2024-07
Website Launch 8/5/2024: No Connections Next Week!
July 29, 2024PHA is launching a newly redesigned website next week on August 5, 2024! There will be no Connections newsletter on August 5 as our staff will be on standby to assist members…
We are thrilled to announce PHA’s strategic partnership with Nevvon, an industry leader in e-training solutions for the healthcare sector. Through this collaboration, Nevvon will power, host and support the…
New Membership Seals for PHA Members
July 29, 2024We are proud to reveal our updated membership seal for the Pennsylvania Homecare Association! We encourage all members to prominently display the PHA membership seal on your websites, email signatures,…
DLI Grant: Taskforce Sign-Ups
July 29, 2024In May, PHA was awarded a Department of Labor and Industry Grant for Direct Care Worker Job Quality initiatives. Our program will have two learning tracks. One for Direct Care Workers and…
Protect Home Health Care from Cuts
July 29, 2024On June 26, 2024, CMS released its proposed rule for Calendar Year 2025, which includes a substantial 4.067 % cut to the home health base payment rate. This follows previous…
AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First Provides PHA Clarification on Manual Edit Signature Requirements!
July 29, 2024PHA has been seeking clarification from AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First (AC/KF) on what an acceptable participant signature is for purposes of documenting Manual Edits. In November 2023, AC/KF released guidance that…
Activating Employers Project; Seeking Employer Input
July 29, 2024PHA recently partnered with the University of Brighton, UK to provide input on an initiative called the Activating Employers Project. The project is funded by the Economic and Social Research…
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…
Summary of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) Consumer Subcommittee Meeting
July 29, 2024The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) Consumer Subcommittee met on July 24 to review significant updates and achievements related to medical assistance programs. The meeting emphasized budgetary and policy victories,…
The Department of Human Services has released a new Request for Information (RFI) to assist in determining possible implementation needs for the Commonwealthʼs proposed 1115 Demonstration Waiver titled, “Bridges to Success: Keystones…
FY 2024-25 Key Budget Updates on ID/A Increases
July 29, 2024At the July 25 Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary of ODP, shared important FY 2024-25 budget updates that reflect the Shapiro administration’s commitment to affirming the dignity of…
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…
On July 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance to states on the steps needed to ensure compliance with rate transparency provisions of the Medicaid Access…
WEBINAR: HHVBP CY 2024 Annual Performance Report
July 29, 2024The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a webinar on August 13 to inform home health providers about their first Annual Performance Report (APR) for the…
The Home Health Care CAHPS (HHCAHPS) survey results are now on Care Compare. Survey results are based on responses from patients who received care from Medicare-certified agencies in CY 2023. You…
Click here for the Mission Moment of Brett Ringold with A Long Term Companion, as he recalls an event early in his career that shaped the way he approaches support for…
Help Support Homecare in PA—Your Generosity Matters!
July 22, 2024Home is where we feel safest—and it’s where many wish to stay during recovery or treatment. The Pennsylvania Foundation for Home Care and Hospice helps make this possible by providing…
Pennsylvania’s new $47.6 billion budget, a 6% increase over last year’s spending, has been finalized for the fiscal year starting July 1. This budget prioritizes public schools, higher education affordability,…
President Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race
July 22, 2024President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will end his presidential re-election campaign, bringing an abrupt and humbling conclusion to his half-century-long political career. This decision scrambles the race…
How Does Migration Status Impact Direct Support Professionals (DSP)? Paid Interview Opportunity for DSPs!
July 22, 2024The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is inviting people to participate in a paid interview about how migration status (an individual who has moved away from their native country)…
Mercer Rate Study – July 18th HCBS Call Recap
July 22, 2024On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the Office of Long-Term Living and Mercer held a meeting to review the progress of the ongoing rate study which will include a review of…
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…
PHA Responds to CHC, OBRA Waiver Amendments
July 22, 2024PHA collaborated with a number of associations and stakeholders to respond to the proposed CHC Waiver Renewal and OBRA Waiver Amendment released by the Office of Long Term Living on June 15,…
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…
NOW AVAILABLE IN iQIES – Preview Reports and Star Rating Preview Reports for the October 2024 Refresh
July 22, 2024For the most recent iQIES refresh, Home Health Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and QRP claims-based measures have been updated. All OASIS and claims-based measures are now based on…
“I think as a person who has lived refugee experience, also I’m a doctoral student in public health, I understand a lot about disparities and what is going on. Coming…
The Pennsylvania Foundation for Home Care and Hospice has established the South Central Pennsylvania Home Care Grant with the support of the Partnership for Better Health. This grant supports individuals…
New Resource: Training Supplement for OLTL Providers
July 15, 2024PHA has added a new training supplement to our resource library, specifically designed to meet the annual staff training requirements mandated by the Office of Long-Term Living (§ 52.21. Staff training)….
Creating a Positive Candidate Experience
July 15, 2024The Candidate Experience refers to a job seeker’s experience and evaluation of the hiring process at your company. It encompasses interactions between the candidate and the company, including application procedures,…
Build Business in Bucks County Grant
July 15, 2024The Build Business in Bucks Grant, an initiative by the Bucks County Department of Workforce and Economic Development (WED), is set to offer up to $3,000 in services and training to…
Late last week in a whirlwind of committee meetings and floor votes, the General Assembly finalized the state’s fiscal year 2024-25 spending plan. The key budget-related bills—including the General Appropriations…
CMS Launches GUIDE Model to Improve Dementia Care
July 15, 2024On July 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. This eight-year, voluntary nationwide initiative aims to support individuals with dementia…
ODP Updates Guidance for QM Plans
July 15, 2024ODP released additional guidance for providers regarding QM plans for CPS and Day Habilitation providers. Prior guidance regarding new waiver language related to QM plans, indicated that providers with service…
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…
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July 15, 2024In our mission to Bring Care Home, PHA is profoundly aware of the barriers and disparities impacting those we serve. This month places a lens on mental health awareness, specifically, our…
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…
Click in to hear the Mission Moment of Heather Fotopoulos with JEVS Care at Home. A 25-year veteran of home-based care, Heather’s Mission Moment marks a milestone along her journey to…
Exciting Changes Coming Soon!
July 8, 2024PHA members may have seen our new logo sprinkled around town recently. With this fresh new look, our staff is also working hard behind the scenes to launch PHA’s new…
A significant sticking point remains education funding, as lawmakers struggle to determine the appropriate amount for schools. Senate Republican Leader Joe Pittman emphasized the complexity of achieving “fair funding” across…
We are thrilled to announce the launch of PHA’s enhanced job board, a significant step forward in our commitment to Workforce Development. Here is why your agency should leverage our job board:…
ODP Providers: National Core Indicators® State of the Workforce Survey Deadline Extended to July 31, 2024
July 8, 2024The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has informed provider agencies employing Direct Service Professionals DSPs that the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) has extended the deadline for completing the 2023 National…
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) new overtime rule, the final rule “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees”, went into effect as ordered on Monday,…
The LTSS MAAC meeting held on July 2, 2024, provided critical updates on various programs and initiatives. Specifically, key updates were shared regarding: 1. CHC Waiver Renewal and OBRA Waiver Amendment…
National Therapeutic Recreation Week, established by the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, aims to highlight the benefits of therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with various disabilities. This week-long observance, from July…
UPMC Ends Current VBP – New VBP Coming in 2024
July 8, 2024Home Care providers may have heard or be in receipt of a letter indicating that UPMC is NOT renewing the July 1, 2023, Amendment to the Community HealthChoices Personal Assistance…
SB 1080 Passes Senate, Headed to the House!
July 8, 2024We are thrilled to announce that the Pennsylvania State Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill (SB) 1080, sponsored by Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver! This crucial bill addresses a significant issue in…
Reminder: Annual DDE/PPTN Recertification Is Due
July 8, 2024Have you recertified your FISS DDE User ID yet? CGS is requiring home health and hospice providers to recertify their Fiscal Intermediary Standard System (FISS) Direct Data Entry (DDE) now….
We are excited to announce that PHA is launching a new and much improved online job board this July! ACT NOW: If your talent acquisition and recruitment teams don’t have access…
Click here to hear Diane’s Mission Moment…her WHY. This moving story marks a milestone along her journey to becoming a champion of our industry! Every Monday, Connections—and PHA social channels—will feature…
The Power of Public Reviews in Recruitment
July 1, 2024In the digital age, public reviews have become a crucial part of the recruitment process. Platforms like Google, Indeed, Glassdoor, Facebook, and more have transformed the way companies are being…