​The Georgia’s Department of Community Health has begun their HCBS reimbursement rate study.
 
HCAOA members who wish to participate in the HCBS reimbursement rate study are invited to attend a webinar to learn how to complete the Georgia Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) and Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) cost reporting tool.
 
Participants are asked to submit their cost reporting tool no later than Friday, November 12, 2022.

​As Medicare Open Enrollment begins, Georgia seniors and qualified people with disabilities can receive free assistance in reviewing plans. Georgia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has trained counselors are offering free consultations to ensure seniors and people with disabilities obtain the best available coverage that meets their needs and budget.
 
For more information and to access a Georgia SHIP-trained counselor, visit https://aging.georgia.gov/georgia-ship.
 
Home care providers are encouraged to share this information with their clients.

​The Washington Department of Health’s Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission is seeking to amend the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) by eliminating duplication, updating competencies, and revising program requirements. They propose amending Chapter 246-841 and repealing Chapter 246-842 regarding Nursing Assistants.

​The California Department of Social Services has announced that PIN 22-29-ASC supersedes PIN 22-20-ASC, dated June 22, 2022, and informs Adult and Senior Care (ASC) licensees about CDPH resources on COVID-19 vaccines, including how to access COVID-19 vaccines for updated (bivalent) booster doses.

​On Tuesday, November 8, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., EST, HCAOA will host “Is Your Financial Plan Ready for 2023?” featuring seasoned CFO Nick Schneider, CPA, from Family Resource Home Care. 
​
Attendees will learn how to:
   •    Develop a basic budget process and understand financial terms/metrics
   •    Create a financial plan to help identify strategies and specific actions
   •    Measure actual performance and benchmark your budget against industry standards
   •    Project cash flow by building a 13 week forecast 
   •    Budget Scenarios

​Your agency’s client service agreement is the foundation of your agency. It’s what gets you paid and helps protect you from liability. Every client sees it and it is a reflection on your company.
How solid is your client service agreement? Be sure to have your contract out for this valuable and informative webinar!
 
Tune in on Tuesday, December 6, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., EST, to hear acclaimed speaker Bob King, attorney and founder of Legally Nanny, review provisions all home care providers should include in their client service agreements, as well as terms that should be left out! 

​HCAOA believes the value of home care and caregiving cannot be overstated. However, there are many people who do not understand what home care is, how demanding caregiving can be, and the immense value of a good team of care professionals for families and their aging loved ones.
 
To draw awareness to the value of caregiving, the importance of home care, and the importance of taking care of our nation’s heroes—our veterans, HCAOA is developing resources for HCAOA members to use during the month of November.

Do not miss these interesting and informative meetings! Register today.
 
October 20, 2022 – HCAOA Wisconsin Chapter virtual meeting featuring Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services Training Outreach Coordinator David Lubick discussing Wisconsin DHS and EVV implementation, as well as a presentation on  managing stress and burnout, and national and state legislative updates
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
Registration Fee: No cost, but registration is required.
 
November 1, 2022 – HCAOA Northern California Chapter meeting featuring Dept. of Social Services Chief Jennifer Niklas and national and state legislative updates
9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Registration fee: $75 for members, $150 for non-members. Breakfast provided.
 
November 2, 2022 – HCAOA New Jersey Chapter meeting featuring Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, updates on the NJ Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, and state and national legislation
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Registration fee: $40 for members, $80 for non-members. A networking lunch is provided.
 
November 2, 2022 – HCAOA Southern California Chapter meeting featuring Dept. of Social Services Chief Jennifer Niklas, Bob King of Legally Nanny, and national and state legislative updates
9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Registration fee: $75 for members, $150 for non-members. Breakfast provided.
 
November 3, 2022 – HCAOA Illinois Chapter Annual State Conference featuring IL Dept. of Public Health, Panel on Home Care Technology, New Home Care Regulations, Employment Law Update, state and national legislative updates
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration fee: $225 for members, $450 for non-members. Continental breakfast, full agenda of educational sessions, lunch, and vendor showcase included.
 
November 8, 2022 – HCAOA Webinar: Is Your Financial Plan Ready for 2023?
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., EST
Registration fee: $90 for members, $180 for non-members
 
November 15, 2022 – HCAOA Connecticut Chapter meeting featuring CT Dept. of Consumer Protection discussing background checks, non-solicitation agreements, new laws and enforcement
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Registration fee: $40 for members, $80 for non-members. A networking lunch is provided.
 
December 6, 2022 – HCAOA Webinar: Understanding, Improving and Perfecting Your Client Service Agreement
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Registration fee:  $90 for members, $180 for non-members

​Fifteen labor unions representing more than 40,000 Connecticut state employees announced last week that they plan to seek arbitration to secure special pay for workers who faced considerable health risk during the worst of the pandemic, according to CT Mirror. The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition’s decision comes after periodic discussions over the past year failed to yield an agreement.

​The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced that people can get COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated (bivalent) Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, at no cost, for as long as the federal government continues purchasing and distributing these COVID-19 vaccines. 

​Seasoned CFO Nick Schneider, CPA, from Family Resource Home Care has an extensive background in finance and accounting in the healthcare industry. He will share budgeting best practices and tips for home care agencies as they begin 2023 financial planning.
 
Register now for this helpful webinar on November 8, at 2 p.m. ET, to prepare your financial plan for success in 2023 and years to come. 

HCAOA and the Education Committee uses survey results for 2023 conference planning and we need to hear from you today!
 
The survey is quick and easy! Please click on the following links to respond to the:

• Attendee Survey
• Vendor Survey

Thank you! Your feedback makes HCAOA events excellent!

New York home care providers are encouraged to send a message to their Senators asking for their support of a home care agency tax credit to offset the minimum wage increase for home care workers. Simply click here, enter your home address, and send the pre-written message directly to your Senator.
 
Seniors who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare and depend on the pooled resources of multiple family members to pay for long-term care are being forgotten, Home Care Association of America New York Chapter members say. These seniors, dubbed the “Forgotten Middle,” put a strain on the resources of family caregivers to meet their needs. 

​Doug Robertson is the Director of Healthcare Regulation and Compliance for Right at Home and the 2022 recipient of HCAOA’s Allen Hager Legislative Award. He has 25 years of experience in government affairs, analyzing legislation and an understanding of both corporate and association needs and perspectives.
 
HCAOA interviewed Doug to learn more about why he became involved in HCAOA committee work and his advice to other members.