​Two new reports released by PHI provide important data about direct care workers.  

With changing public health initiatives, home care service regulations, and employment laws, staying abreast of the current requirements for home care can feel overwhelming. 

The full-day conference hosted by the HCAOA Illinois Chapter on Thursday, November 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT, will provide information, Q&A opportunities, networking, as well as continental breakfast, lunch and a vendor showcase.

​The Administration for Community Living (ACL) will host a webinar on Friday, September 23, at 2:00 p.m. ET, on when and how to invite and/or provide feedback on state efforts to comply with the Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule. 

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asked industry stakeholders for their thoughts on how to strengthen Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in ways that align with CMS’ Vision for Medicare and their Strategic Pillars. As more and more MA plans include home care in their offerings, HCAOA made it a priority to send extensive comments to CMS—which you can read here.

In 2020, Florida voters approved an initiative to increase the state's minimum wage incrementally until reaching $15 per hour in September 2026. Florida’s home care regulator, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), is currently in the process of figuring out how and to whom this increase will apply within the home care industry. 

Effective October 1, the Ohio Department of Health will require all home health agencies or non-agency providers who provide non-medical health services to be licensed. 

Emina Poricanin, Managing Attorney for Poricanin Law, will be the featured speaker for the virtual NY State Chapter meeting on Wednesday, September 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Her firm is dedicated to representing healthcare providers in all legal matters.​ ​

​Two California Chapter meetings featuring the same compelling agenda and speakers will be held in November.

​Today the Home Care Association of America named Katrice Turner of Absolute Companion Care in Monkton, MD, as the 2022 Caregiver of the Year. Turner was selected as the top home caregiver in the country from more than 300 caregivers from nearly all 50 states. She will be recognized at a special luncheon event during the HCAOA Annual Leadership Conference this Sunday, September 18.

​On September 12, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced that people with Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, private insurance coverage, or no health coverage can get COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, at no cost, for as long as the federal government continues purchasing and distributing these COVID-19 vaccines.

​Several HCAOA Connecticut members have been appointed to serve on a task force to study issues concerning homemaker-companion agencies. ​The 12-member task force was established by Special Act 22-12. 

​On Thursday, October 20, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., the HCAOA Wisconsin Chapter will hold a virtual meeting featuring critical updates on several issues impacting home care in the state.

​On September 6, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) presented a proposal to revise its standard for determining joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act again. The importance of this change is significant and can have profound consequences for employers.

While home care workers do not currently qualify as health care workers, this initiative is being closely watched by HCAOA, HCAOA California Chapter members and our lobbyist in case it comes our way.
 
California’s health care workers’ union has been advocating for a statewide $25 minimum wage, but the efforts collapsed last week. Some were for the increase, claiming it would provide better compensation for workers and relief for hospitals and budget deals. Others warned that the deal would imperil workers and trade wages for patient safety.

Members in South Carolina are invited to participate in a Chapter meeting on Wednesday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. This virtual meeting will include an update on labor law requirements for employers.
 
This session is free to all HCAOA members, and registration is required. Click here to register.