Hospice
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.
Save the Date: Sept. 9 Mergers and Acquisitions Event & Webinar Series for Home Care Agencies
August 23, 2024Join us on September 9, 2024 for a FREE webinar kicking off our Mergers and Acquisitions series this fall. On September 9, CEO Mia Haney will share the story of her…
The PHA Job Board provides a powerful way to ensure your job postings stand out. For a limited time, you can upgrade to a Featured Listing at 50% off—saving $25….
HCBS Rate and Wage Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
August 23, 2024On August 21, 2024, the Office of Long-Term Living released the long-awaited FAQ from the July 18, 2024, HCBS Rate and Wage Study Provider Meeting. The FAQ includes responses from…
On August 21, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a brief explainer video titled, “Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluations (HOPE) Data Collection Timepoints.” This 4-minute, animated explainer…
Providers can now access the latest Provider Preview Reports via the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) application. Once released in CASPER, providers will have 30 days during which…
Business Solutions Spotlight
August 16, 2024PHA is excited to announce a new partnership with Vitable Health, bringing our members an exclusive offer on QuantiFERON TB tests. Through this partnership, members can purchase TB tests quarterly…
Save the Date(s)! PHA Regional Meetings Return in October
August 16, 2024The PHA Regional Meetings are back this fall! All members are invited to participate in this free event to hear the latest industry updates, learn about PHA’s services, discover business…
Are you looking to expand your professional network and increase your visibility on LinkedIn? You’re in luck! Here are 10 tips for boosting your LinkedIn views and connections organically, ensuring…
As Pennsylvania prepares to move to an 85% threshold for EVV compliance on January 1, 2025, PHA is committed to helping you stay prepared. If you missed our review in…
Department of Labor Audits: The Price of Non-Compliance
August 16, 2024The Department of Labor (DOL) conducts audits to ensure that home care and home health providers comply with federal labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These audits…
Reminder: Annual DDE/PPTN Recertification Is Due
August 16, 2024As a reminder, each year, providers must recertify each Direct Data Entry (DDE) and Professional Provider Telecommunications Network (PPTN) user’s access. To recertify, complete and fax the Annual DDE PPTN Recertification…
CGS Webinar Series: Top Claims Errors and Documentation Tips for Home Health and Hospice
August 16, 2024CGS is diving into the top claims errors later this month with focused webinars for both home health and hospice. These sessions will review the most common errors and provide…
On July 30, CMS released the FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update. If you missed our earlier announcement, here are the highlights: The final rule is expected…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced two FREE courses from the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM). These courses focus on dementia risk reduction and are available…
Feedback Needed: Help Improve the PEPPER & CBR
July 29, 2024The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking information for a reevaluation of the Comparative Billing Reports (CBRs) and Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Reports (PEPPERs) to improve…
July 2024 MedPAC Data Book Released
July 22, 2024The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released the July 2024 MedPAC Data Book, Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program, on July 16, 2024. The MedPAC Data Book provides information on national health care…
Recently, hospice providers may have experienced claim rejections due to an issue with the certifying physician enrollment edit. The problem, marked by reason code 17729 (The attending physician’s National Provider…
Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a summary report from the Standing Technical Expert Panel (TEP) convened on December 15, 2023, to develop, evaluate, and maintain Post-Acute…
On July 3, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notified hospices of non-compliance with Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) requirements for calendar year (CY) 2023, impacting their fiscal…