 Several of HCAOA’s State Chapters took action this week, sending letters to their State Medicaid Directors to offer suggestions about how to use the available 10% FMAP increase for Medicaid home and community-based services. CMS recently provided guidance to states about how they can use the federal funds to supplement, not supplant, existing state funds for Medicaid effective April 1, 2021. In the letter, HCAOA Chapters state the industry’s biggest concern and primary suggestion is use the funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services and private duty nursing so agencies can adequately recruit and retain essential workers to provide critical care at home to patients and clients The letter offers several other suggestions to enhance, expand, or strengthen Medicaid HCBS, including hazard pay, overtime pay, and shift differential pay for home care workers, new or additional Medicaid HCBS services especially during the pandemic, and support for family caregivers. To date, the Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, Arizona, South Carolina and Connecticut Chapters have sent letters, with others to follow.
You can read one of the full letters here.  Two years ago this month, the Legislature passed and Governor Whitmer signed legislation that would overhaul the state’s No Fault insurance system that had been in place since 1972. The primary components of the package were choice, a rate freeze and mandatory cuts in rates for insurance companies, and a fee schedule for services performed on behalf of those injured in a car accident. Additionally, the reform set in place a medical fee schedule that set rates for what hospitals and rehabilitation clinics can charge under the No Fault system. While there are some variations in what the fee schedule pays based on percentage of indigent care, the average payment for a procedure with a code under Medicare will receive 200% of what Medicare normally pays. If there is not a Medicare code, then the provider will be paid 55% of whatever their rate was in January of 2019. As part of the fee schedule, a limit was placed on attendant care at 56 hours per week.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced specific metrics on Thursday tying the percentage of Michigan residents who receive the COVID-19 vaccine to a phased approach of lifting capacity and gathering limits and restrictions on everything from working at home requirements to indoor sports stadiums, funeral homes, bars, restaurants, and retailers.  Over the past several weeks, HCAOA has worked with state chapters to drive recognition for the direct care workers who have kept the country's most vulnerable populations safe at home throughout the pandemic. Georgia, Michigan, California and Illinois all have passed resolutions to honor these important caregivers. HCAOA state chapters in Michigan and California both held successful virtual lobby days this week. Washington held virtual lobby days a few weeks ago, and the Connecticut Chapter has its virtual lobby days coming up in April.
 The HCAOA Michigan Chapter invites you to join us for our first ever Virtual Lobby Day on March 23! Interact with key legislators and decision makers and educate them on our industry and the value we bring to our customers. read more HCAOA Michigan Chapter Chair, Russ Knopp, created an incentive program at his agency to encourage the staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
 Governor Whitmer recently released her third budget, which builds on the Michigan COVID Recovery Plan she has already laid out. For direct health care workers, Michigan is permanently extending the $2 per hour wage increase. In addition, there will be $19 million for the MiChoice program expansion to provide alternatives to nursing home care by increasing slots for Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver services (increase of 1,000 slots). read more
 There is significant variation in each county’s vaccine rollout plan, so Michigan home care agencies are encouraged to contact their local health departments about getting workers included in the vaccine prioritization round.
 Connecticut: Chapter Continues Advocacy for Medicaid Rate Increase
The HCAOA Connecticut State Chapter continues to advocate for an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for home care providers. In a major disappointment, the Department of Social Services recently posted on its website a modest increase in reimbursement and then withdrew it, purportedly to await the results of its provider rate cost survey and study. Joe Markley of Companions & Homemakers has led the advocacy efforts of the Chapter’s DSS Medicaid committee, forming a coalition of organizations supporting an increase, drafting a letter to the Governor in support and lobbying state officials. |
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© 2025 Home Care Association of America. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy