Hospice
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…
Last month, U.S. Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Enhancing Hospice Oversight and Transparency Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to delay the implementation of the…
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…
Register for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program webinar hosted by CMS on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 1:00–2:00 PM. The webinar will include an Introduction to Hospice Outcomes and Patient…
Care Compare Quarterly Refresh – November 2024
December 8, 2024The November 2024 quarterly refresh for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program is now available on Care Compare. For additional information, please see the FY2025 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule at https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Hospice-Center. Please…
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,…
CMS Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP): Q3 2024 Q&A Highlights
November 17, 2024The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the latest Quarterly Q&A document for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), covering inquiries received during the third quarter of…
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…
CMS Issues Hospice Survey Guidance to Identify Quality of Care and Potential Fraud Concerns
November 17, 2024On November 13, CMS issued a memo titled “Ensuring Consistency in the Hospice Survey Process,” which reinforces hospice survey protocols to detect quality of care issues and identify potential fraud….
CGS Reminder: Termination of the Hospice Benefit Component of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model on December 31, 2024
November 17, 2024The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided to conclude the Hospice Benefit Component of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model as of December 31, 2024, 11:59 PM….
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…
Hospice Preview Reports for February 2025 Refresh Now Available
November 17, 2024Providers can now access the latest Provider Preview Reports for the February 2025 refresh via CASPER. The current preview period runs from Nov. 13 – Dec. 13, 2024. These reports…
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…
Hospice CAHPS Corner: Upcoming Deadlines in December
November 3, 2024Participation Exemption for Size Form Now Available: Submit by Dec. 31 The Participation Exemption for Size Form for the CY 2024 CAHPS Hospice Survey is now available on the CAHPS…
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…
CMS Establishes Hospice Special Focus Program for Enhanced Oversight Despite Concerns About Eligibility Algorithm
October 20, 2024On October 4, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo (QSO-25-02-Hospice) outlining the establishment of the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP). This initiative, mandated by…
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…
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) introduced the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement Act (Hospice CARE Act). A large aim of the legislation is to improve cost structures and goal-concordant care for patients with increasingly complex physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs, according to Blumenauer. PHA is reviewing the bill and is largely supportive. PHA will work with key stakeholders to negotiate specifics of the bill to avoid unintended impacts on providers, patients or the hospice benefit.
NOW AVAILABLE: HOPE Tool User Manual and Web Based Training
October 6, 2024The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Quality Measure (QM) User Manual Chapter for HOPE Process Measures is now available. This QM Manual chapter contains instructions on the calculation of HOPE-based…
CMS Issues Hospice Prepayment Review Fact Sheet
October 6, 2024On September 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an MLN Newsletter article, “Hospice Benefit: Expanding Prepayment Review in 4 States.” Under this initiative, CMS, through the MACs, will…
The House Health Committee will be seeking a vote on SB1080 on October 2, 2024. SB1080 has been a PHA priority for many months with language in this bill allowing…
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…
On September 4, CMS issued an MLN Newsletter article, ‘Hospice Benefit: Expanding Prepayment Review in 4 States.’ In this article, CMS announced its plan to have the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) conduct…
Final HOPE Item Sets Released
September 20, 2024Starting October 1, 2025, hospices will begin using the Hospice Outcome & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool, which will replace the Hospice Item Set. The final HOPE tool, including HOPE Admission…
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted the August 2024 HQRP Forum to provide information on the Fiscal Year 2025 Hospice Final Rule…
VNA of Greater Philadelphia to Close After 138 Years of Service: A Call to Protect Home Health Services
September 20, 2024The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia (VNA), a cornerstone of the community since 1886, will be closing its doors on October 28, 2024. Citing unsustainable financial losses, VNA has…
PHA Supports The National Alliance for Care at Home (NAHC-NHPCO) Commentary on 2025 HH PPS Rate Update
September 6, 2024The Pennsylvania Homecare Association recently signed on to a comment letter regarding the proposed 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System drafted by The National Alliance for Care at Home (Formerly:…
August 2024 Refresh of Hospice Care Compare
September 6, 2024Hospice quality data has been refreshed on Care Compare, including Hospice Item Set data, CAHPS® Survey Family Caregiver Experience data, and Star Ratings. In addition, provider preview reports for the November 2024…
National Alliance for Care at Home (NAHC), HCAOA, Polsinelli to host Home Based Care Legal Webinar
September 6, 2024Join Polsinelli, The National Alliance for Care at Home (Formerly: NAHC), and Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) on September 19, 2024 at 12 p.m. for a one hour legal update…
NAHC-NHPCO Alliance Announce New Name, New Logo and New CEO
September 6, 2024The NAHC-NHPCO Alliance has announced a new name, The Alliance for Care at Home, a new logo, and has appointed Dr. Steven Landers, MD, MPH, as its first Chief Executive…
The Northeast Healthcare Coalition is hosting a FREE symposium on October 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Pocono Summit, PA. The…
Mission Moment: Jennifer Baker
August 23, 2024Want to be featured and inspire others with your Mission Moment? Click here to submit your Mission Moment.
