Home Health
Home Health Care Survey Results Now Available
December 20, 2024The latest Preview Reports reflecting results from the Home Health Care CAHPS (HHCAHPS) Survey, covering July 2023 through June 2024 (Q3 2023–Q2 2024), are now accessible on homehealthcahps.org. These reports…
NOW AVAILABLE- Final OASIS-E1 Time Points Instruments
December 20, 2024The final OMB-approved OASIS-E1 time points Instruments, effective 1/1/2025, are now available in a zip file in the Downloads section of the OASIS Data Sets webpage. A change table OASIS-E1 Instruments March 2024 – December…
Quarterly Credit Balance Reports No Longer Required
December 20, 2024Starting December 1, 2024, providers aren’t required to submit Credit Balance Reports (CMS-838) on a quarterly basis. You’re still required to report self-identified overpayments, but you should only use a Credit…
CGS Announces January “Dark Days” for Common Working File Host
December 20, 2024The Common Working File (CWF) will observe a Gray Day on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and Dark Days from Friday, January 3, through Sunday, January 5, to install the January…
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…
Revised Home Health Change of Care Notice Form Effective February 1
December 20, 2024CMS has released a revised Home Health Change of Care Notice (HHCCN) form. Starting February 1, 2025, you must use the revised form to notify Medicare Fee-for-Service patients getting home health…
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…
MedPAC Recommends Adjustments to Home Health and Hospice Payments
December 20, 2024On December 13, 2024, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) presented draft recommendations to Congress for adjusting Medicare payment rates for home health and hospice services. While MedPAC’s role is…
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…
PHA Seeks HHA Trainers: Become a Home Health Aide (HHA) Training Site through the DLI Grant
December 8, 2024PHA is seeking applications from member agencies interested in becoming a Home Health Aide (HHA) training site as part of our Department of Labor and Industry grant. To ensure high-quality…
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.
“Ready PA”: A Website for Emergency Preparedness and Management
December 8, 2024This past week, Erie County experienced unprecedented lake effect snowfall amounting to 6 feet of snow! Governor Shapiro issued a disaster proclamation, and multiple states of emergency were declared for…
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…
CY 2025 Home Health Payment Rate Update
December 8, 2024CMS has released a new MLN Matters article detailing updates to the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) effective January 1, 2025. Key changes include: Home health providers should…
New OIG Report Finds Home Health Agencies Complied with Provider Relief Fund Requirements
December 8, 2024A new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) shows that selected home health agencies (HHAs) followed the rules for using Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments. The PRF program…
January 2025 HH PPS Grouper Software Update Now Available
December 8, 2024The January 2025 release of the Home Health PPS Grouper Software (v06.0.25) is now live. Access it in the CMS Downloads section. Key Updates include: More Information:
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…
Guest Column: Seizing Opportunities in Continuing Home Health Care under Medicare Part B: A Path for Pennsylvania Agencies
November 17, 2024By: Ana Handshuh & Julie Kennedy, RubyWell The demand for home health services in Pennsylvania continues to grow as its population ages. Currently, one in four Pennsylvanians is over 60,…
ICYMI: Home Health Final Rule Recap
November 17, 2024CMS has released the final rule for the 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System, with updates that are more favorable than the initial proposal. These changes cover cost adjustments, payment…
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…
CMS Shares Resources for Home Care & Hospice Month
November 17, 2024In recognition of Home Care & Hospice Month, CMS highlighted key home health and hospice resources in this week’s MLN Connects newsletter. They also released an important change in Checking…
On November 7, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted its Home Health, Hospice, and DME Open Door Forum, sharing critical updates for providers. Below is a…
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…
PHA Provides Additional OAPSA Testimony
November 3, 2024In her second testimony before a joint session of the Senate Aging and Youth and Senate Banking and Insurance Committees, PHA’s Board President CJ Rambler voiced concerns about proposed OAPSA…
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…
October Home Health Care Compare Refresh Now Live
November 3, 2024The October 2024 quarterly refresh for the Home Health Quality Reporting Program is now available on Care Compare. This update includes revisions to Home Health (HH) Outcome and Assessment Information…
CMS Issues Non-Compliance Notifications for Home Health Agencies
November 3, 2024Attention home health agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began notifying agencies identified as non-compliance with the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP) for the 2025 Annual…
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…
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…
In order to gather responses from providers that were not able to submit previously, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has re-opened the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 rate study survey…
CMS Issues Change Request to Allow Home Health Telehealth Services During Inpatient Stays
October 20, 2024On October 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Change Request 13812 to revise Medicare claims processing. This change allows non-paid telehealth visits to be reported…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved amendments to the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) effective January 1, 2025. A webinar will be hosted on November 8, 2024 at…
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…