WiAHC is happy to remind members about and provide links to the latest articles and information on the home health care industry from Home Health Care News and other publications:

·       ‘We’re in the Fight’: The Preserving Access to Home Health Act Is Introduced in the Senate

Home Health Care News - By Andrew Nolan | July 25, 2022

A new bill that would prevent the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from reducing home health payments this year – and until 2026 – was introduced in the Senate Monday afternoon. Dubbed The Preserving Access to Home Health Act, the bill was introduced by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), both of which have been longtime advocates of at-home care. Read more…

·       CMS Announces Unprecedented Quality Measure Set for Home- and Community-Based Services

Home Health Care News - By Andrew Nolan | July 21, 2022

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its first ever home- and community-based services (HCBS) quality measures Thursday. The agency said the measures will promote “consistent quality measurement within and across state Medicaid HCBS programs” and are a “critical step to promoting health equity among the millions of older adults and people with disabilities who need LTSS.” Read more…

·       Home Health Care Gained a Greater Share of Post-Acute Admissions Post-COVID

Home Health Care News – By Andrew Nolan | July 19, 2022

The home health industry gained a more significant share of post-acute care admissions after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, new data shows. There was certainly a feeling at the time that home health agencies were gaining more patient admissions that may have previously gone to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). And while some data has reflected that already, if there was any remaining doubt, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) July 2022 data book should cast that aside. Read more…

·       Home Health Providers, Staff In For ‘Rude Awakening’ Following Public Health Emergency Expiration

Home Health Care News - By Joyce Famakinwa | July 15, 2022

Though it sometimes may not feel like it, the expiration of the public health emergency (PHE) will, one day, come. And when it does, that will have ramifications on home health providers specifically, and home-based care more generally. With the declaration came a handful of waivers and flexibilities meant to alleviate the harsh impacts of the pandemic for home health providers. Read More…

Home Health Care News, which is part of the Aging Media Network, is a leading source for news and information covering the home health industry.

Join an informational webinar August 2 or 4

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is investing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to create a statewide home and community-based services (HCBS) grant program. The ARPA HCBS Grants offer an exciting opportunity for entities active in the state's Medicaid HCBS system to apply for $25,000 to $2 million in grant funds.

The program goal is to disburse grants across all Medicaid HCBS programs, distribute funds geographically across the state in both rural and urban areas, and support diverse organizations and populations served. Grant funding will strengthen the HCBS system and support quality and innovation in the delivery of HCBS in Wisconsin.

For example, grants may be used to:

• Support organizations and providers as they recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Develop and implement specialized training for direct care workers and managers.
• Help individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other significant disabilities find and retain work.
• Improve person-centered planning and implementation.
• Increase specialized care, services, and engagement for individuals with dementia, autism, children’s long-term care needs, or persons with other disabilities.  
• Expand the use of technology and telehealth by assisting HCBS providers with supplies and equipment.
• Reduce disparities and improve access to a diverse and culturally competent pool of HCBS providers.
• Develop other innovative ideas to improve HCBS services.
• Prepare information, including public health and educational materials, in accessible formats for people getting HCBS.
• Promote access to technology to facilitate human connection for people getting HCBS and their caregivers.
• Support quality initiatives that improve services and supports, and increase community engagement.
• Fund recruitment and retention activities for direct services workers of Medicaid HCBS providers.
• Purchase personal protective equipment and routine COVID-19 tests for direct services workers.

Applications will open August 11, 2022.

Visit the ARPA HCBS Grants webpage for details about the grant opportunity. You’ll find information about funding amounts, eligibility, timelines, and more. Please keep an eye on the grants webpage for more information as we draw closer to the release date.

In addition, DHS is hosting informational webinars to provide detailed information on the grant opportunity and application process. Use the links below to register for an upcoming session.

• Tuesday, August 2, 2022
  10-11 a.m. Central time
  Register Here

• Thursday, August 4, 2022
  1-2 p.m. Central time
  Register Here

By Hoven Consulting – WiAHC’s lobbying firm

• Uniform Death Reporting Standards Study Committee – First Meeting

The Legislative Council’s Study Committee on Uniform Death Reporting Standards held its first public hearing in Madison on Monday, July 18 at 10:00AM.  The meeting featured presentations by the state Department of Health Services, including from the State Registrar at the State Vital Records Office, a representative from a mental health organization and a children’s health organization, as well as the Chief Medical Examiner of Fond du Lac County.  A list of committee members, the full meeting agenda, as well as written presentations may be viewed on the legislature’s website.  

• DHS Announces Annual Adjustment of Health Care Provider Fees for Patient Health Care Records

Effective on the first day of each July, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services publishes an updated schedule of the maximum fees that health care providers may charge for producing patient medical records.  These fees are based on the consumer price indices for the prior two calendar years.  The fees vary based on the number of pages and the type of file provided (e.g., paper documents, microfiche, x-rays, etc.).  This fee schedule may be viewed on the Legislature’s website. 

• DSPS Secretary Dawn Crim Leaving Evers Administration

Earlier in July, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary Dawn Crim announced that she will be leaving the Evers Administration on August 1, 2022.  The State Medical Examining Board and the State Board of Nursing are housed within DSPS, which also processes nearly all occupational license applications in Wisconsin, including licenses for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.  Earlier this year, DSPS implemented an online platform for health care occupational license applications.  The agency will transition the remaining occupational licenses that they handle to their online platform in the future. 

Governor Evers has announced that DSPS Assistant Deputy Secretary Dan Hereth will be the DSPS Secretary-designee upon Secretary Crim’s departure. 

• State Supreme Court Decision on Local Health Officer Authority

On July 8, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that local health officials have the statutory power to issue public health orders without first getting permission from elected officials in their respective jurisdictions.  This case started out as a challenge from Dane County businesses against the authority of Public Health of Madison and Dane County (PHM&DC) related to COVID-19 emergency orders that PHM&DC Director Janel Heinrich issued.  These plaintiffs contended that the only way that these emergency orders could be enforced would be for the Dane County board to vote to approve them.  The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled – with a 4-3 vote – that existing state statute includes the authority for local health officers to issue such emergency orders without the approval of elected officials in their respective jurisdiction.  The full decision may be viewed here. 

• Governor Announces Over $5 Million in Healthcare Workforce Grants

On June 23, Governor Evers announced the award of more than $5 million in Workforce Innovation Grant Program funds to assist with healthcare workforce challenges in Wisconsin.  Specifically, up to $4.9 million will be awarded to the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP), which is the statewide organization that represents 16 community action non-profit organizations throughout our state.  These organizations focus on assisting low-income households.  With these funds, WISCAP will assist in paying for low-income individuals to receive training and education to become healthcare workers.  Up to $376,000 will go to the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay to assist in expanding the nursing faculty in order to train up to 152 nursing students. 

As was reported in last month’s Advocacy Newsletter, the CMS recently proposed to cut Medicare rates for home health services in 2023 by an unprecedented, permanent -7.69%. The net result of this cut along with inflation updates is -4.2% in 2023, equaling an $810 million cut starting next year. These devastating cuts would be disastrous for the industry.

Fortunately, the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022 was recently introduced in Congress to prevent these proposed cuts to home health payment rates from taking effect prior to 2026. Any adjustment needed to ensure budget neutrality under the new home health payment system would still be made within the budget window. If CMS determined that payment increases were needed to achieve budget neutrality, prior to 2028, upward adjustments would be made to support access to care.

Please utilize the extremely user-friendly NAHC Legislative Action Center, and with just ONE CLICK you can advocate for this important legislation with your Members of Congress!

Grassroots advocacy is the most powerful tool WiAHC has at its disposal to shape public policy – and building relationships with lawmakers is the most important aspect of grassroots advocacy. In effort to capitalize on our greatest advocacy resource – our membership – WiAHC has established our Coffee Conversations with Legislators advocacy program.

The initiative is designed  to help connect members with their local legislators. Under the program, the WiAHC Government Affairs Team will set-up in-district meetings between WiAHC members and state lawmakers who represent them in the Legislature. These meetings, which can be located at your facility, or a local coffee shop provide a tremendous opportunity for WiAHC members to build or strengthen their relationships with local legislators and to educate them on home health care and on policy issues important to home health care professionals and their patients.

WiAHC encourages all members to participate in this critical grassroots advocacy program. Please click here for more information on the program. If you’re interested in participating in the program, contact the WiAHC office at wiahc@badgerbay.co. 

The latest Marquette University Law Poll, which was released on June 22, shows that Wisconsin’s top political races – for governor and the U.S. Senate – are extremely close less than a month and a half from the primary and a little more than four months from the November general election.

In the Republican primary for governor, which will be held on Aug. 9, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is in a dead heat with construction magnate Tim Michels. The poll results showed 27 percent of Republican respondents favored Michels, while 26 percent backed Kleefisch. Other GOP candidates did not break the 10 percent mark.

GOP Governor Primary:

• Michels – 27%
• Kleefisch – 26%
• Businessman Kevin Nicholson – 10%
• State. Rep Tim Ramthun – 3%
• Other or Undecided – 34%

The poll also showed that all GOP candidates trailed incumbent Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) in projected head-to-head general election matchups:

• Evers: 47% — Kleefisch: 43%
• Evers: 48% — Michels: 41%
• Evers: 48% — Nicholson: 40%
• Evers: 51% — Ramthun: 34%

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, the winner of which will face incumbent U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R), current Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes led the pack with 25 percent support from Democratic poll respondents. Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry came in at 21percent, while Wisconsin State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski received 9 percent support.

DEM U.S. Senate Primary:

• Barnes – 25%
• Lasry – 21%
• Godlewski – 9%
• Outagamie County Exec Tom Nelson – 7%
• Other or Undecided – 38%

In addition, the poll also showed Barnes, Godlewski, and Nelson all leading Sen. Johnson in potential general election matchups:

• Barnes: 46% — Johnson: 44%
• Godlewski: 45% — Johnson: 43%
• Nelson: 44% — Johnson: 43%
• Johnson: 45% — Lasry: 42%

WiAHC is happy to remind members about and provide links to the latest articles and information on the home health care industry from Home Health Care News, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, and other publications:

·         Former CMS Administrator Predicts Dire Near-Term Outlook for Home Health Industry

Home Health Care News - By Andrew Nolan | June 23, 2022

The former U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, Seema Verma, did not paint a rosy outlook for the home health industry this week in Chicago. In fact, hardly any of what she said evoked optimism among operators in the crowd. Read more…

·         Home Health Stakeholders Weigh in On Industry ‘Tailspin’ Following Proposed Payment Rule

Home Health Care News - By Joyce Famakinwa | June 22, 2022

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a fairly negative proposed payment rule for the home health industry on Friday. Specifically, the proposal includes a 4.2% decrease to payment rates that, if finalized, dumps cold water on an industry that’s just starting to heat up again. Read More…

·         ‘The Stability of Home Health Care Is at Risk’: CMS Proposes 4.2% Decrease to Provider Payments in 2023

Home Health Care News - By Andrew Nolan | June 17, 2022

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its FY 2023 home health proposed payment rule late Friday. It comes with a decrease to payment rates by 4.2%, or $810 million less compared to 2022 rates. Overall, the proposed rule looks to be one that will be disappointing to providers, and one they will refute heavily in the public comment period. Read more…

·         Home Health Providers in HHVBP Demo States Struggled to Achieve Financial Upside

Home Health Care News – By Andrew Nolan| June 14, 2022

Despite being a significant regulatory change to the home health care industry, some providers aren’t so sure whether the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model will have that significant of a bottom-line impact. The proposed model is constructed in such a way where the very best performers receive the largest payment boost, with a maximum adjustment of 5%. The worst-performing providers, in contrast, are exposed to a 5% payment penalty. Read more…

·         CMS proposes payment decrease of $810M for home health in 2023

McKnights Home Care – By Diane Eastabrook | June 17, 2022

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing a 2.9% home health payment update ($560 million) for calendar year 2023. This update is expected to lead to a 4.2% decrease ($810 million) in Medicare payments, the agency said Friday. The update equates to an estimated 6.9% decrease that reflects the “effects of the proposed prospective, permanent behavioral assumption adjustment of -7.69% ($1.33 billion decrease), and an estimated 0.2% decrease that reflects the effects of a proposed update to the fixed-dollar loss ratio (FDL) used in determining outlier payments ($40 million decrease),” CMS said. Read more…

·         Higher IRS gas mileage rates no quick fix to caregiver crisis, NAHC says

McKnights Home Care – By Diane Eastabrook | June 14, 2022

The Internal Revenue Service is giving some relief to home care workers struggling to pay higher prices at the pump. Starting July 1, it is increasing the standard mileage rate for business travel by 4 cents to 62.5 cents. Although National Association for Home Care & Hospice President William Dombi applauded the move, he told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse in an email the higher rate is not an antidote to the caregiver crisis. Read more…

·         NAHC is pleased to share the results of the National Healthcare at Home Best Practices and Future Insights Study

NAHC | June 6, 2022

he National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is pleased to sponsor the National Healthcare at Home Best Practices and Future Insights Study and we encourage all relevant stakeholders to read the report carefully. over 1,000 agency sites represented, and we had the largest and most comprehensive study in the history of home care and hospice to date.  And now NAHC members can access the complimentary study report. Read more…

Home Health Care News, which is part of the Aging Media Network, is a leading source for news and information covering the home health industry. National Association for Home Care and Hospice is the largest professional association representing the interests of chronically ill, disabled, and dying Americans of all ages and the caregivers who provide them with in-home health and hospice services.

The Wisconsin Association for Home Health Care (WiAHC) was thrilled to present Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) with the organization’s 2022 Champion of Home Health Care legislative award for her leadership on policies to advance home health care in Wisconsin and strengthen the delivery of patient care provided by home health professionals. The award was presented to Loudenbeck at the WiACH 2022 Spring Conference held on June 2-3 in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Loudenbeck successfully lead the charge to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for home health services as part of the 2021-23 state budget bill. The long-overdue increase will help address the workforce challenges faced by home health care agencies as well as allow them the better serve Wisconsin’s home health care patients.

“Representative Loudenbeck was a strong voice for home health care during the 2021-22 legislative session, and she was instrumental in the successful effort to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for skilled nursing provided in a home health setting,“ said WiAHC Board member Tyler Baures, who presented the award to Loudenbeck. “Her leadership on this critical initiative cannot be understated and will help strengthen the state’s home health care workforce and expand access to home health services for the state’s Medicaid population.”

The Champion of Home Health Care award is presented at the end of each two-year legislative session to state lawmakers who exemplify WiAHC’s mission of promoting, protecting, and advancing the highest quality health care at home for Wisconsin patients. In 2022, WiAHC is presenting the award to only four legislators, including Loudenbeck. These lawmakers exhibited an exceptional commitment to supporting home health care based on several factors, including voting record, sponsorship of legislation, and responsiveness to critical home health issues during the 2021-22 session.

Loudenbeck, who was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2010, represents the 31st Assembly District, which includes portions of Rock and Walworth Counties and serves as the Vice-Chair of the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. She is currently running for Wisconsin Secretary of State.

“Home health professionals provide quality care and peace of mind to individuals and families across Wisconsin. I am happy to support their important work,” said Loudenbeck.

Please find below the full list of state lawmakers who received recognition from WiAHC for their support of key initiatives during the 2021-22 legislative session to advance the state’s home health care industry. Legislators who displayed exceptional support of WiAHC were recognized as a Champion of Home Health Care. Legislators who displayed general support were recognized as a Friend of Home Health Care.

• ·         Champion of Home Health Care:
• o   Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
• o   Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma)
• o   Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)
• o   Rep. Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield)

• ·         Friend of Home Health Care:
• o   Senator Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg)
• o   Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)
• o   Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam)
• o   Rep. Rick Gundrum (R-Slinger)
• o   Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester)

By Hoven Consulting – WiAHC’s lobbying firm

• WiAHC Legislative and Regulatory Priorities Survey – Summary of Results

To prepare for the 2023-2024 state legislative session, WiAHC conducted a membership-wide survey in May to seek member feedback on potential WiAHC legislative and regulatory priorities.  Based on the survey, the following topics were identified as the top three policy issues:

The WiAHC Legislative Committee and leadership will continue to work to finalize the policy agenda.  Once that is completed, it will be shared with the full membership in a future newsletter. 

• Legislative Council Study Committee Members Announced

As mentioned in a prior WiAHC monthly newsletter, the legislature organizes study committees in even-numbered years to hold public hearings and perform in-depth reviews of various state policy matters facing Wisconsin.  Legislators and members of the public are members of these committees.  Once these committees complete their series of public hearings in late 2022 or early 2023, they will draft legislation to address these policy areas and submit them to the legislature for possible consideration. 

Two of these committees will likely be of interest to WiAHC members:  the Study Committee on Occupational Licenses and the Study Committee on Uniform Death Reporting Standards.  In early June, the legislature selected members of both committees.  The Occupational Licenses committee includes two members from the health care field – a senior vice president from the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the director of business development from a rural community clinic.  The Uniform Death Reporting Standards committee includes two medical examiners and a public health nurse. 

These committees will likely hold their first meeting later this summer.  The committees will hold public, in-person meetings in Madison once per month until they have completed their work.  It is likely that these committee meetings will be streamed live on Wisconsin Eye.  Of course, the WiAHC government affairs team will monitor the work of these committees.  

• DHS Announces Grant Program Promoting Health Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

In May, the state Department of Health Services announced their “Moving Forward Together Grant Program”.  This program is intended to improve equity with respect to COVID-19 vaccination in Wisconsin.  Various community organizations are eligible to apply for grant awards, which are capped at $400,000 per grant, to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in Wisconsin, particularly in underserved communities.  DHS will accept grant applications on a rolling basis until funding is no longer available.  However, it is important to note that grant expense reimbursement will occur through November 30, 2022.  More information is available at:  https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/moving-forward-together-grant.htm

• DSPS Eliminates Fees to Increase Participation in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

In early June, the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) announced that the agency is no longer charging fees to integrate the Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (ePDMP) into electronic health record systems managed by health systems and other health care entities.  The intent is to simplify access for health care organizations, as well as increase wider participation within the health care community.  To apply for a no-monthly fee ePDMP integration or for more information, go to the ePDMP website. 

The WiAHC Spring Conference took place June 2-3 at The Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. It was a great success! There were 70+ participants. National speakers included William A. Dombi, Esq. President, National Association for Home Care & Hospice; Teresa Northcutt, BSN, RN, COS-C, HCS-D, HCS-H, Consultant, Teresa Northcutt LLC; Aparna Gupta, Vice President of Quality, National Hospice and Palliative Care Association; and Michelle Horner, Manager Post-Acute Education, Netsmart/McBee.

Here is what the attendees shared about their experiences.

I enjoyed the conference very much!!  Great Venue-polite, helpful staff, comfortable accommodations.  The content was helpful.  Speakers were knowledgeable and delivered the content proficiently and kept me engaged.  Thank you!
~ Michelle Esser, Upland Hills Health Home Care & Hospice

The WiAHC conference always brings in quality speakers!
~ Anonymous

Thank you to the Spring Conference exhibitors!

• CareVoyant, Inc.
• CasheSoftware
• HealthPROHeritage LLC
• Herzing University
• Homestyle Direct
• McKesson Medical-Surgical
• Medline Industries, LP
• Sandata
• Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library