PHA Updates
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,…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) recently received the Direct Care Worker Job Quality Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. This grant will fund the new Direct Care Worker Mentorship…
National Nurses Week is a time to celebrate and recognize the unwavering commitment of nurses who make a significant impact on home-based care. This year, PHA is delighted to announce…
Representatives Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny, Washington) recently issued a co-sponsorship memorandum titled “Agency Accountability and Livable Wages for PA’s Home Care Workers.” While PHA supports the request…
Offering affordable solutions for your health insurance needs and the keys to maximize your employee benefits program, including voluntary offerings, PHA provides its members access to My Benefit Advisor. As…
MB Healthcare Consultants, LLC offers home care consulting services to PHA members at a 10% discount from standard fees. Services are based on three things: People, Process, and Performance. Visit www.mbhealthcareconsultants.com for…
April 25 Quick Hits: Here’s What You Missed
April 29, 2024On Thursday, April 25, Mia Haney, Alex McMahon, and Kim Whetsell recapped industry news and PHA updates in our members-only Quick Hits webinar. Information covered included PHA’s Advocacy Day, a…
Medicaid Access and Accountability 80/20 Rule Released
April 29, 2024The CMS final rule entitled, “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services,” proposed to address key issues in Medicaid services, was issued this week. PHA issued a statement and is working diligently to review…
Member Benefit Spotlight: DynaMed, Inc.
April 22, 2024The Pennsylvania Home Care Association is happy to provide a member benefit from our partners from DynamedDevices. DynaMed, Inc. is a national distributor for Stability Biologics. DynaMed offers access to…
NAHC Advocacy Day Recap
April 22, 2024Over 100 home care, home health, and hospice advocates, including representatives and members of PHA, came to Washington, D.C. April 16 and 17 to make the case for expanded access…
Last month Representatives Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny, Washington) issued a co-sponsorship memorandum titled “Agency Accountability and Livable Wages for PA’s Home Care Workers.” While the memo included…
NEW Study: Costs and Benefits of Enhancing Private Duty/Shift Nursing Payment Rates in Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Program
April 22, 2024The Pennsylvania Homecare Association engaged The Menges Group to conduct a cost savings study for private duty nursing with a purpose of proving what an investment in increased reimbursement rates…
Today, PHA’s President of the Board of Directors, CJ Rambler, will be testifying on behalf of PHA at a House Health and Human Services Committee Informational Hearing on the Delivery…
Thank you to the 200+ attendees who came together last week to move the needle forward for Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) compliance in Pennsylvania! The Department of Human Services currently…
Annual Membership Meeting Scheduled for May 17
April 8, 2024PHA’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains. All members are invited to…
On Monday, April 8 PHA’s President of the Board of Directors, CJ Rambler, will be testifying on behalf of PHA at a House Health and Human Services Committee Informational Hearing…
PHA’s New Business Partner, ColdTree, proudly offers exclusive preferred pricing to all PHA members across an extensive range of products or “Swag” items. In addition to providing PHA members a discounted…
Recently, Representatives Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny, Washington) released a co-sponsorship memorandum titled “Agency Accountability and Livable Wages for PA’s Home Care Workers.” Unfortunately, this memorandum included unfounded…
PHA Submits Comments on Aging Your Way, PA
March 25, 2024ast week, PHA submitted comments to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (Department) on its draft master plan on aging, Aging Our Way, PA. PHA commended the plan’s proposal to advance initiatives that…
Representative Jessica Benham and Representative Jason Ortitay issued a co-sponsorship memorandum calling for “Agency Accountability and Livable Wages for PA’s Home Care Workers.” The memorandum calls for four action items: The memorandum…
Last week, PHA held an EVV check-in with representatives from the Department of Human Services, Community HealthChoices and Physical Health Choices MCOs, HHAeXchange, Sandata, and Netsmart. Throughout the event, stakeholders shared…
PHA organized a sign-on letter to House leadership sharing opposition from providers to House Bill 876, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cabell (R-Luzerne), is pending consideration by the House of Representatives and…
PHA Signs-on to Letter Raising Concern Over Proposed Changes to Medicare Advantage Program
March 18, 2024Last week, PHA, along with a diverse group of stakeholders, joined in signing an open letter coordinated by the Better Medicare Alliance. The letter, addressed to CMS, expressed concerns regarding the proposals…
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) has officially appointed Mia Haney as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), starting February 26, 2024. Haney, who has over 15 years of experience in the home…
A Message from PHA’s CEO
March 4, 2024Dear PHA Members and Partners, It is my sincere honor to be offered the full-time role of CEO with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA). As I reflect on the journey…
Senate Bill 1080 sponsored by Sen. Lynda Culver (R- Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder) and championed by PHA, was introduced on February 23. Senate Bill 1080 aims to allow Licensed…
National Caregivers Day: 10 Award Winners Announced!
February 26, 2024National Caregivers Day celebrates the dedication of caregivers by acknowledging their commitment to their clients. On Friday, PHA held a drawing to award 10 caregivers a $50 gift card, recognizing…
Member Benefit Spotlight: NEW Form for Member Questions
February 19, 2024We are excited to introduce a new form for member questions, which helps streamline your inquiries and enhance member support! Our team guarantees a response within 48 hours, offering direct…
Guest Column: Why Employee Benefits Matter
February 19, 2024As most company leaders and workers can attest, employee benefits play a critical role in the long-term success for businesses of all sizes. A comprehensive and well put together compensation…
PHA Participates in Senate Majority Policy Committee Hearing on Rural Health Care Challenges
February 19, 2024The Senate Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing about rural health care on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Public Policy Committee member and Vice President of Redstone@Home, Geoff Gehring, testified on PHA’s behalf. The goal of…
Lunch and Learn Recap: RFA for Managed Care Organizations in Community HealthChoices
February 19, 2024On Friday, PHA hosted a Lunch and Learn to discuss the 500+ page document. Mia Haney, CEO, identified important CHC Agreement terms and potential changes that can affect PAS providers. Members…