​Supplemental benefits, which include services like in-home care, in Medicare Advantage continue to expand for the 2023 coverage year, according to a new report from the Better Medicare Alliance and the actuarial consulting firm, Milliman. 

Vote today for your 2023 slate of HCAOA Directors. Voting closes today at 5 p.m., PST. Each agency/office location has one vote. The primary contact should have received the ballot via email. If you did not receive your ballot, please email info@hcaoa.org immediately to have one forwarded to you.

​The HCAOA Ohio Chapter meeting on Wednesday, December 7, has been postponed until 2023. HCAOA and Ohio Chapter leadership are developing a written update on the new home care licensure and regulations in Ohio and this information will be sent out to Chapter members shortly. 

​Begin the New Year with a freshly updated client service agreement based on expert, legal recommendations for a fraction of the price. Your agency’s client service agreement ensures your business receives payment and provides protection from liability. 

Tune in on December 15, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., EST, to hear a legal update tailored for the Home-Based Care Industry (home health, home care, and hospice providers) from Polsinelli, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC). ​

​The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the hard launch of Wisconsin’s electronic visit verification (EVV) requirement for personal care services will begin on May 1, 2023.

After the hard launch, the Wisconsin DHS will impose consequences when EVV information is not captured for required personal care and supportive home care services (service codes T1019, T1020, S5125, and S5126). 

​Is your organization taking advantage of all that your HCAOA membership offers?
 
As organizations receive their notices for membership renewal time, HCAOA encourages members to also revisit the benefits and discounts that are available as part of HCAOA membership.
 
In addition to HCAOA advocating, educating, informing, connecting, or promoting the home care industry and our members, HCAOA has also thoughtfully culminated a list partners, vendors, benefits, and discounts to help home care businesses.

Pamela Brown, Director of Investigations for the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), and Staff Attorney Ryan Burns, discussed new criminal background check requirements for employees of HCAs and the recently adopted ban on non-solicitation provisions (‘no-hire’ clauses) in client service agreements last week at the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter meeting. The more than 70 attendees at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel, in Rocky Hill, learned there is no official legal opinion on whether the non-solicitation ban applies retroactively, according to Brown and Burns.
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Join fellow Washington Chapter HCAOA members at the final meeting of 2022 on Tuesday, December 13, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. This virtual meeting is offered at no cost for HCAOA members.

​Jensen Jones, MBA, CEO of Jensen Morgan & Jones LLC & Mastermind Facilitator for Home Care CEO Forum, will discuss the biggest topic affecting providers in 2022--caregiver recruitment and retention at the December HCAOA Washington Chapter meeting.

​Last week, HCAOA’s VP of Government Relations Eric Reinarman and HCAOA federal lobbyist Patrick Cooney met with Eva DuGoff and Drew Crouch of the United States Senate Committee on Finance to advocate for the passage of the EARN Act and the Homecare for Seniors Act, both of which have been HCAOA legislative priorities this year.

Jensen Jones, MBA, CEO of Jensen Morgan & Jones LLC & Mastermind Facilitator for Home Care CEO Forum, will discuss the biggest topic affecting providers in 2022--caregiver recruitment and retention at the December HCAOA Washington Chapter meeting.
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All HCAOA members in Washington state are invited to the virtual meeting on Tuesday, December 13, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

​Home care workers and family caregivers work best as a unified force, according to Greg Link, HHS Director of Caregiver Services for the Administration for Community Living. Link reviewed the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers during HCAOA’s webinar on Monday, emphasizing that home care has a large role to play in supporting family caregivers, which, in turn, will benefit client outcomes. Specifically, Link encouraged HCAOA members to, “…look for opportunities to strengthen recognition of and support for family caregivers.”

​With the signing of AB1720, California Governor Gavin Newsom took an important step in reducing government barriers to caregiving jobs that frequently block qualified caregivers with past conviction records. The new law requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to streamline its process for workers with records to obtain an “exemption” to work.

​Members should have received a 2023 Home Care Association of America renewal email within the past two weeks. Please renew today!
 
HCAOA membership makes a difference. Whether advocating, educating, informing, connecting, or promoting, HCAOA works hard for your organization and the home care industry.