advocacy Day, April 16 – 17 in Washington, D.C.? Was the cost of the hotel a concern? Then worry no more! HCAOA is happy to announce that we have secured a room block at the Capital Hilton Hotel at a discounted rate of $399 plus tax per room night. Reservations must be made by Friday, March 29, so please secure your hotel reservations as soon as possible to receive the discounted rate.

Last week, more than 40 HCAOA members and staff spent the day at the state Capitol in Sacramento asking lawmakers and members of the Newsom Administration to support a bill to protect seniors and families hiring in-home support. The main issue of discussion for the day was AB 2185, which would prohibit Domestic Referral Agencies (DRAs) from compensating home care workers and independent contractors, which has become more and more of an issue in California, especially in recent years as the demand for services grows. Even if you were not able to attend the Advocacy Day, you can still do your part by sending a letter of support to your lawmakers.

Would you be interested in paying less for your employee health benefits? As an HCAOA member, if your agency has 15+ employees, you can receive a 2% discount on association affinity health plan rates with Benefit Indemnity Corporation. Benefit Indemnity Corporation offers preferred rates and money back on group health plans and self-funded exchange programs for your employees. If you are unsure if you need a fully-insured or self-funded plan, they will provide a comprehensive analysis and recommend the best option for your agency.

HCAOA members…if you haven’t already done so, send a message to your Senators that you support an amendment to the Veterans’ Health Empowerment, Access, Leadership, and Transparency for our Heroes (HEALTH) Act (S.1315).

The clock is ticking…just THREE DAYS until the deadline to submit a speaking proposal for the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Conference this October in Seattle.

Retaining staff and improving outcomes are two goals of any health care organization. Studies have shown that a personalized approach can increase staff satisfaction regarding healthcare employee retention. HCAOA partner Relias offers Competency Evaluations to help identify gaps in knowledge and skills from day one so that you can provide a more tailored approach to onboarding. Members are encouraged to watch this on-demand webinar session with Clark Christian, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Relias, to learn how this tool can help!

HCAOA’s Georgia Chapter is pleased to report that the House has approved the SFY 2025 budget, and now the budget is in the Senate for consideration. The chapter previously met with the House Appropriations Chair and recently met with the Senate Appropriations Chair to answer questions and advocate for passage of the SFY 2025 with this funding fully intact. The Chapter will continue to follow the budget process in the Senate and are prepared to answer any questions on behalf of the budget request.