In The News

Colorado Delays EVV, But Not Dual Implementation

Posted: Aug. 9, 2018

Colorado's Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will delay the mandate by one year for Electronic Visit Verification, but the system will still go live in a soft launch on Jan. 1, 2019, and the state's earlier decision to implement for Personal Care and Home Health Services at the same time will not be affected. 

An EVV delay bill, H.R. 6042, recently was signed into law. The law delays the penalty of reduced Federal matching funds for EVV required services from Jan. 1, 2019 until Jan. 1, 2020.

"Colorado understands the Federal delay and intends to utilize additional time for implementation," the state said in a press release. "Accordingly, the Department will not mandate EVV on January 1, 2019."

"EVV remains a priority of the Department and we will continue to work diligently towards a successful system launch," the state added.

Additionally:

  • The Department is still scheduled to implement the Sandata Santrax solution Jan. 1, 2019.
  • Implementing the system as scheduled will allow additional time for EVV users to pilot the new solution before the mandate is effective January 1, 2020.
  • The Department is working on a delayed EVV timeline and will inform stakeholders of details over the next four to six weeks.
  • It is the Department’s intention to use extra time to continue stakeholder engagement, extend the pilot program, and implement a soft roll-out.
  • The Department currently hosts a monthly EVV stakeholder meeting and four sub- committees: System, Participant Direction, Privacy, and Training/Communications. These groups will continue to meet and work towards successful EVV implementation.
  • The Department encourages stakeholders to participate in these meetings.

The Home Care Association of Colorado is its members' partner in EVV implementation. Look to your association to continue to advocate for a responsible and easy-to-use system that works for all members. HCAC was instrumental in persuading the state to adopt an "open" model for EVV services as opposed to a "closed," or single vendor, model embraced by other states. 

HCAC is also making recordings of the working group and subcommittee meetings available to our members. You can view the latest meeting schedule here (you must be signed in as a member to view). 

Not a member? Join us!

 
 

In Case You Missed It: Colorado EVV System Subcommittee Recording Available To Members

Posted: Aug. 9, 2018

Although Colorado has slowed down its Electronic Visit Verification mandate following successful passage of a slow-down bill in Congress, the state continues to press on with implementation and soft launch of its system effective Jan. 1, 2019. 

This week saw the latest stakeholder meeting on the EVV System. HCAC members can access the agenda and the recording here (you must be signed in as a member to the HCAC website to view). 

Members can also view the latest list of subcommittee meetings here. 

Not a member? Join us!
 

Special Request From NAHC For HCAC Members

Posted: Aug. 8, 2018

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice is working on a comprehensive industry-specific report and needs the help of HCAC members.

Your participation will give you first access to the report.

Members: Click here to learn more. Not a member? Join us!

 
 

Medicaid Officials Target Home Health Aides' Union Dues

Posted: Aug. 9, 2018

Medicaid home care aides — hourly workers who help elderly and disabled people with daily tasks like eating, getting dressed and bathing — are emerging as the latest target in the ongoing power struggle between some conservative lawmakers and organized labor, NPR reports. 

About half a million of these home workers belong to the Service Employees International Union, a public-sector union that represents almost 1.9 million workers in the United States and Canada, the news service reported. The union is an influential donor to some Democratic campaigns and boasted strong ties to the Obama administration.

A rule proposed recently by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, under the Trump administration, would prohibit home health aides who are paid directly by Medicaid from having their union dues automatically deducted from their paychecks, though it doesn't name these fees explicitly.

Full story
 

Call For Speaker Proposals Now Open For HCAC's Spring 2019 Conference

Posted: August 10, 2018

The Home Care Association of Colorado's Education Committee requests compelling speaker proposals for the 2019 Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Conference.

The 2019 conference will be attended by hundreds of provider agencies in Colorado, Wyoming and adjacent states. An accompanying trade show will include interactive demonstrations from vendors from around the nation.

HCAC seeks the following:

  • Engaging keynote presenters who can enlighten our provider members in a time of great industry change
  • Breakout presenters addressing:
    • Private pay issues
    • Technology
    • Non-Medical issues
    • Regulatory and compliance
    • NEW FOR 2019: A one-day therapy track addressing the special needs of physical therapists and others practicing in a home-health setting
  • Pre-conference proposals for Wednesday afternoon. Pre-conference sessions typically each cover four hours and so are especially good for topics requiring a "deeper dive" in a workshop-style format. They require separate attendee registration.

What's needed

Submissions are expected to include a summary of Proposed Session (Note: this session description may be used in conference marketing and brochure; please limit to 150 words).

Additionally, three Learning Objectives must be provided. (Note: These learning objectives will be a critical component of granting education credit. Hint: Learning objectives should identify what the participant will get out of the session. Write objectives that complete one of these two sentences: (1) “By participating in this workshop, participants will . . .” or (2) “On completion of this session, participants will be able to . . .”)

HCAC's Education Committee will review the submissions after the Nov. 16 deadline and make its recommendations to HCAC's board. The association expects to announce the education schedule on or just after Jan. 1, 2019.

Submit Your Proposal Here!

 
 
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