The home-based care industry is experiencing a shift towards data-driven strategies, emphasizing the importance of data maturity. The article introduces a framework known as "crawl, walk, and run" as a guideline for developing data maturity capabilities. In the "crawl" stage, organizations are encouraged to begin with simple, clear goals and utilize existing data efficiently. The "walk" stage involves expanding data insights, connecting data sources, and learning iteratively, while the "run" stage signifies the culmination of data maturity, where organizations are equipped to take meaningful actions based on comprehensive data insights. It highlights the importance of data analytics and the active involvement of all stakeholders in leveraging data for informed decision-making. Agencies that understand where they are on this spectrum can help in implementing changes to achieve business goals.

The Better Medicare Alliance released its 2023 State of Medicare Advantage Report, which shows record-setting enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans. The report highlights several key findings, including the fact that in-home support services provided by Medicare Advantage plans increased 50% between 2022 and 2023. The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in 2023 is at a 16-year low of $18. Beneficiaries report spending significantly less on out-of-pocket costs and premiums annually, resulting in $2,400 in savings, which amounts to 44% less than other Medicare options. Medicare Advantage offers substantial value to both beneficiaries and the federal government, covering all Medicare-covered services for 24% less than Fee-For-Service (FFS) Medicare. Additionally, 95% of beneficiaries are highly satisfied with their coverage. Between 2022 and 2023, in-home support services increased 50%.

AARP's Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) 2023 State Scorecard Report was just released and reveals significant gaps in the care provided to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the United States. Although there has been some overall progress compared to the 2020 update, every state still has areas that require improvement. 

In a bid to modernize and improve services, home care providers are increasingly considering collaboration with their competitors and adopting data-driven approaches. The potential benefits of collaborating with neighboring competitors include sharing knowledge, caregivers, and referral sources. This collaborative approach not only addresses caregiver shortages but also ensures timely and efficient care delivery, ultimately benefiting clients. Furthermore, industry leaders are recognizing the significance of data tracking and sharing. Collaboration in data sharing between agencies, payers, health systems, and other providers can enhance patient satisfaction and promote a seamless continuum of care.

Over the past few months, HCAOA has been working with the team at Careswitch to launch the Home Care Compensation Report, which offers a unique way for you to see detailed compensation data for caregivers, staff, and owners from other home care agencies. Until now, the report has only been available to participants in the survey. However, this report is now available to ALL HCAOA members.

Last week, a new report by Avalere Health and commissioned by Better Medicare Alliance was released examining health outcomes and characteristics of Medicare Advantage and Fee-for-Service Medicare beneficiaries with certain chronic conditions, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

​Eighty-nine percent of providers have had to deny home care because of the workforce crisis. On average, small- and mid-sized providers refuse 510 care hours each month, according to a new study released last week by MissionCare Collective, the parent organization of myCNAjobs. The study also notes that a majority of home care agencies have seen problems surrounding recruitment and retention worsen in the past six months.

HCAOA is urging ALL member agencies to complete a brief survey by the end of the day this Friday, June 16 to help our association advocate on your behalf regarding CMS’ new proposed rule that would require agencies to allocate 80% of their Medicaid reimbursement to worker wages. While the survey contains Medicaid related questions, HCAOA asks that ALL agencies respond regardless of whether or not they do Medicaid-related work.

​Medicare Advantage beneficiaries living in a metro area are more likely to be enrolled in a plan offering at least one supplemental service, such as in-home care, than in rural areas across the U.S., according to new data released last week by ATI Advisory. The data was presented during the biannual meeting of the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) Leadership Circle, which HCAOA sits on alongside representatives from the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA), the Administration for Community Living (ACL) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the SCAN Foundation, and others.

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​CMS has announced the first-ever home and community-based services (HCBS) quality measure set. This voluntary measure set is intended to promote consistent quality metrics within and across state Medicaid HCBS programs.

​Last week, the Better Medicare Alliance released we just released the 2022 State of Medicare Advantage report, which compiles the latest research and data to deliver a comprehensive picture of the Medicare Advantage experience today – from beneficiary demographics and enrollment trends to supplemental benefit offerings and consumer savings, to health outcomes and bipartisan support in Washington.

​Without data, your home care agency may fall behind. The healthcare and health insurance reimbursement landscape is changing rapidly. From the changes in Medicare Advantage plans in 2018 to the spotlight on home care provided by the pandemic and our rapidly aging population, healthcare providers’ and insurers’ interest in the potential benefits of home care has grown and will continue.