 Last week, CMS announced it would offer an additional payment of $35 per dose for providers administering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to Medicare beneficiaries. There are approximately 1.6 million adults 65 or older who may have trouble accessing COVID-19 vaccinations because they have difficulty leaving home. For agencies who also do home health, training before vaccine administration is important for all staff.
 In last week’s newsletter we shared information regarding Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law that will cut provider’s reimbursements. We are excited to share that we now have a new bill. HB 4992 is an alternative amendment that would eliminate the arbitrary 45% reimbursement cap for post-acute services so we need your help to urge state lawmakers to vote in favor of HB 4992. We are hoping all HCAOA members in Michigan will join us in advocating on behalf of our clients who deserve to be cared for and supported in their own homes, so they can live as independently as possible. Send a message and read more here.
 A new report released last week examines how the communication between providers and patients impacts overall care service satisfaction. The Porter Research Home Healthcare Consumer Communication Impact Report compiles the responses of 300 patients and family caregivers who have experienced home-based care over the last 12 months. While the report focuses more on home health, many of the data findings and tips in the report can still apply to agencies that provide personal care.
 The state Senate recently passed Ohio’s budget bill, which included home care licensure. It will now go to the Conference Committee and finally to the governor for signature. A few weeks ago, HCAOA sent a letter to Representative Ginter. Click here to read the letter.  Effective May 24, 2021, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) revised its COVID-19 Emergency Rules. The change comes as more Michiganders have received vaccines and COVID-19 cases have decreased. Most significantly, the newly amended rules completely eliminate the requirement that employers must create a policy prohibiting in-person work for employees to the extent that their work activities can feasibly be done completely remotely, meaning employees can be mandated to return to their physical workplace. Read more
ALABAMA: Legalizes Medical Marijuana While Allowing Employers Discretion as to Participating Workers6/9/2021
 On May 17, 2021, Governor Kay Ivey signed Alabama’s new medical marijuana law, known as the Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall Compassion Act, making Alabama the 37th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. The law identifies specific qualifying medical conditions, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorder (ASD); cancer-related cachexia, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, or chronic pain; Crohn’s disease; depression; epilepsy or a condition causing seizures; and HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss. While the law grants individuals with these health conditions access to medical marijuana, it provides almost no employment protections for doing so, and imposes no new obligations on employers. read more
 Should your agency consider offering more training opportunities for your caregivers and staff? More and more workers are finding the value in continuing education and other types of nontraditional training. According to the Survey of Education Attainment, a new national survey from NORC at the University of Chicago with funding from the ECMC Foundation, "more than 70 percent of the American workforce report completing at least one nontraditional, postsecondary training program—such as a certification, continuing education, or an apprenticeship."
 Last Thursday, Senate Republicans unveiled a $928 billion infrastructure counteroffer to President Biden’s original $1.9 trillion American Jobs Plan. The counteroffer is a substantial increase compared to the GOP’s previous five-year, $568 billion proposal, but still far less comprehensive than what the White House has called for, particularly when it comes to “soft infrastructure” like home- and community-based services. It seems unlikely that HCBS funding will be included in the initial infrastructure package, however, community-based services have historically been a bipartisan issue - so the funds could be included in a future package later this year.
While many Americans relaxed for the long Memorial Day weekend, HCAOA took the opportunity to speak with members about how THEY honor their clients who are veterans. Always Best Care Senior Services of Glenview and the North Shore spoke with two clients who served their country and shared their stories: U.S. Army Veteran, Samuel Thomas and U.S. Navy Veteran, George Blinick.
 HCAOA has joined a coalition of nearly 100 senior groups to advocate for the passage of HR 3321 and S1670, which calls for family caregivers to receive up to $5,000 in tax credits for out-of-pocket expenses related to caring for a loved one at home. Family caregivers in the U.S. provide billions of dollars of unpaid care. With such a financial toll on families, the Credit for Caring Act aims to help.  Many home care agencies are finding new challenges as COVID restrictions ease across the U.S. More and more clients are requesting vaccinated caregivers only, so agencies are pondering mandatory COVID-19 vaccine programs and incentives for those who are vaccinated. Is mandating the vaccine for employees legal? The simple answer is: yes  Are you taking advantage of this member benefit? HCAOA has partnered with CareerPlug to help our members with hiring. In 2021 so far, 10,596 job applications were received by HCAOA member agencies via the CareerPlug portal. We know hiring is a major issue right now - how many applications have you potentially missed out on by now utilizing CareerPlug? HCAOA members can create a basic account for free and keep an evergreen job posting online, or upgrade their account for even more benefits.
In the several years since CMS permitted Medicare Advantage plans to offer home care as a supplemental benefit, HCAOA has been encouraging members to keep this on their radar as a potential new source for revenue. It’s been a slow start, but today 296 Medicare Advantage plans cover home care - and that number is growing. The time is NOW for home care agencies to develop an action plan to get involved with these networks and open up a whole new revenue stream.
 Brooks-LaSure previously served as a senior CMS official under the Obama administration and worked for the House Ways and Means Committee. In addition, she would be the first Black woman to hold the post if her nomination is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. On May 27, following a bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra formally swore in Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Medline, a medical supply and equipment company that many HCAOA members utilize, has reportedly been acquired by private equity firms: the Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman LLC. Based in Illinois, Medline is a major producer and distributor of equipment from anesthesia to wheelchairs, beds and lab supplies used in hospitals and other healthcare centers in more than 110 countries. ABC News reported that: “Medline said in a statement that the company will continue to be privately held and led by the family of Charlie Mills, the chief executive officer, and that it will remain the largest single shareholder.”
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