![]() The mayor of Duluth, Minnesota recently signed File # 21-023-O, which, effective August 19, 2021, broadens covered uses of leave under the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance, and amends employer notice and enforcement provisions. Before August 19, employers should review their paid time off policies to ensure they comply with the ordinance and, if they maintain an employee handbook, ensure the policy is included. read more
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Many providers are increasingly relying on the internet to fuel their recruitment pipeline given employment shortages, digital accessibility, costs, etc. While Home Care Pulse doesn’t discourage online recruitment efforts, it’s essential to measure your agency’s turnover rates for each recruitment source. In the 2021 Home Care Pulse Benchmarking Study, researchers saw new hires from the internet averaging 72%+ turnover rates, whereas word-of-mouth referrals were averaging only 47% turnover. Consider analyzing your current recruitment sources to see how your turnover rates per source compare to the industry.
CONNECTICUT: DSS Increases Medicaid Reimbursement; Nursing Home Workers Required to Be Vaccinated8/11/2021 ![]() At long last, HCAOA Connecticut's advocacy efforts and members' grassroots support have paid dividends in the form of Medicaid waiver rate increases issued by the Department of Social Services for HCBS. HCBS waiver providers will receive a one-time estimated 5% stabilization payment to be paid in the 3rd (current) quarter; 1.7% across-the-board rate increase, authorized under the new state budget, effective Jul. 1, 2021; and supplemental rate funding (see reinvestment plan for details). ![]() As many HCAOA members know, the Medicare Advantage landscape is changing quickly! Health plans can now offer additional supplemental benefits and services that are not primarily health-related and that target beneficiaries with certain chronic conditions. These changes led to a dramatic increase in plan activity to address social needs and prompted new business and technology innovations. To further dive into the changes happening surrounding social determinants of health (SDOH) or “the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes,” last week Better Medicare Alliance released a new study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago that outlines the many ways Medicare Advantage is taking action to address social determinants of health while acknowledging the barriers that still remain, and offering solutions for reform. ![]() HCAOA’s Ohio State Chapter will be joining the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice on August 25, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. to review the new license law for home care agencies that recently passed. This event will focus on what the requirements will be to help agencies prepare for the implementation of the regulation and to ensure members understand what is needed to come into compliance. ![]() As the country continues to see spikes in cases of the COVID-19 Delta Variant, many health care organizations are announcing they are mandating that their frontline workers get the COVID-19 vaccine. As the premier national trade association for home care organizations, HCAOA respects the decision of each individual organization and the decision of each employee regarding vaccination. HCAOA continues to be a staunch supporter of the vaccine and urges all members to continue efforts to educate workers and encourage them to get the vaccine. Several new resources are now available, including suggested talking points and messages for caregivers, clients, and the general community. ![]() All home care agencies are invited to an in-person meeting of the HCAOA Georgia State Chapter on August 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel. Reconnect with old and new colleagues, hear from leaders, and enjoy a great networking lunch. Click here to register. ![]() Last week, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Todd Young introduced the Choose Home Care Act of 2021 - a new bill to support in-home care alternatives to skilled nursing facilities. This legislation would allow for patients receiving skilled nursing or rehabilitation services from their home health provider to also receive meals, non-emergency transportation, remote patient monitoring, and more. ![]() HCAOA, Polsinelli law firm, and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice are teaming up to provide a legal update for the home-based care industry (home health, home care and hospice providers). Join us on August 26 at 12:00 p.m. ET to discuss the latest legislative and regulatory developments, including an update regarding the new OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard and its application to home care providers, Biden’s Executive Order seeking to ban non-compete agreements, and the status of the PRO Act. ![]() HCAOA members have expressed some concerns over the looming July 1, 2021 deadline for a new requirement that removes personal identifying information (PII) from court filings. With the removal of PII from records there was some concern by employers that it would be more difficult to obtain accurate employee background checks without data such as a date of birth. ![]() The Department of Social Services issued home health services rate increases, effective August 1, 2021, of 6% for home health aides, 31.7% for pediatric complex care skilled nursing service, and 3.5% for all other home health services except continuous skilled nursing. DSS has not yet issued rate increases for homemaker-companion services but the department and Office of Policy and Management are well aware of HCAOA Connecticut's concerns about minimum wage increases effective August 1. ![]() The HCAOA Florida State Chapter meeting will be next week on August 12! Be sure to register as soon as possible to secure your spot. This all-day event has a packed agenda featuring presentations from multiple top officials in the state, including: Kimberly Smoak, Deputy Secretary, Division of Health Quality Assurance, Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA); Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-84), Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee; and House Majority Leader Mike Grant (R-75) (via video), Vice Chair, Health & Human Services Committee. Click here to register. Learn How to Protect Your Agency from COVID Liabilities: Free Agency Momentum Webinar on August 258/4/2021 ![]() COVID not only continues to affect our daily lives, but it has altered the insurance landscape for the foreseeable future in how insurance companies respond to virus-related claims. Prior to the COVID outbreak, most insurance carriers did not have an exclusion for Communicable Disease on their policies. However, starting in 2021, it has become standard practice for many insurance carriers to include this type of exclusion not only for General Liability but under Professional Liability coverage as well. For industries such as home care with front-line essential workers, this can have a significant impact on an agencies' potential exposure to claims and lawsuits. ![]() President Biden announced new requirements for federal employees and onsite federal contractors regarding vaccination status, masking, and social distancing. All federal employees must either show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or unvaccinated workers must continue to wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and comply with weekly testing. These employees are also subject to travel restrictions. What does this mean for direct care workers contracted with the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network? |
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