Last week’s nationwide injunction by a federal court in Texas barring the Federal Trade Commission from implementing its ban on noncompete agreements could help home care agency owners in Connecticut.

Proper caregiver training is crucial for ensuring high-quality care and addressing high staff turnover and burnout in the home care industry. According to the 2024 Activated Insights Benchmarking Report, many home-based care and home health staff feel unprepared for new clients, contributing to a nearly 80% annual turnover rate. Training not only enhances caregivers' skills and job satisfaction but also supports their professional development, which is vital for maintaining a motivated workforce and delivering better patient care.

The deadline to submit nominations for the HCAOA Board of Directors is next Friday, September 6, 2024.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Ada E. Brown set aside the FTC’s sweeping ban on non-compete agreements, concluding that the rule was “arbitrary and capricious” and that the FTC lacked the statutory authority to issue the rule in the first place. (read Judge Brown’s decision here).

HCAOA members are invited to register for Polsinelli's Home Care Industry Update on September 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET. HCAOA CEO Jason Lee will participate in a panel discussion with representatives from Polsinelli and The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) for a discussion on developments affecting health care fraud enforcement, including policy announcements, case law developments under False Claims Act (FCA) and FCA settlements entered into by health care industry participants.

As we approach the final stretch for the Home Care Industry Association Research Study, HCAOA would like to remind you the deadline to participate is August 31st – the last day to have your voice heard and be eligible for exciting rewards! ​

​Thanks to aggressive advocacy by the HCAOA West Virginia Chapter, the state’s HCBS reimbursement rate has been raised from $18.92 to $25.44, a 34.5% increase! This increase makes West Virginia’s rates more competitive with surrounding state rates, such as Kentucky (soon to be $29), Ohio ($29), Maryland ($31), Pennsylvania ($23 regional average), and Virginia ($23 regional average).

Join your colleagues for an exclusive fireside chat with Nancy Harper, Director of Learning and Development at Benchmark Senior Living, and Logan Jamieson, Product Specialist at Relias, on August 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

The Pennsylvania Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has engaged Mercer Government Human Services Consulting to conduct a rate study survey for several Home and Community-Based Services, including personal assistance services. All providers in Pennsylvania are asked to complete the survey by next Friday, August 23, for calendar year 2023. The information collected in this survey will be used to assist in developing a point of reference for the rate range to evaluate current payment rates. In addition to results from this survey, the review will include payment rate information from Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in OLTL claims data, recent legislative policies, department expectations, and other data obtained from publicly available sources.

HCAOA is conducting a broad Home Care Industry Association Research Study to gather valuable insights and demographics about the make-up of our industry as a whole and identify areas for growth and innovation. The survey takes LESS THAN SEVEN MINUTES from start to finish, and all members who complete the survey are eligible for a free annual membership, free conference registration, or Amazon gift cards. Click here to complete the survey by August 31 to be eligible.

All HCAOA members are encouraged to register for the HCAOA National Legislative Call on September 12 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET. This call is a key benefit for all members to hear about the latest legislative and regulatory proposals impacting home care and how HCAOA is mobilizing to take action for members.

HCAOA member SYNERGY HomeCare is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of record growth, driven by a strong focus on human capital. CEO Charlie Young highlighted that the most successful franchise operations prioritize investing in their internal administrative teams and human resources, which are crucial for managing scheduling, home assessments, and caregiver retention. Equally important is developing robust local connections and a sales strategy that builds relationships with referral sources like hospitals and community organizations. With nearly 500 locations and 42 new territories added this year, SYNERGY continues to expand rapidly, surpassing previous growth records.