![]() Last week, more than 50 members of the HCAOA Florida State Chapter met with Kimberly Smoak, Deputy Secretary, Division of Health Quality Assurance, Agency for Health Care Administration (pictured left), which regulates home care agencies in Florida. During the meeting, Smoak shared details about common deficiencies and was very open to members’ concerns regarding surveyors being confused about non-medical agencies versus medical home health organizations. “We were very appreciative of Ms. Smoak’s openness to emphasize the differences to her surveyors. She had not realized that there was this confusion and looks forward to working with HCAOA members to clarify the differences,” said HCAOA Executive Director, Vicki Hoak.
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![]() Several states have recently announced COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health care workers, and HCAOA and state chapters are working with state officials to clarify how these mandates impact home care. For example, mandates in Washington, California, and New York do not include home care in some settings, while the order in New Jersey does include home care. ![]() There's still time to register and join the HCAOA Georgia Chapter THIS Friday, August 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta for the first in-person meeting in more than a year. Click here to register. ![]() As part of an ongoing effort to support members, the HCAOA South Carolina Chapter is surveying home care agencies to identify the major challenges they are experiencing in providing services. The survey will provide the Chapter with important information to serve as a resource to members and advocate on their behalf. The deadline to complete the survey is September 3. Click here to take the survey. ![]() The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. Vax Verify can be accessed here. ![]() The HCAOA Washington Chapter/WAHCA recently met with representatives from the Department of Health to seek clarification about the requirements for In-Home Services Providers under the Governor's Proclamation for COVID-19 Vaccinations (21-14). DOH released a frequently asked questions document about the vaccine requirements, including this response specifically related to home care. ![]() Governor Murphy issued Executive Order (“EO”) No. 252, which requires employees working in certain “covered settings” to be vaccinated or be tested for COVID-19 “at minimum one to two times weekly.” The EO lists two classes of covered settings: Health Care Facilities and High-Risk Congregate Settings. Registered Health Care Service Firms (HCSF) are included in the definition of “Health Care Facilities” and therefore these mandates apply to all HCSFs and their caregivers, nurses and internal staff. The terms of the EO go into effect on September 7, 2021. Family Caregivers Spend $7,242 Per Year: Support the Credit for Caring Act to Support Them8/18/2021 HCAOA supports the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide a $5,000 federal tax credit to eligible family caregivers. The average family caregiver spends $7,242 each year to care for a loved one, on things like home modifications, home care, and transportation. Lend your name to this important issue with a click of your mouse. HCAOA urges members to reach out to their elected officials to ask for their support of the Credit for Caring Act. Click here to send a pre-written message to your representatives - it only takes a minute!
![]() Florida employers can require employees to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations, submit records of such vaccination, and can implement other safety measures for their workplaces, notwithstanding national publicity suggesting that recent Florida rules, orders, and laws prohibit or discourage these public health measures. As the pandemic worsens it is important for employers to understand both the specific terms and the limits of Florida’s enactments. read more ![]() Mayor Bill Peduto signed a new Temporary COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, which will become Section 626B of the City of Pittsburgh Code. It requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time employees (and a proportional amount for part-time employees) for certain COVID-19-related reasons. 626B was passed as a new law, but it is nearly identical to Pittsburgh’s original Temporary COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (626A) that was in effect from December 8, 2020, through June 17, 2021. Though new 626B’s text largely mirrors that of 626A, there are some important differences. read more ![]() Many HCAOA member agencies provide care to children with serious illnesses. Please be sure to share this new resource, The Circle of Care Guidebook for Caregivers of Children with Rare and/or Serious Illnesses, with your caregivers. The National Alliance for Caregiving in partnership with Global Genes and with support by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals recently released this guidebook to provide caregivers with the support, services, and specialized information they need to care for a child with a rare and/or serious illness. The guidebook offers an extensive list of resources to help a caregiver in any situation throughout the entirety of their journey as a rare disease caregiver, compiled by those in the rare disease space and caregivers themselves. ![]() HCAOA is excited to announce that we have confirmed Mark Butler, Georgia Commissioner of Labor, to attend the Georgia State Chapter Meeting on August 20. This meeting features a full agenda, including updates on the Medicaid rate increase and a discussion about the fingerprinting delay, as well as lunch and networking with colleagues. Click here to register. ![]() There is a lot happening in the home care industry right now when it comes to mergers and acquisitions, investments, and more! A few of the most recent stories making headlines include Cressey & Company, a private equity firm focused on health care services and information-technology businesses, making a significant investment in Home Care Pulse. In addition, last week, Honor, a home care startup, acquired HCAOA member Home Instead - one of the largest providers of personal home care in the country. ![]() The Washington Department of Health (DOH) announced it is ending its PPE backstop and is specifically calling out In-Home Services agencies to make requests for PPE now. Agencies can request up to a 90-day supply. The state PPE backstop has been available to help support state agencies, counties, tribes and other partners through the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state transitions from how PPE needs were met during the peak of this pandemic, DOH is working to get PPE to the local level, where it is most useful. |
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