The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its 2025 VA fee schedule, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Some areas of the state saw slight increases, many rural areas in Illinois are shouldering significant rate reductions that will dramatically impact access to care for veterans. At these rates, providers will be forced to limit or altogether cease providing care to veterans in these areas of the state. 

HCAOA submitted feedback to the Veterans Administration (VA) at the end of 2024 regarding the 2025 fee schedule. Moving forward, HCAOA will remind members to monitor the fee schedule on a weekly basis, as the VA has been known to adjust the fee schedule without directly notifying providers. We have recently been made aware of updates to the fee schedule in Ohio and Iowa.

HCAOA member Griswold has partnered with Patriot Angels to improve veterans' access to VA Aid & Attendance benefits, designating Griswold as a preferred home care provider for all related inquiries. This collaboration combines Patriot Angels’ expertise in VA benefits with Griswold’s home caregiving network to simplify the process for veterans seeking high-quality home care. The partnership aims to educate veterans on available benefits, as many are unaware of their eligibility. This marks Patriot Angels' first venture into home care, having previously focused on assisted living and senior housing.

HCAOA is proud to celebrate a historic achievement for our nation’s veterans: the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act has passed Congress and is on its way to President Biden’s desk, who is expected to sign it into law! This landmark legislation will significantly enhance home-based care for veterans, including increasing the Veterans Administration's funding for in-home care to match 100% of the cost of nursing home care for veterans. HCAOA’s advocacy played a crucial role in making this a reality, with over 4,000 messages sent to Capitol Hill through its legislative action network. Over the past two years, advocacy efforts included numerous meetings with Veterans Affairs leadership, Congressional Policy Committee staff, in addition to meetings with key legislators during HCAOA's Home Care Advocacy Days.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed changes to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to improve access and support for family caregivers of veterans. The proposed changes would expand eligibility to include more veterans with serious injuries or those who meet individual unemployability standards. Additionally, the program would be reassessed every two years instead of annually, allowing caregivers to continue receiving benefits for a longer period.

HCAOA is excited to announce that the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. This milestone follows over a year of advocacy from thousands of HCAOA members. More than 3,000 messages were sent to Capitol Hill, and hundreds participated in the 2024 HCAOA Home Care Advocacy Day. HCAOA members succeeded in raising awareness about the importance of strengthening services for veterans and their families.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has teamed up with the PenFed Foundation to provide vital support for VA employees and Veterans impacted by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Declared Disasters. Eligible individuals can apply for a $500 grant aimed at helping with home repairs or covering hardship expenses incurred due to damage to their primary residence.

HCAOA reported in June that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that any authorization for community care, including home care, issued after June 28 will be for no more than 180 days in duration. HCAOA recently learned from VA leadership that on June 28, the VA delayed implementation of this change until a future, yet to be determined date.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that any authorization issued after June 28 will be for no more than 180 days in duration, and the VA will be monitoring claim and billing practices by home care agencies to ensure compliance.

Last week, HCAOA CEO Jason Lee provided an update on HCAOA’s efforts around the CMS 80/20 rule during the Home Care Industry Update hosted by Polsinelli. Lee provided an overview of the recent CMS meeting, emphasizing the discussions were collaborative and ongoing advocacy against the 80/20 provision, highlighting HCAOA’s active H.R.8114 letter of support in removing the 80/20 provision. The conversation was productive, fostering continued dialogue with CMS, which is crucial for the industry. Lee also updated on other HCAOA efforts, including meeting with members of Congress on the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House continue to negotiate portions of H.R.8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. ​The legislation encompasses a number of bipartisan and bicameral proposals to reform and improve the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the VA for veterans, their families, and their survivors.

Last week, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a full, joint committee hearing entitled “Heroes at Home: Improving Services for Veterans and their Caregivers.” This was the first joint session of the Committee in over a decade, and the urgent need for improved support systems, legislative action, and accessible resources for veterans and their caregivers were top of mind for the participating legislators.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging announced that it would hold a joint, full committee hearing entitled “Heroes at Home: Improving Services for Veterans and their Caregivers.”