Home Care
Medicare FFS Improper Payment Rate Announced for FY 2024
December 20, 2024CMS has released the national Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) improper payment rate for FY 2024, as reported in the HHS Agency Financial Report. The improper payment rate stands at 7.66%, representing…
ODP Bulletins & Key Updates
December 20, 2024See below a summary of key ODP bulletins and updates released since our last Connections edition: The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has been expanded to include Medically Complex Conditions…
CMS Approves CHC Waiver Renewal – Effective January 1, 2025
December 20, 2024The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver renewal. The renewal is effective January 1, 2025. The current…
Get Ready for the Re-Launch of the My Learning Center
December 20, 2024Exciting updates are coming to PHA’s My Learning Center (MLC) platform, soon to be powered by Nevvon! As part of our continued efforts to enhance user experience and make training…
NEW: 2025 Recruitment Transformation Challenge
December 20, 2024Unlock top talent with our 2025 Recruitment Transformation Challenge! This learning series delivers actionable recruitment strategies from industry expert Leigh Davis, whose job posts were ranked #1 and #2 by…
On December 10, 2024, the Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 4776). The legislation was sent to the House where it is currently reported as…
What’s Behind Our Budget Request?
December 20, 2024Every year the Commonwealth’s budget process presents its own unique obstacles, and this year is no different. No matter how much revenue Pennsylvania has, balancing and delivering on priorities, and…
Grassroots Campaign: Sign up to Advocate for Needed Rate Increases!
December 20, 2024As 2024 draws to a close, 2025 reimbursement rate advocacy is ramping up! With another tight budget year ahead, the need for amplified and regular grassroots advocacy in your local…
PHA Hires Public Relations Firm to Support 2025-2026 Budget Request
December 20, 2024In support of our ongoing efforts to advocate for meaningful reimbursement rate increases, PHA has officially engaged Global Strategy Group (GSG) to help amplify our message. GSG brings a wealth…
Happy Holidays from PHA!
December 20, 2024We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, business partners, and board members for your unwavering support and dedication. Your commitment has been the cornerstone of our success. Wishing you…
Renew Your Membership & Advocate With Us in 2025!
December 20, 2024Renew your membership with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association and be part of a transformative year! We need your commitment and dedication to advocate for meaningful change to reimbursement rates and…
Renew Your Membership for an Exciting 2025 with PHA!
December 8, 2024It’s time to renew your membership with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association for the 2025 calendar year! 2025 will be a pivotal year for advocacy, putting your membership dollars to work….
Share a Home Care Patient Story
December 8, 2024PHA is seeking member support to share patient stories to support 2025 advocacy efforts. Stories can be shared directly by a patient or by a representative who is willing to…
This November, a federal judge in Texas blocked enforcement of the federal government’s overtime rule, determining that the Department of Labor exceeded its authority in increasing the minimum salary for exemption…
CMS Updates Medicaid Eligibility Standards for 2025
December 8, 2024The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to Medicaid income and asset standards effective in 2025. Key changes include: Access the bulletin with full details https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib11152024.pdf.
OLTL Rate Study: Results to Be Released in February
December 8, 2024At the December 4 Long Term Services and Supports Sub Committee meeting, the Office of Long-Term-Living (OLTL) announced that the long-awaited rate study results . . . will have to…
CHC System Bug Affects MCO Assignment Accuracy
December 8, 2024The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PADHS) has identified a bug in its eligibility system, affecting the assignment accuracy of CHC-MCOs for existing Community HealthChoices (CHC) participants. This issue may…
OLTL Adds Chore & Teleservices to CHC
December 8, 2024The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) announced new services available January 1, 2025, due to the CHC Waiver Renewal and OBRA Waiver Amendment. These include Chore Services (CHC only), Teleservice…
ODP Bulletins & Key Updates
December 8, 2024See below a summary of key ODP bulletins and updates released since our last Connections edition: ODPANN 24-114: Now Open: Certified Investigator (CI) Initial Certification Course The Office of Developmental…
Introducing PHA’s Caregiver Resource Hub
November 17, 2024Caring for others is a rewarding but challenging job, and Pennsylvania’s caregivers deserve every tool available to make their work easier and more fulfilling. That’s why we’ve created the Caregiver…
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Non-Discrimination Notice Requirement
November 17, 2024On May 5, 2024, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued in the Federal Register a final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination on…
ODP Providers: Here’s What You Need to Know!
November 17, 2024Here’s a quick rundown of essential updates for providers serving individuals with developmental disabilities, including announcements from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and a survey opportunity from Penn State…
CMS Leadership National Update: November 20, 2024
November 17, 2024Join the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and her leadership team, who will provide an update on CMS’ recent accomplishments and how their…
TAKE ACTION: Make Home Care A Priority in Upcoming Budget
November 3, 2024Direct care workers are Pennsylvania’s frontline caregivers, yet the Commonwealth’s funding lags behind all of our neighbors— including being nearly 25% behind West Virginia. This underfunding limits the ability to…
November 14th Event: Empowering Caregivers: A Discussion Hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women
November 3, 2024On Thursday, November 14th, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women and the PA Department of Aging will host an in-person AND virtual event Empowering Caregivers: A Discussion Hosted by the…
LTSS Subcommittee Convenes November 6th: Reviews FINAL CHC Waiver Renewal and OBRA Waiver Amendment
November 3, 2024On November 6th, the LTSS Subcommittee will convene, with an important update from the Office of Long-Term Living reviewing the FINAL changes resulting from the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver renewal…
REMINDER: OLTL Provider Survey Due November 15th
November 3, 2024Contribute valuable insights that will shape future payment rates! The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has re-opened the Calendar Year 2023 Rate Study Survey to support the ongoing OLTL rate…
ODP Updates
November 3, 2024Stay informed with these key updates released by ODP in October: ODPANN 22-083: ODP ARPA Grant Fund Reimbursement Deadline Extension The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has provided important updates…
HCBS Quality Improvement Funding Opportunity
November 3, 2024The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is offering funding to improve Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for Adult Daily Living providers and Specialized Medical Equipment…
Regional Meetings: Now Headed to Philadelphia!
October 20, 2024The recent Regional Meetings in Cranberry Township and our Virtual session were a resounding success! With over 150 attendees across both events, we saw excellent participation and engagement from our…
Introducing the first-of-its-kind Homecare Benchmarking report, presented by Caribou, PHA, and HHAeXchange
October 20, 2024In the ever-evolving homecare industry, understanding key performance metrics is crucial for agencies to thrive and provide the highest quality of care. To support Pennsylvania’s home care agencies, the Pennsylvania…
Are You FLSA Compliant with Travel Time, Break Time, and Off Duty Time? Turn on this HHAeXchange Feature!
October 20, 2024Consider this scenario: A home care worker has a 30-minute gap between two clients. It takes them 15 minutes to travel between the two cases. You already know that the…
Order 4 FREE COVID Tests for Your Family
October 20, 2024The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service has reopened COVIDtests.gov so…
Hurricane Helene has devastated the Carolinas and surrounding areas. Home health, home care, and hospice providers report that the evacuation happened so quickly that they are struggling to find their…
Celebrating Hospice & Palliative Care Day on October 12
October 6, 2024PHA recognizes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on October 12. This global day highlights the critical role of hospice and palliative care in enhancing the quality of life for…
Mission Moment: Lisa Giovanni
October 6, 2024Watch this powerful Mission Moment from former PHA Board President, Lisa Giovanni. Want to be featured and inspire others with your Mission Moment? Click here to submit yours!
Don’t Miss This FREE Event Coming To You!
October 6, 2024Don’t Miss This FREE Event Coming To You! 📅 WEST: October 16 @ 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Members Only 📅 EAST: October 23 @ 10 a.m. – 2:30…
HHAeXchange is hosting a special Caregiver Award initiative in honor of National Homecare & Hospice Month, and we encourage you to get involved! This is a wonderful chance to highlight…
Empower Your Team with PHA Member Portal Access
October 6, 2024Did you know that PHA Member Portal is available to your entire team! There’s no limit to how many employees you can enroll, ensuring everyone in your organization can benefit…
HHAeXchange Acquires Sandata
October 6, 2024On October 3, 2024, HHAeXchange CEO, Paul Joiner, announced the acquisition of Sandata Technologies. As a leading home care software solution in Pennsylvania for providers and managed care organizations, HHAeXchange’s…
(OLTL) is conducting a rate and wage study with the support of Mercer Government Human Services Consulting. PHA is hopeful the results of this study will inform advocacy efforts as we strive for reimbursement enhancements in 2025.
ODP Roundup
October 6, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs released a number of critical bulletins recently. Make sure you did not miss key rate, waiver amendment, and webinar information by reviewing PHA’s ODP Roundup.
Home Care Caucus Hosted September 11
September 20, 2024On September 11, 2024, PHA hosted a virtual Home Care Caucus meeting for key legislative champions of the industry. This was an opportunity to highlight the reimbursement issues that are…
EVV Compliance Rates Are Increasing to 85%!
September 20, 2024This is a reminder that the EVV Compliance rate for home health and personal care services is increasing from 50% to 85% on January 1, 2025. Providers should be working diligently…
PHA Testifies at OAPSA Senate Hearing
September 20, 2024On September 18, CJ Rambler, President of PHA’s Board of Directors, testified in front of a joint session of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee and the Senate Banking &…
Mission Moment: Anja Miller, Guthrie Hospice
September 20, 2024Watch this powerful Mission Moment from Anja Miller. Want to be featured and inspire others with your Mission Moment? Click here to submit yours!
Mergers & Acquisitions: Navigating M&A in Pennsylvania: Strategies, Trends, and Legal Insights
September 20, 2024Join us on October 24 at The Alloy in King of Prussia, PA, for an exclusive in-person event designed for professionals navigating the mergers and acquisitions landscape. This full-day event…
Help Support Home-Based Care for Those in Need!
September 20, 2024In 2024, the Pennsylvania Foundation for Home Care and Hospice is proud to have granted home-based care funding to more than 50 individuals through our Home Care Grant program. These individuals…
Vitable: PHA Exclusive Discounts for TB Blood Tests
September 20, 2024PHA has partnered with Vitable Health, bringing our members exclusive discounts on QuantiFERON TB tests. Through this partnership, members can purchase TB tests quarterly at a discounted rate through Vitable,…
Guest Column: Caregiver Workforce Trends by Care Connect
September 20, 2024Guest Column: Caregiver Workforce Trends by Care Connect Addressing the Shifts in Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention In recent months, the caregiver landscape has experienced a notable shift. While the number…