Online Elder, Disability Resource Taps Alliance Member Directory

The Massachusetts Aging and Disability Information Locator (MADIL), an online service provided by the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, will now include the Home Care Alliance’s online member directory to help people connect with home health services.

“MADIL is a great resource for families and individuals seeking vital care services,” said Home Care Alliance Executive Director Patricia Kelleher. “I am pleased that the Alliance and our members are integrated into the search system and I applaud Health and Human Services for expanding people’s access to important information, which will make life easier for the elderly and disabled community.”

See our press release for more details.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

May 29 Update Available

The May 29, 2009 Update is now available on our members-only archive page.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

Alliance Seeking Testimony for Public Hearing

The Alliance is collecting testimony relative to a pair of legislative proposals that will be among others taken up by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing at their June 3rd public hearing.

They are: Senate Bill 535, An Act to Establish an Equitable Rate of Payment for Medicaid Home Health Services.

And, Senate Bill 552, An Act Requiring an Analysis of Medicaid Home Health Rates.

Since our annual Spring Conference begins on the day of the public hearing, the Alliance will submit written testimony and data to support these important proposals. We hope those interested in offering their support will send us their written testimony as well.

Check our Legislative Priorities or contact James Fuccione at the Alliance for more information on these bills.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

New Newsletters Online

The May 22 issue of Update and the May issue of Private Eye are available for download by Alliance members.

Rehab Managers Meeting July 15, 2009

These meetings are for Rehab Managers to share ideas, network with peers, and develop special projects pertinent to the quality management and performance improvement.

There are no fee to attend and registration is not required; simply show up and participate.

Contact Helen Siegel with questions or suggestions for agenda items.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

Emerging Leaders Spots Still Available

The scarcity of middle managers properly equipped to move into their companies’ leadership is a key challenge facing the home health industry.  To help combat this problem, the Foundation for Home Health has teamed with Suffolk University to develop the Emerging Leader program.

Full details are available in the brochure and registration form.  Applications are due by June 30, 2009.  There is a limit of 25 participants.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

Insurance Partnership Income Ceilings Increased

The Insurance Partnership, the state and federally funded program that helps small businesses (including the self-employed) and their qualified workers pay for company-sponsored health insurance have been increased.

Check this pamphlet from the Partnership for more information and to see if you qualify.

If qualified for the Insurance Partnership, both the business and employee receive assistance paying for their company-sponsored health insurance.  Businesses can receieve up to $1,000 per year for each eligible employee, while the employee’s monthly premiums can be reduced to as little as $27 per month (depending on income level).

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

HCA Holds Briefing for Congressional Staff

Executive Director Pat Kelleher and Director of Legislative & Public Affairs James Fuccione traveled to Washington DC in late March for the National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s annual conference. Along with several agency members, the Alliance held a briefing for Congressional staff on proposed cuts to home health in the President’s budget and also met with Congressman James P. McGovern.

McGovern continues to be a champion for home health and the Alliance is assisting his office in fighting the proposed reductions. The Congressman was also featured on the cover of Caring Magazine and has circulated a letter among his colleagues announcing the reconvening of the House’s Home Health Working Group.

For more details on this lobbying effort, see our press release and for more on the Congressman and Alliance’s advocacy work, please contact us or visit our Advocacy Center.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

Emergency Prep. Discussion Forum

As last winter’s ice storms and this season’s swine flu have reminded us, home care emergency preparation takes more than set of policies in a three ring binder.  In order to get discussion going on the topic before the Spring Trade Conference & Trade Show — which now has a new session on just this topic — we want to hear from you about what your own emergency prep plans.

  • Do you feel your emergency plan is action-ready, or is it just a set of policies?
  • Did you activate any part of it during the current outbreak?
  • Are there other potential emergencies you are more concerned with?
  • How did you compile your plan?
  • What can the Alliance do to help you improve your plan?

Please take just a few moments to post your answers in the comment thread below.

If you’ve already registered for the Spring Conference, we hope you’ll attend this forum.  If you haven’t, we’re still accepting registration online and by fax.

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

Alliance to Pitch Homecare IT Stimulus Funding

Expanding the use of healthcare information technology is a key focus of the federal economic stimulus program.  While the bulk of this funding is targeted for hospitals and physicians’ offices, the states have significant flexibility in how they distribute some of the funds.

The Alliance has scheduled a meeting with Mitch Adams, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, on Monday, June 1, to make our case for having some of those funds directed toward home health IT.

We need three or four agency IT directors to participate in this meeting to:

  • Describe how agencies currently utilize IT
  • Outline the possibilities for greater efficiencies and better care coordination and integration through expanded use of IT by home health agencies
  • Identify the “bang for the buck” that would result from investing stimulus finds into home health IT.

Members interested in participating in this important meeting should contact Tim Burgers, Associate Director at tburgers@hcalliancema.org.