ASAP
A Weekly Publication Of HCA Home Care Association of New York State
Legislative Issues Public Policy
News
Volume 21, No. 6 February 12, 2016
HCA Hones Budget Proposals, Minimum Wage Estimates, as Advocacy Presses Forward HCA op-ed outlines stakes of $15 minimum wage relative to key home care program, reimbursement needs “long left unaddressed” HCA took to the pages of the Times Union this week with an op-ed outlining one of our major positions and concerns – that the proposed $15 wage mandate must be funded and not draw energy or focus at a time when other home care program and reimbursement needs must be addressed in the state budget. We also held several meetings with high-ranking legislative staff, including an important partnership effort with the community health coalition, while continuing to plan alternative budget language as a point of negotiation for our budget asks. See HONES p. 3
State Posts Proposed Rule on Physician Order Change for Home Care As reported in an alert to the membership this week, the state has published a proposed rule, long sought by HCA, to provide flexibility in the physician order deadline for home care services, extending it from 30 days to a full year, consistent with federal standards and Medicare. The posting begins a 45-day comment period. HCA will be voicing our strong support, and we urge members to do the same. We also extend our appreciation to the state Department of Health for moving forward on this long-sought change. See ORDERS p.2 Inside ASAP HCA Hones Budget Proposals, Wage Estimates, Advocacy.............1 State Posts Rule on Physician Order Change for Home Care.............1 Member Hiring Announcements..........................................................3 Rule Requires Medicare Reporting, Returning of Overpayments......5 Flu Declared Prevalent; Mask Requirement in Effect..........................6 FLSA Funding Update..........................................................................7 Wage Parity Forms Due March 1...........................................................8 President Obama Releases 2017 Proposed Budget...........................9 DOH Publishes Proposed Hospice Rule..............................................9 Downstate LHCSA Forum: March 29.................................................10 Senior Financial Managers Summit is a Must-Attend Program........11 HHCAHPS Data Submission Tool Reopened....................................11 New Condition Code Issued for Claims w/o Skilled Visits..............12 DOH Requests LTHHCP Waiver Extension........................................13 Guidance Coming on TALs, other Emergency Prep Updates............13 Legal Update Stresses HIPAA Implications for Home Care..............14 CMS Proposes Prior Authorization Demo in Five States..................14 MLTC Advisory Group Explores Value Based Payment Models.......15 FIDA and MLTC Update.....................................................................16 HCA Provides Memo on NGS Home Care, Hospice Updates.........17 GoldSTAMP Committee Plans 2016 Initiatives..................................17 Progress on HCA’s Sepsis Screening Tool and Protocol...................18 Updated FAQs Released for Accountable Health Communities......19 Publications............................................................................................................19
HCA’s offices are closed on Monday, February 15, for President’s Day and will reopen on February 16.
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