Home Health
Summary of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
January 17, 2025The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law on January 2, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to improve the quality and accessibility…
Delayed VA Payments from Optum
January 17, 2025Providers of VA services may have experienced delayed payments for 2025 dates of service in recent weeks. The delay was due to Optum needing additional time to test the new…
Prompt Payment Interest Rate: January – June 2025
January 17, 2025CGS must pay interest on clean claims not subject to the periodic interim payment (PIP) mechanism if payment isn’t made within 30 days after the receipt date. The Treasury Department…
DOH RSV Notice
January 17, 2025Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is rapidly increasing in PA, especially in young children and older adults who could be protected by vaccinations. The Department of Health recommends that providers should…
ODP Bulletins & Key Updates
January 17, 2025Calling All Home-Based Care Agencies: Participate in the 2025 Activated Insights Benchmarking Report Survey
January 17, 2025Join the hundreds of providers nationwide improving the industry by participating in the 2025 Activated Insights Benchmarking Report. Your confidential responses will help shape industry dialogue across North America and…
Action Needed: Help Shape the Next 5-Year State Plan
January 17, 2025The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is developing its next 5-year State Plan. To understand the current barriers and concerns for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Pennsylvania,…
Are you currently training Home Health Aides (HHAs) at your agency? If so, here’s your chance to elevate your efforts and be reimbursed for the training you’re already conducting! If…
NOW AVAILABLE IN iQIES – Preview Reports and Star Rating Preview Reports for the April 2025 Refresh
January 17, 2025For this refresh, Home Health (HH) Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) measures have been updated. For additional information, please see the HH Quality Reporting Training webpage and the Home Health Data Submission…
Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP) Updates and OASIS Submission Requirements
January 17, 2025The January 2025 refresh for the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP) includes several key updates. New measures have been introduced, such as the Transfer of Health Information (patient and…
Home Health Rate Update Rule Corrections
January 17, 2025CMS has issued a correction notice for the CY 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule. The notice addresses typographical and technical errors in several tables and discussions, including:…
Upcoming Mandatory Training and Performance Report Updates for Home Health Providers
January 17, 2025A mandatory live update webinar training session for HHCAHPS vendors is scheduled for January 30, 2025, from 12:00–2:00 pm. All approved vendors must attend, and registration is available on the…
Employers Must Post OSHA Form 300A by February 1st and Submit Electronically by March 2nd
January 17, 2025As a reminder, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules require most employers to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA requires covered employers to complete forms throughout…
Level Up Your Expertise: Upcoming Education Sessions
January 17, 2025Explore our upcoming education sessions to gain fresh insights, practical solutions, and actionable strategies for success. From compliance essentials and workforce recruitment to operational efficiencies and pediatric care, these sessions…
Celebrate Excellence in Home-Based Healthcare with Magic Moments
January 17, 2025PHA and Caribou Rewards are proud to announce Magic Moments, a year-round program honoring the dedicated professionals who bring compassion and excellence to home-based healthcare in Pennsylvania. What is Magic…
Up to $2,500 in Grant Funding for Agencies Servicing Perry, Cumberland, Franklin, and Adams Counties!
January 17, 2025Thanks to the generous support of the Partnership for Better Health, the Pennsylvania Foundation for Home Care and Hospice is thrilled to announce the extension of the South Central PA…
CMS has improved the Home Health Change of Care Notice (HHCCN) form’s readability and design. Starting February 1, 2025, the revised form must be used to notify Medicare Fee-for-Service patients…
CMS Releases Fact Sheet, Updated Resources in Preparation for All-Payer Transition for OASIS
January 5, 2025Starting July 1, 2025, Home Health Agencies must collect and submit OASIS data for all patients, regardless of payer, who are not exempt from data collection. This includes all OASIS…
CMS Releases Quarterly Expanded HHVBP Model Newsletter in Advance of First Payment Year
January 5, 2025CMS has released the latest Quarterly Newsletter for the Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, highlighting key updates as the program enters its first payment year in 2025. Highlights…
The next Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum (ODF) will be held this week on Wednesday, January 8, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST. During this session, CMS…
On December 20, 2024, Congress passed the American Relief Act 2025, temporarily extending federal government funding and key healthcare programs. This legislation includes a two-year extension of certain telehealth flexibilities…
CMS is seeking input from stakeholders on how to better protect Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) and safeguard beneficiaries in light of recent fraud targeting MBIs. Specifically, CMS is requesting feedback…
ODP Bulletins & Key Updates
January 5, 2025ODPANN 24-128: New American Sign Language English Interpreter Service Interpreter service is available to individuals in the Consolidated, P/FDS, Community Living, and Adult Autism Waivers starting January 1, 2025. It…
Save the Date! Strong as Steel: Forging the Future of Homecare at PHA’s 2025 Annual Conference
January 5, 2025Get ready for three power-packed days of connection, learning, and growth at the Pennsylvania Homecare Association’s 2025 Annual Conference. Set against the backdrop of historic Bethlehem’s steel city heritage, this…
Join a PHA Committee in 2025!
January 5, 2025Are you passionate about advancing home care, home health, and hospice? Joining a PHA committee in 2025 is your chance to collaborate with industry leaders and contribute to innovation in…
Reminder: Action Required to Designate Your My Learning Center Administrator by January 11, 2025
January 5, 2025Exciting 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…
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…