Big Win for Illinois Providers – Great Work Chapter Leaders

Last week, the HCAOA Illinois Chapter’s advocacy efforts to expand the services that home services agencies are permitted to do paid off, when Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) approved most of the changes proposed by the Chapter. JCAR is the legislative committee in Illinois whose role is to ensure that the General Assembly is adequately informed of how laws are implemented through agency rulemaking and to facilitate public understanding of rules and regulations.
 
The Illinois Chapter took the lead on negotiations between stakeholders and the Illinois Department of Public Health to implement needed revisions to the existing regulations.  The discussions with IDPH focused on expanding the scope of non-medical services permitted to be completed by licensed home service agencies and their home service workers.   

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​With a seismic increase in older adults choosing to remain in their home settings longer, these negotiated revisions and agreed upon expanded scope of available services were (and remain) critical to safely address the ongoing needs of this important growing older population.
 
According to HCAOA IL Chapter Chair Karen Stephenson, members of the chapter board were extremely focused on seeing this effort through to the very end. 
 
“We held numerous meetings with Adam Guestow, HCAOA’s attorney for this project, to develop recommended changes that reflect the needs of seniors who want to remain in their own homes as they age,” explained Stephenson. “In the past, the restrictive interpretation of the regulations made it very difficult to provide the necessary services that clients and their families need. I am so proud to be part of this group of members who are focused on working together for the benefit of the entire Illinois home care community.” 
 
Some of the major changes include permitting home services agencies to accept clients who require complete repositioning, changing oxygen delivery systems and other broader interpretations for bathing and shampooing.

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​Virtual Meeting Scheduled for June 21 to Review Changes to IL Regulations
 
To educate and help agencies prepare for these changes, the Chapter will hold a special virtual meeting on June 21, from 9:30-11 a.m. CT. 
 
“We want to make certain that HCAOA members are one step ahead of others by educating everyone on these changes as soon as possible,” said Stephenson. “Attorney Adam Guestow will provide an overview of the changes and Mike and Joan O’Brien, Independence 4 Seniors, will take us through the changes step by step.”
 
Click here to register now.
 
HCAOA extends its appreciation and congratulations to Karen Stephenson, Home Instead, Katie Fielmann, ComfortKeepers, Mike and Joan O’Brien, Independence 4 Seniors, Tricia Mullen, SASI-Chicago Methodist Senior Services, Jamie Farias, Lifestyle Options, Mike Steiner, Right at Home, and Mike Mellinger, Home Instead for this successful effort!