Situation Report | August 2, 2021
The state Department of Health (DOH) has begun restoring pre-emergency community health assessment requirements for Managed Long Term Care Plans and local departments of social services (see related story here), but what about assessments by Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) and Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs)?
Several HCA members have inquired about the status of CHHA and LHCSA patient assessments as well as aide supervision procedures.
At this time, DOH has indicated to HCA and our members that CHHAs and LHCSAs may continue to conduct aide supervision and assessments remotely when necessary, unless the CHHA or LHCSA is conducting the Community Health Assessment on behalf of a managed care plan, in which case providers should consult the latest July 26 guidance on resumption of in-person assessments (see related article here).
However, DOH stresses that agencies should nevertheless begin resuming in-person assessments and visits as soon as practicable and to document any problems or obstacles they encounter and actions taken to address those issues. DOH has also indicated that a guidance on in-person assessments and aide supervision by CHHAs and/or LHCSAs is forthcoming, suggesting that some resumption of longstanding procedures may be imminent.
HCA will, of course, immediately notify members of any formally announced change.
Members are also encouraged to closely monitor the Health Commerce System (HCS) for updates.
For a status report on all areas of COVID-19 regulatory relief, please see the COVID-19 resource page on HCA’s Home Care Prepare website.