HCAOA Washington Chapter to Advocate Against Increase in Home Care Aide Fees – Join us to make your voice heard!

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is considering raising home care aide fees from $85 to $100. During the meeting, DOH staff will explain how fees are set and be available for questions. A meeting on this potential fee increase will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., PST. Register for this meeting by clicking here. NOTE: information on fee increases for home care aides will be heard first on the agenda, so plan to be on time.

​Washington state law RCW 43.70.250 requires that the cost of regulating each profession be paid for by that profession’s credential fees. Based on the home care industry’s financial forecast, DOH is considering a fee increase to bring the home care profession’s fund balance into the recommended range. The last fee change occurred in May 2016, increasing the application and renewal fee from $60 to $85 annually.
 
The HCAOA Washington Chapter has expressed concerns to DOH and to legislators about potential fee increases and the barrier it poses to enter the health care field. The HCAOA Washington Chapter will submit testimony at the public hearing and invites other Washington area members to attend as well to share the impact these potential fee increases will have on your business.
 
Please click here for a Cost Driver document produced by DOH that includes more information on the proposed fee changes for the home care industry, as well as budget trends and a financial forecast.
 
If you wish to provide written comments on this potential fee increase, please email HCAOA-WA lobbyist Leslie Emerick at [email protected]. We will work to include your thoughts in our testimony.