PHA Updates
Governor Shapiro and PA Legislature Honors Home-Based Healthcare Workers with ‘Care at Home Month’
November 17, 2024Governor Josh Shapiro has officially recognized November as Care at Home Month in Pennsylvania, celebrating the essential contributions of home-based healthcare workers. The Pennsylvania Senate and House, with resolutions led…
Help Elevate Home Care – Support Our Advocacy Initiative
November 17, 2024As part of our ongoing efforts to amplify the impact and visibility of home care services, we are launching a targeted Public Relations campaign to advocate for higher reimbursement rates…
PHA Submits Rate Increase Request
November 17, 2024Each year, as part of the annual budget process, PHA submits a Program Revision Request (PRR) to the Department of Human Services and the Governor’s Office to advocate for increased…
This month, 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 CMS…
Congratulations LinkedIn Giveaway Winners!
November 17, 2024Thank you to everyone who participated in our LinkedIn giveaway by following PHA on social media! Following our updates is an important advocacy action step to help spread awareness about…
PHA Launches EVV Toolkit for Enhanced Compliance!
November 17, 2024Enhance your organization’s compliance and efficiency by leveraging PHA’s new EVV Toolkit. Access comprehensive training materials, videos, quizzes, a media kit with promotional assets, and a podcast to support EVV…
PHA Welcomes MaiLynn Peters
November 17, 2024PHA is excited to announce that MaiLynn Peters has joined us as our new Sr. Director of Business Solutions. MaiLynn is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of…
Reminder: Nominations Open for PHA Board Director Positions
November 17, 2024Don’t miss the opportunity to shape PHA’s future! Three Director-at-Large board positions are opening on January 2025, and we’re accepting nominations through Friday, November 22, 2024. This is your chance…
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,…
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…
Business Solutions Spotlight: NEW Partnership Makes Higher Education More Affordable for Home-Based Care Employees
November 3, 2024PHA is pleased to introduce a new collaboration with Central Penn College that will make higher education more accessible and affordable for employees of PHA member agencies. This partnership provides…
Follow Us on LinkedIn to Win Free Education Sessions
November 3, 2024PHA invites all our members to connect with us on LinkedIn! Social Media is an important tool used to inform legislators about key issues – and the more “likes” we…
Relive the PHA 2024 Regional Meetings
November 3, 2024Thank you to members who attended our recent PHA Regional Meetings! We had record attendance with more than 300 agency representatives coming together to learn, strategize and network! Regional Meeting Highlights! During our 2024 Regional Meetings, we…
Nominations Open for PHA Board Director Positions
November 3, 2024PHA has three Director-at-Large board positions opening in January 2025, and we invite members to nominate themselves or other senior staff members no later than Friday, November 22. This is…
Jill Senior, CMP, Director of Meetings & Events at the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, has been named one of City & State PA’s “50 Over 50” honorees for her contributions to the homecare…
PHA Seeks HHA Trainers: Become a Home Health Aide (HHA) Training Site through the DLI Grant
November 3, 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…
Mission Moment: Tom Rose, 21st Century Consultants
October 20, 2024Thomas Rose’s mission moment stems from his father-in-law’s illness and need for home care after heart surgery. As his condition worsened, they moved from personal care to skilled care, allowing…
PHA Legislation for Remote Interviewing of DCWs Signed Into Law
October 20, 2024On October 16th, Governor Shapiro signed HB 155 into law, officially becoming Act 96 of 2024. Act 96 allows the use of remote video technology for conducting direct care worker…
OLTL CHC Waiver Renewal Considers FBI Fingerprinting Requirement
October 20, 2024Earlier this year, the Office of Long-Term Living proposed language for the Community HealthChoices Waiver renewal and additionally for an OBRA Waiver Amendment. Included in the proposed changes is a…
Aging Adults Influence on Pennsylvania Voting Results
October 20, 2024In the last election, more than 60% of those who voted were 50+ years old. Candidates in upcoming elections must listen to this booming population to make sure they are…
October 23 OAPSA Hearing: PHA Comments on FBI Fingerprinting Requirement for All Hires
October 20, 2024Background: In Peake v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2015), the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that the lifetime employment ban imposed by the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) for individuals with…
The national spotlight has recently focused on the home care industry. Vice President Kamala Harris last week released her plan to expand Medicare coverage to home care under her “Medicare…
Business Solutions Spotlight: Train English Learners to Become Home Aides with Vizulingo
October 20, 2024Staffing shortages continue to challenge Pennsylvania’s home healthcare agencies. For a limited time, Vizulingo is offering a unique pilot program designed to address this issue by attracting non-native English speakers…
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…
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…
PHA is pleased to announce that the 2025 membership dues have been officially posted and are now available for review by for agency members. This early notice offers members the…
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…
DONATE NOW: Help Someone Receive In Home Care
October 6, 2024The Pennsylvania Foundation for Home Care and Hospice is reaching out to our generous membership—your immediate support can make all the difference to someone who doesn’t qualify for funding for…
Business Solutions Spotlight: Workers Compensation Trust
October 6, 2024When selecting workers’ compensation coverage, employers have several options. Employers may choose to be fully-insured, have a self-funded plan or they may participate in a self-insured group, such as the Pennsylvania…
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…
Unlock the Power of PHA’s NEW Resume Bank
October 6, 2024Did you know that PHA’s Job Board offers more than just job postings – it provides direct access to our Resume Bank, a growing resource of candidates eager to explore…
FBI Fingerprinting Proposed
September 20, 2024PHA is advocating on two proposed regulatory changes that can impact the speed and cost of how home health care workers are hired. Specifically, the current OLTL Waiver Renewals and…
PHA Testifies at OAPSA Senate Hearing
September 20, 2024On September 18, CJ Rambler, President of PHA’s Board of Directors, testified in front of a joint session of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee and the Senate Banking &…
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…
OLTL/Mercer Rate Study Update
September 6, 2024On the September 4, 2024 LTSS Subcommittee meeting, the Office of Long Term Living and Mercer released information about the ongoing rate study for Personal Assistance Services. Specifically, Mercer shared…
Mission Moments
September 6, 2024Watch this Mission Moment from Stan Rynkiewicz, Deer Meadows Home Health and Support Services, LLC. Want to be featured and inspire others with your Mission Moment? Click here to submit…
Business Solutions Spotlight: Grow a Profitable Business with FREE COSi + PHA Workshop
September 6, 2024Facing workforce shortages, complex regulations, or low reimbursement rates? Join COSi and PHA for an exclusive virtual workshop to help small to mid-size business leaders overcome these challenges and boost…
Last week, PHA held a hybrid EVV Compliance Collaborative event, with 225 attendees gathering to discuss crucial updates and strategies for Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) compliance. A huge thank you…
What Topics Do You Want to See in PHA’s 2025 Education Lineup?
September 6, 2024PHA is seeking recommendations for its 2025 Education series. We need members to tell us what topics they would like covered in future PHA educational series. Please answer these 3-questions…
On August 22, 2024, West Virginia’s Governor announced rate increases for Providers at an average of 15% effective October 1, 2024, with certain line items reaching increases of 34%. Included…
Pennsylvania Senator Tracy Pennycuick: Pennsylvania Needs to Do More to Allow Individuals to Receive Care at Home
August 23, 2024Pennsylvania Senator Tracy Pennycuick, representing the 24th District which includes parts of Berks and Montgomery counties, released an opinion editorial this week highlighting the home health care misses in the recently…
No Connections Next Week; We’re Moving to Bi-Weekly!
August 23, 2024Due to the Labor Day holiday, there will be no edition of Connections next week. Additionally, as we transition to fall, Connections will be moving to a biweekly schedule, with…
Business Solutions: Save on Workers’ Comp Insurance
August 23, 2024Workers Compensation is the second highest cost for home care and home health providers next to payroll. PHA offers a self-insurance option that saves members up to 10% compared to…
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….
PDN: Advocate for Nursing Rate Increases Today!
August 16, 2024Don’t wait until April/May of 2025 to advocate for rate increases for nurses. Advocacy starts NOW! Sharing patient stories is a vital aspect of advocacy because it personalizes the impact of…
