2022 Hospice and Palliative Care Workforce Survey

Workforce issues have been identified has one of the major concerns for hospice providers across the country. 

So that we are able to paint a clear picture of the challenges hospice providers are facing, the NHPCO Workforce Workgroup, of which HHAC is one of a handful of participants, in collaboration with Hospice Analytics, has developed a short survey.

We request that the Administrator or designee of each hospice complete the survey by June 30, 2022. 

With much appreciation,

NHPCO Workforce Workgroup

Requests to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances (Provider Relief Fund)

Dear Provider:

Some providers have informed the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that extenuating circumstances prevented them from submitting a completed Provider Relief Fund (PRF) report in Reporting Period 1. Today, HRSA is announcing an opportunity for providers to submit a Request to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances for PRF Reporting Period 1 if one or more of the extenuating circumstances described below apply. 

From Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 22, 2022 at 11:59 pm ET, providers who did not submit their Reporting Period 1 report by the deadline may request to submit a late Reporting Period 1 report, via a DocuSign form, if certain extenuating circumstances exist.

During this process, a provider will chose which extenuating circumstance(s) prevented them from meeting the reporting deadline. The allowable reasons that constitute extenuating circumstances are as follows:

• Severe illness or death – a severe medical condition or death of a provider or key staff member responsible for reporting hindered the organization’s ability to complete the report during the Reporting Period.
• Impacted by natural disaster – a natural disaster occurred during or in close proximity of the end of the Reporting Period damaging the organization’s records or information technology. 
• Lack of receipt of reporting communications – an incorrect email or mailing address on file with HRSA prevented the organization from receiving instructions prior to the Reporting Period deadline.
• Failure to click “submit” – the organization registered and prepared a report in the PRF Reporting Portal, but failed to take the final step to click “submit” prior to deadline.
• Internal miscommunication or error – Internal miscommunication or error regarding the individual who was authorized and expected to submit the report on behalf of the organization and/or the registered point of contact in the PRF Reporting Portal.
•  Incomplete Targeted Distribution payments – the organization’s parent entity completed all General Distribution payments, but a Targeted Distribution(s) was not reported on by the subsidiary.

Requests to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances must indicate and attest to a clear and concise explanation related to the applicable extenuating circumstance; however, supporting documentation will not be required. If HRSA approves the request, the organization will receive a notification to proceed with completing the Reporting Period 1 report. Providers will have 10 days from the date they receive the notification to submit a report in the PRF Reporting Portal.

Providers who plan to submit a Request to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances and have not registered in the PRF Reporting Portal, should complete registration now. Registration instructions are on the PRF Reporting Webpage.

Please note that providers will also have an opportunity to submit a Request to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances for Reporting Period 2 if the extenuating circumstances are applicable. Providers will receive a notification regarding the process to submit a request for RP2 in the coming weeks.

Where can I find more information?

For additional information, please call the Provider Support Line at (866) 569-3522; for TTY dial 711. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Provider Relief Bureau

Health Resources and Services Administration

United States Department of Health and Human Services

Free Webinar about Colorado Home Care Benefit Programs

Join Beneficent for a 1-hour FREE zoom to learn invaluable information on programs that pay for care at home or a care facility.

Care Managers and Social Workers Earn 1 CEU Credit

Open the attached flyer to see upcoming dates and registration QR codes or, for a different time, RSVP to [email protected]

What You Need to Know to Prepare for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (From NAHC)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing partners with guidance and resources as they plan for the eventual end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and the Medicaid continuous coverage condition established under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. In line with that commitment, CMS will be communicating early and often with states and other partners to support planning and coordination of this unwinding process.

KEY RESOURES

CMS has created a new Unwinding homepage with additional tools and resources.

• On this page, you can find the new Communications Toolkit and graphics to help partners begin reaching out to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees so that they are prepared for the upcoming renewal, along with several other unwinding resources.
• The toolkit and graphics are available in both English and Spanish.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

On March 3, 2022, the CMS provided states with additional guidance and tools as they plan for whenever the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) does conclude. When the PHE does eventually end, states will be required, over time, to redetermine eligibility for all people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. The recently released guidance will help states keep consumers connected to coverage by either renewing individuals’ Medicaid or CHIP eligibility or transferring them to other health insurance options.

WHAT PARTNERS CAN DO NOW

Right now, partners can help prepare for the renewal process by educating people with Medicaid and CHIP coverage about the upcoming changes. People with Medicaid & CHIP coverage should:

1. Update their contact information with their State Medicaid or CHIP program; and
2. Look out for a letter from their state about completing a renewal form.

Key Messages for Partners to Share

There are three main messages that partners should focus on now when communicating with people that are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.

1. Update your contact information – Make sure [Name of State Medicaid or CHIP program] has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
2. Check your mail – [Name of State Medicaid or CHIP program] will mail you a letter about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage. This letter will also let you know if you need to complete a renewal form to see if you still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
3. Complete your renewal form (if you get one) – Fill out the form and return it to [Name of State Medicaid or CHIP program] right away to help avoid a gap in your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.