2024-06
Interested in Accreditation? PHA partners with Community Health Accreditation Partner, Inc. (CHAP) and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) to bring cost savings to members! 1. Community Health Accreditation…
June 20 Quick Hits: Here’s What You Missed
June 24, 2024On Thursday, June 20, Mia Haney, Alex McMahon, and Kim Whetsell recapped industry news and PHA updates in our members-only Quick Hits webinar. Information covered included: Members can access the…
We’re Seeking Advocates to Share Mission Moments!
June 24, 2024What is a Mission Moment? When a member shares a story (typically on camera) of a patient interaction that profoundly moved them and made them a champion of the industry. This…
Refer-a-Friend to PHA!
June 24, 2024Know someone who would benefit from being a member of PHA? Invite them to join & earn rewards! If your referral joins before September 30, as a token of appreciation, BOTH…
Workforce development is a concept frequently utilized in the business sector, but it holds equal significance and necessity in the home care, home health, and hospice industry. It embodies a…
On June 12, 2024, the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee and the Senate Aging and Youth Committee convened for a joint hearing to discuss the “Aging Our Way,…
Section 2718 of the Public Health Services Act, titled “Bringing Down the Cost of Health Care Coverage,” requires each hospital operating within the United States (U.S.) for each year to…
PHA and Stakeholders Unite to Address OAPSA Concerns
June 24, 2024PHA, alongside key stakeholders in the long-term care community, have united to express concerns over the recently proposed reforms to the Older Adult Protective Service Act (OAPSA). In a letter to…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the end of the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) Program on July 12, 2024. Launched in March, CHOPD provided financial support…
Bipartisan House Companion Introduced Allowing Hospice LPNs to Make Death Pronouncements
June 24, 2024The Pennsylvania Homecare Association is celebrating the introduction of House Bill 2434 sponsored by Rep. Paul Takac (D-Centre). This legislation is identical to SB 1080 which was passed by the…
Celebrating Diversity and Health in June
June 17, 2024This month, PHA invites you to join us in observing Men’s Health Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and Pride Month with a renewed commitment to fostering awareness, compassion, and…
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) is excited to announce the hiring of Rebecca “Becky” Jacobs as Workforce Development Director, a pivotal NEW role for the association aimed at addressing the…
On June 12, 2024, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, announced the recipients of the 2024 Direct Care Worker of the Year Awards. We want to…
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Final Rule increases the salary threshold for overtime exemption for certain employees effective July 1, 2024. The new rule increases the salary threshold for exempt workers from…
Two Democratic senators from Massachusetts have introduced a bill they say is meant to “root out corporate greed and private equity abuse” in nursing homes, assisted living communities, home health…
PHA Opposes Burdensome OAPSA Revisions
June 17, 2024PHA quickly responded to a request for feedback on revised Older Adult Protective Services (OAPSA) language presented to stakeholders by the administration and the House Aging & Older Services Committee. OAPSA has…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Office of the Actuary has released projections of National Health Expenditures (NHE) and health insurance enrollment for the years 2023-2032. The Office…
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a pathogenic microorganism that can cause potentially life-threatening disease in humans. HBV infection is transmitted through exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. As…
The Office of Long Term Living is releasing proposed Waiver Amendments for OBRA and Community Health Choice on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Public comments will be accepted for 30 days,…
#FreetheData Bill Passes PA Senate
June 17, 2024On June 12, legislation to #FreetheData passed the Pennsylvania Senate 48-0. The bill will #FreetheData, providing workforce boards and stakeholders with enhanced access to critical workforce information, ensuring that workforce…
The Office of Long Term Living and Mercer delivered an update regarding the upcoming rate study, which will include a review of the Personal Assistance Services rate. Mercer indicated three ways…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the Final April 2024 Interim Performance Reports (IPRs). These reports, which reflect updates to claims-based measure scores, are now available…
Senate Health and Human Services Committee Passes SB 1080, Allowing Hospice LPNs to Make Death Pronouncements
June 17, 2024The Pennsylvania Homecare Association is celebrating a legislative victory with the unanimous passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1080 by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Sponsored by Sen. Lynda…
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association has been working with providers impacted by Change Healthcare, specifically those providers who serve participants through Health Partners Plan (HPP) which have seen a hold on…
If you haven’t heard of the Pennsylvania Home Care & Human Services Workers’ Compensation Trust now is the time to see if you can save thousands in Workers Compensation costs! This Trust…
As of June 4, 2024, ODP has processed the one time supplemental payments for all providers who applied by the deadline of May 15, 2024. These payments were intended to…
This week, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), alongside several providers committed to our budget advocacy, took to Capitol Hill to advocate for increased rates for direct care workers and nurses….
CMS Releases Updated Health Equity Fact Sheet
June 10, 2024On May 24, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated Health Equity Fact Sheet. Based on this fact sheet, home health, home care, and hospice providers…
Department of Veterans Affairs to Offer Free Remote Patient Monitoring Certificate Program
June 10, 2024A Remote Patient Monitoring Certificate Program, developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Florida College of Nursing, will be a free initiative designed to provide…
Many landline telephone numbers are being transitioned by carriers to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP is a technology that allows you to make calls over the internet instead of…
PHA and Collaborators Unite to Highlight Rate Increases and Combat State Mandated 80/20 Rule
June 10, 2024This week House Bill 2372 was released entitled “Agency Accountability and Livable Wages for Pennsylvania’s Home Care Workers.” Sponsored by Reps. Jessica Benham and Jason Ortitay, the bill specifically: The Pennsylvania Homecare…
OLTL Procurement for Independent Enrollment Broker includes Expanded Enrollment Support
June 10, 2024At the Wednesday, June 5 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee Meeting, the Office of Long Term Living (OLTL) indicated that the new contract between OLTL and Maximus for Independent…
CMS Revises Hospice Certifying Physician Enrollment Requirement Implementation Guidance
June 10, 2024On June 6, 2024, in response to concerns raised by the provider community, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) retracted its guidance indicating that any individual who elects…
Change Healthcare Impacts: HHAeXchange/SDS Integration Underway to Enable Payments to Provider
June 10, 2024PHA continues to hear from members that Physical HealthChoices payments are still on hold with certain Managed Care Organizations due to the impacts of the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Specifically, PHA…
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…
Member Spotlight: South Central Pennsylvania Home Care Grant & The Partnership for Better Health
June 3, 2024The Partnership for Better Health is a community foundation that champions and invests in ideas, initiatives, and collaborations to advance equity and improve the health of the people and communities…
On May 23, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) submitted comments on the proposed Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Fee Schedule Rates. PHA commended ODP for prioritizing the direct care workforce through adequate reimbursement,…
This is a reminder for all entities covered by the 21st Century Cures Act Electronic Visit Verification requirements. Effective January 1, 2025, the requirement for compliance with EVV is going from…
OP-ED: PHA CEO Mia Haney Speaks Out for Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Who Deserve Equal Access to Home Care
June 3, 2024It is heartening to witness leadership that prioritizes the needs of our most vulnerable citizens; however, Governor Shapiro’s recent proposal to increase funding for home care services for Pennsylvanians with…
HHS Issues New Rule to Strengthen Nondiscrimination Protections and Advance Civil Rights in Health Care
June 3, 2024On May 6, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule…
At the most recent Medical Assistance Advisory Committee on May 23, 2024, the Office of Long Term Living released key milestones for the rate study that is to be conducted…
Member Shoutout: HomeWell Care Services
June 3, 2024Congratulations to HomeWell Care Services for their recent Grand Opening on May 30. PHA was there with owner, Monica Jones, for the ribbon cutting which symbolized new beginnings and the…
On May 22, the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) Consumer Subcommittee convened in Harrisburg for an in-person meeting, where key information was shared regarding hospital and contract updates, OLTL Participant…
Tis the Season for a New Logo
June 3, 2024Following PHA’s recent announcement that it will be officially rebranded by Q3 with a new logo, database and website, the Department of Human Services issued a similar announcement that its…
As we’re quickly learning, AI can automate tasks and improve job efficiency, requiring workers to learn new skills. However, it also poses risks like reduced autonomy, embedded bias, and job…
Medicare Provider Compliance Tips
June 3, 2024Looking for information on The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Compliance Tips program? Plus, the new CMS tool provides high level guidance on how to prevent claim denials…
PHA Comments: CMS-1810-P Proposed Rule on FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update
June 3, 2024PHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the recently proposed rule by CMS, titled “Medicare Program; FY 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update,…
Family Medical Support Assistance
June 3, 2024In 2022, ODP announced amendments to the Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS waives that included NEW services funded through its waivers. One of those services is Family Medical Support Assistance,…
New Edition: HQRP Quarterly Q&As Now Available
June 3, 2024The HQRP Quarterly Q&A for Q1 2024 is now available. This Q&A includes selected questions received by the Hospice Quality Help Desk during the first quarter of 2024 (January 1…
CMS Open Door Forum
June 3, 2024CMS held a Home Health, Hospice, and DME Open Door Forum (ODF) on Wednesday, May 22 to provide updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program. Members are encouraged to sign…