Informational Memo - Private Duty Nursing (PDN) Temporary Administrative Approval Process Extension (Dec. 6, 2022)

The purpose of this Informational Memo is to inform stakeholders of an extension to the temporary administrative approval process for PDN services through at least Feb. 28, 2023, and what this means for members and providers. Based on stakeholder feedback, the Department also intends to use this memo to clarify ongoing PDN benefit information for members and stakeholders and reiterate provider responsibilities related to the PDN benefit.

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Help HHAU and HCAOA Pass the Homecare for Seniors Act!

The Homecare for Seniors Act is gaining serious momentum in Washington, DC, and we need your help to get it passed and signed into law!

As you may know, the bill would allow home care services to be paid for with money from a Health Savings Account. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), the sponsor of the bill, has formally asked Senate leaders to add this bill to an end-of-the-year package of bills, making it much more likely that it will pass.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to have a pre-written letter sent to your member of Congress and your Senators asking them to support the Homecare for Seniors Act now! Make your voice heard in Washington and help make homecare more affordable!

Thank you for your advocacy!

Now Available– Final OASIS-E Instrument and OASIS-E Changes from Draft to Final Instrument & Manual

The final OASIS-E instrument, effective January 1, 2023, is available in the Downloads section on the OASIS Data Sets page. A log of changes from the draft to final instrument and Manual is also available in the Downloads section on the OASIS Users Manuals page.  

New Report Highlights Significant Home Care Challenges, Gaps, and Opportunities Amid Growing Demand for Services

Integrated Home Care Services

Integrated Home Care Services, Inc. (IHCS), the nation's leading independent home care benefits administrator of home health, durable medical equipment (DME), and home infusion services, has released a new report highlighting the results of an in-depth survey of health plan executives.

The report entitled "Are Health Plans Prepared for Home Care's Rapid Ascent?" details findings from a survey of 47 health plan leaders familiar with their plan's home care offerings. The independent survey was conducted in September 2022 by national healthcare consultancy Sage Growth Partners.

Results show a growing recognition of the value of delivering healthcare within the home, as well as a rising demand for home-based services among patients and their family members. Ninety-one percent of survey respondents said demand for home care services has risen over the past five years—and they expect that trend to continue. That's consistent with both industry and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' projections.

Additionally, 96% of respondents indicated that home care costs have increased over the past five years, with more than one-quarter saying costs have increased more than 10%.

"Nationally, there continues to be a significant growth in demand for home care services," said Christopher Bradbury, CEO of IHCS. "This is not surprising, given the surging senior population, the popularity of home care, the advances in homecare-related technology and the significantly lower costs of home care services when compared to facility-based care."

Among other key findings in the report:

• 80% of respondents predicted the increase in home care utilization is permanent.
• Only 38% said their organization is performing "very well" when it comes to supporting the home care needs of plan members. While 60% said they do this "moderately well."
• Nearly two-thirds say executives meet rarely or occasionally to discuss home care.
• 75% said reducing the administrative burden of home care is a top benefit of delegating services to a third party. About 50% said improving service coordination is a key benefit.

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