Home Care Voice Blog

​Last week, HCAOA’s Northern California, Southern California, Illinois and New Jersey Chapters held meetings to share important state and federal updates, connect attendees with state officials and with other HCAOA members, and discuss issues that impact home care in each state.
 
Here are a few photos from each of the chapter meetings. We hope to see you at the next event!

​Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asked the public for comment on a proposed rule considering changes to simplify the processes for eligible individuals to enroll and retain eligibility in Medicaid.
 
In response, HCAOA wrote a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to assist CMS in developing a final rule that would consider the growing importance of HCBS within our nation’s health care continuum. To read the letter, click here.

HCAOA is constantly watching many bills in Washington, D.C. Two bills that HCAOA supports are close to passing, but HCAOA needs your help to get them across the finish line!

Help us share the importance of the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act (H.R. 6823) and the Enhancing America Retirement Now (EARN) Act (S. 4808) bills with our legislators.

2022 is coming to a close, and the new year will be here before we know it. While many states, cities and counties pass employment laws and regulations at any time, the first day of a new year is still the number one day for new employment laws to take effect. 2023 will be no exception. 
 
HCAOA Associate Member Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI) provides its annual summary of some of the notable compliance obligations employers will soon face here. 

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the CDC have selected organizations to participate in the Community Care Hub National Learning Community (NLC). The organizations will participate in shared learning, information and resource sharing, and technical assistance coordination to address health-related social needs and public health needs through contracts with health care entities.

​Yesterday, the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) announced a new campaign to take a pulse check on America’s family caregivers and their mental and emotional well-being.
 
As a part of NAC’s current project on advancing the mental well-being of family caregivers, they have opened a phone and texting line for family caregivers to call or text and leave messages in order to tell their story and share how they’re feeling.

​An agency’s client service agreement is the foundation of the business. It’s what gets you paid and helps protect you from liability. Every client sees it and it is a reflection on your company.
 
Join HCAOA and Bob King, attorney and founder of Legally Nanny, for an informative webinar on Tuesday, December 6, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., EST.
 
This informative, highly-interactive presentation will review provisions that are critical to have in a client service agreement, as well as terms that should not be included.

May 2023 is the deadline for Connecticut home care providers to enroll in the new CONNIE network. Ensure your agency is prepared!
 
To help members prepare, the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter and the Connecticut Association for Health Care at Home have partnered to present a webinar titled, “CONNIE 101 for Medicaid Home Care Providers: How the State will Oversee Quality Metrics and Benchmarks for Value-Based Payments.” 

This webinar will be held on Thursday, December 13, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., EST, and is free for HCAOA members.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT 

Most Veterans, spouses and their families are not aware of an additional monthly income from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that helps pay for the cost home care. If a Veteran or Surviving Spouse meets the VA’s Aid and Attendance eligibility criteria: Military, Medical, Income & Assets, they can receive up to $31,704 annually in 2023.
 
Join a free educational webinar on November 22, at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, hosted by AidandAttendance.com to gain an understanding of the four criteria. Attendees will learn to understand when and how they should apply. It’s never too early, or too late, to explore this little-known home care payment option for a client or loved one. REGISTER HERE
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Submitted by ACL

Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers.
 
The national observance is led by Caregiver Action Network (CAN), a nonprofit that provides free education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers. CAN selected the 2022 theme, #CaregivingHappens, to acknowledge the reality that family caregiving is not always convenient or expected.

​The Connecticut state mandate for home care providers to enroll in the new CONNIE network has presented questions and concerns to HCAOA members. Home health care agencies are required to register with CONNIE by May 2023.
 
In response, HCAOA’s Connecticut Chapter is partnering with the Connecticut Association for Health Care at Home to present a webinar on Thursday, December 13, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., EST. The webinar is free for HCAOA members.

​On Tuesday, December 6, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., EST, acclaimed speaker Bob King, attorney and founder of Legally Nanny, will share how to understand, improve and perfect a home care agency’s foundational document—their client service agreement. This informative presentation will review the provisions that are critical to have in a client service agreement, as well as terms that should not be included.

​Learn more about the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council’s National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, how policy decisions affect family caregivers, and ways home care providers can enhance client outcomes and the overall home care experience at this informative webinar on November 14, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., EST.

Caregivers are the lifeblood of the home care industry. We believe what's good for our caregivers is good for our businesses. HCAOA and our members support the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Act, but have requested amendments to exempt home care professionals.
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If this bill is passed without an exemption for caregiving professionals, live-in care will become virtually impossible to provide. Live-in care in NJ is a significantly valued service that is relied upon by countless vulnerable, frail seniors and their families.
 
Nearly 400 HCAOA members shared this message with the NJ legislative committee. Additionally, Andrea Sussman, HCAOA NJ Chapter Chair and Larry Aronson, HCAOA NJ Chapter board member, testified in front of the committee on behalf of members. The lobbyist retained by HCAOA on behalf of New Jersey
 
Efforts like these are made possible by the HCAOA Advocacy Fund. Please consider using your year-end giving to donate to the HCAOA Advocacy Fund.