![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
October 12, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() News Update
Senator Robert Casey (D-PA), a staunch friend of the elderly and disabled, has unveiled legislation that would provide a 10% increase to the federal share (FMAP) of home and community-based services (HCBS) for two years. The legislation would essentially extend the HCBS funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and provide states with an additional two years of funding.
Source: NAHC, Oct. 6, 2023
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded telehealth benefits to limit community spread and keep vulnerable patients in their homes while maintaining access to care. In April 2020, CMS revised Medicare regulations on an interim basis to retroactively allow home health agencies (HHAs) to use telehealth services beginning March 1, 2020. In November 2020, CMS finalized changes to those regulations to permanently allow home health services to be furnished via telehealth. While Medicare makes payments for some types of telehealth services, the final regulations prohibit payments for home health services furnished via telehealth. At the start of our audit, CMS did not require HHAs to report telehealth services on Medicare claims. Therefore, oversight agencies lacked the ability to effectively identify and monitor those services.
Source: OIG, Sept. 25, 2023
On Wednesday, Oct. 4, four members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to CMS and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expressing their concerns with a CMS proposed design for the hospice special focus program (SFP), details of which were laid out in the CY2024 Home Health proposed payment rule. The lawmakers’ letter echoes the concerns of NAHC and the broader hospice community, closely aligning with the arguments and recommendations NAHC shared with CMS earlier this summer.
Source: NAHC, Oct. 5, 2023
Jason Lee is joining the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) at a pivotal time for the personal home care industry.
Lee kicked off his first week of work at the association last week. There are many goals he’s set for himself and his team in the near-term future, but he first has to get his feet underneath him.
To do that, he’s taking in as much as possible from those who have been through it all in the industry. That includes Vicki Hoak, the former CEO of HCAOA, who announced she would be leaving the association in April. Lee, who most recently worked in the dental industry, spent hours asking Hoak questions during the last week of September.
Source: Andrew Donlan, Oct. 10, 2023
![]()
![]() Membership News
Corcoran Consulting Group LLC is delighted to announce the addition of Guy Tommasi, a nationally-renowned authority in the realm of private duty non-medical home care, to its distinguished team of experts.
In his capacity as Senior Vice President and Managing Consultant for Home Care Services, Tommasi will play a pivotal role in providing strategic counsel to Corcoran's home care agency clients. His expertise will guide these agencies in aligning their operations, expanding their client base, bolstering their caregiving teams, and showcasing their value to payers amidst the ever-evolving landscape of home care.
Source: Corcoran Consulting Group, Oct. 4, 2023
![]() For the third year in a row, the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home engaged members via Regional Meetings. Membership and Education Director Courtney Verissimo and Pres/CEO Tracy Wodatch connected with members across the state at five different locations: Mozaic Home Care and Hospice in Bridgeport, Nurses at Home in Avon, Visiting Nurse & Health Services of CT in Vernon, AccentCare in Middlebury, and VNA Southeastern CT in Waterford.
The regional meetings were a great opportunity to share the support for our membership pillars: Get Connected, Be Informed and Create Change. Areas covered included our many membership benefits through Committee, SIGs, listservs, educational offerings, legislative and grassroots advocacy and business solutions and discounts to promote long-term viability and sustainability. Thank you to all who attended and to the agencies who hosted! ![]()
![]() Education
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Issues | Subscribe | cthealthcareathome.org | Advertise with Us | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||