March 11, 2024 | Volume 9, Issue No. 11

TOP STORIES:

Major State Budget Developments Expected Imminently
Today begins a significant week in the evolution of the State Budget. We anticipate both the Senate and Assembly to issue their one-house budget proposals later today or tomorrow, their formal response to Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget released in January.

HCA Meets with DOH 
On March 7, 2024, HCA met with the state Department of Health (DOH) Office of Aging and Long Term Care to discuss crucial issues affecting home care, hospice, and other long term care providers. 

DOH Issues Health Advisory on Return to Normal Activities
The CDC guidance and DOH Health Advisory state that these new guidelines do not apply to “healthcare settings” and HCA has confirmed with DOH that home care and hospice at home are considered a health care setting. 

Change Healthcare Cyber Incident Update 
Agencies affected by the Change Healthcare cyber incident are urged to contact the state Department of Health (DOH) if they are encountering financial, clinical or other difficulties. 

Congress Passes First “Mini-Bus” To Fund Government Through FY24
HCA intends to alert members of Congress and the Biden Administration that any savings from federal hospice programs should be reinvested in the hospice system.

A Message from HCA Vice President Patrick Conole: Join Us for the Virtual Senior Financial Managers Summit on Wednesday  
Attendees will get the latest news on the status and implications of the Governor’s proposed 2024-25 Executive Budget for home health and hospice as well as Fiscal Intermediaries in the Consumer Directed Program and Medicaid Long Term Care Plans (MLTCPs). HCA will also provide updates on our State and Federal Advocacy efforts on issues that impact your financial bottom lines.

Honoring Social Workers During National Social Work Month
The Social Work Month 2024 theme Empowering Social Workers underscores the need for our nation to better support social workers to address societal issues.

CMS Announces Hospice Carve-In Demonstration Will Be Terminated at End of 2024
Last week, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced its plans to end the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Medicare Advantage hospice “carve-in” demonstration December 31, 2024. CMMI will no longer accept applications to the previously released CY 2025 Request for Applications (RFA) for the hospice component of the Model.

NSG Issues Notice on NPPES Data Element Changes 
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Standards Group (NSG), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a notice in the Federal Register clarifying changes to the data elements providers must submit to the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) to obtain and maintain a National Provider Identifier (NPI).  

Implementing HIPAA Security Rule: A Cybersecurity Resource Guide
This publication provides practical guidance and resources that can be used by regulated entities of all sizes to safeguard ePHI and better understand the security concepts discussed in the HIPAA Security Rule.

Save the Date! 2024 Annual Conference Begins May 8
Mark your calendars! HCA's Annual Conference returns to Saratoga this May 8-9. This year, we are packing in all the fun and education over two days. 

New Guidance Released: Total Solar Eclipse Affecting New York State, April 8th
The entire event will last around 2 ½ hours, but the travel to and throughout NYS is anticipated to have tremendous impacts on the roads and travel time. 

HCANYS Releases 2024 State of the Industry Report 
This annual report brings together an analysis of Medicaid cost report data, home health and hospice statistical report data, state and federal labor statistics, and answers from home care and hospice providers and plans on the most recent financial conditions and trends survey, completed January 2024. 

Now Available! New Resources on Infection Control for Home Health Care Providers 
A 2022 Community Health Accreditation Partner report revealed that improper hand hygiene and protocols related to bags used to carry medical equipment or supplies into patients’ homes were among the Top 10 Home Health Deficiencies. 

Invitation to Submit Proposals to Present at HCA Conferences and Events
HCA E&R welcomes proposals from engaging presenters with expertise on topics that impact Medicare-certified, Medicaid-certified, and private duty home care providers, hospice providers and Managed Long Term Care plans. 

Tap Into HCA’s Resources!
The Home Care Association of New York State Education and Research (HCA E&R) has several free resources available for use and reference.  

Now Available! 2024 HCA Marketing Prospectus  
This year, we are once again offering several opportunities, and an expanded range of benefits in several sponsorship categories. These opportunities have been designed to offer you greater flexibility to select a sponsorship package and options that best support your engagement goals. 

Upcoming Important Deadlines      
Stay up to date on upcoming dates/requirements that impact home care, hospices and managed long term care plans. 

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

Senior Financial Managers Summit
March 13, 2024
9:00 am - 3:15 pm

Integrating Social Determinants of Health Screening Tool in Home Health Care: Regional Toolkit Training
Every Thursday Through March 28
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Enhancing Quality Improvement for Home Health Care: A 5-Part Series 
March 19, April 16, May 21 
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impacts on Emergency Preparedness for New York City Home Care Providers
March 27, 2024 
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM 

Home Health Hot Topics: Rocking the GG Items
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The Discharge Function Score of 2025 and What You Should Be Doing Now To Achieve the Best Outcomes
April 10, 2024
11 AM -1230 PM

Home Health and Hospice Tabletop Exercise to be Held in New York City
May 21, 2024
9:30 am to 12:00 pm

For more information on our upcoming education visit our education webpage.