Home Care Association of NYS

Governor Spitzer's 2008-09 Proposed State Budget

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:26:14 -0500

This memo summarizes Governor Eliot Spitzer’s 2008-09 proposed State Budget. It provides an overview of the proposed Budget and Governor Spitzer’s priority goals. It describes and analyzes portions of the Budget that are most relevant to home care, including Medicaid, other health provisions and the Health Care Reform Act (HCRA).

Most importantly, it provides detail on the Governor’s proposed home care appropriations and cuts. While some proposals are encouraging, such as the renewal of the $100M home care workforce recruitment and retention funding in HCRA, the omissions and cuts proposed in this Budget would be devastating to home care if enacted. HCA will be providing members with State Budget advocacy materials and action plans in the coming days.

2008-09 Executive Budget Reaction

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:10:36 -0500

For Immediate Release: January 22, 2008

Contact:
Roger L. Noyes (518) 810-0665; (518) 275-6961 cell
Joanne Cunningham (518) 810-3538 cell

Home Care Cuts In Governor’s Proposed Budget At Odds With Commitment to Patient-Centered Care

Home Care Association of New York State (HCA) calls Executive Budget proposal — including $82 million in new cuts — devastating to home health care

HCA President Joanne Cunningham today called the cuts contained in the Governor’s 2008-09 Executive Budget proposal “a dramatic blow to New York’s home care infrastructure.”

“We hope that Governor Spitzer — who so strongly supported home and community-based care in his previous budget — will reconsider these cuts, which jeopardize the very system of patient-oriented care he has emphasized since taking office.”

A Preliminary Report On The New York State Proposed Executive Budget

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:18:42 -0500

Yesterday, January 21, HCA staff were briefed by senior officials at the Department of Health (DOH) who provided some details about Governor Spitzer’s proposed 2008-09 Executive Budget, which will formally be unveiled at the state Capitol today.

Judging from what we’ve learned, and from other reports, it is anticipated that the Governor’s proposed Budget will have a devastating impact on New York’s home care patients and providers.

Governor Spitzer’s 2008-09 State Budget proposal contains new cuts in home care totaling $82 million ($41 million of which accrues in savings to the State), plus additional cuts in Managed Long Term Care (these have not yet been quantified). Without further detail, we believe these cuts would be on top of prior year Medicaid cuts that we suspect are also continued under this Budget.

Senator Hannon Incorporates HCA Amendments In Health Personnel Bill

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:20:24 -0500

HCA achieved an important goal this week with Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon’s introduction of amendments HCA and a health care industry workgroup offered that would extend the provisions of an HCA-developed home care personnel bill to other sectors of the health care industry. The amended bill is S.5503-A. […]

The complete memorandum is available as a download.

NYC Traffic Mitigation Plan and Home Health Care

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:08:16 -0500

The New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission is holding a public hearing today, January 16, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., and will possibly hold additional hearings next week to obtain comment on an interim report issued last week that evaluates four alternatives to Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan, each focusing on the following approaches: congestion pricing, bridge tolling, pricing of parking and taxis and license plate rationing.

The interim report can be found at https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/programs/repository/TCMC-Interim-Report.pdf

Quarterly DOH Home Care Meeting

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:14:59 -0500

The Division of Home and Community Based Care (HCBC) of the New York State Department of Health (DOH) held its home health quarterly meeting on January 9, 2008, to update the Association community on a variety of home care topics that directly affect home and community based providers. Some of the DOH representatives at the meeting included Judith Mooney, Cynthia Schaffhausen, Rebecca Gray, Al Lobalbo, Keith McCarthy, Linda Rush, Christopher Gimbrone and other agency representatives.

The meeting agenda is determined in part by the Associations, and some of the regulatory, legislative and other initiatives discussed included updates on the following: Criminal History Record Checks (CHRCs), Governing Board Survey, Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) Reporting Requirements, HIV/AIDs Patients enrolled in the Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP), Disenrollment of MLTC Patients and Enrollment into LTHHCP, Telehealth, Statistical Reports, LTHHCP Expansions Applications, Home Health Aide Training, New DOH Web Page for Home Care, and DOH organizational changes.

HCA's Response to Governor's State of the State Address

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:36:16 -0500

For Immediate Release: January 9, 2008

Contact:
Roger L. Noyes (518) 810-0665; (518) 275-6961 cell
Joanne Cunningham (518) 810-3538 cell

Statement From HCA President Joanne Cunningham on Governor Spitzer’s State of the State Address

Home Care Association of New York State (HCA) President Joanne Cunningham today said she was encouraged by the health care features of Governor Spitzer’s State of the State message, specifically its focus on “the right care at the right price in the right medical setting.”

However, Cunningham said, “More specifics are needed on the Governor’s plans for Medicaid before HCA can fully assess the impacts of his proposals on home care providers and patients, and the health care system overall.”

In Advance of Governor Spitzer's State of the State Address

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:28:30 -0500

For Immediate Release: January 9, 2008
Contact: Roger L. Noyes (518) 810-0665; (518) 275-6961 cell

HCA Urges Renewal of Governor Spitzer’s Pledge to Home and Community Based Health Care

In anticipation of today’s State of the State address by Governor Spitzer, the Home Care Association of New York State (HCA) has identified several key policy initiatives for renewing the administration’s commitment to home and community based health care.

The Governor, in last year’s address, said that spending must move “toward community and home-based alternatives, so seniors can have the care they want at a price they can afford.”

HCA's New Logo

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 12:27:27 -0500

For Immediate Release: January 7, 2008
Contact: Roger L. Noyes (518) 810-0665; (518) 275-6961 cell

HCA Rings In 30th Anniversary Year With Striking New Logo

New Look, New Logo, Same Commitment to Quality Home Health Care Services

Highlighting its reputation as advocate for New York’s mission-driven home care providers, the Home Care Association of New York State (HCA) today unveiled a new logo and organization colors.

“As HCA celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2008, we recognized that now is a unique opportunity to modernize the Association’s look and create a graphic identity that best reflects our position as the New York home care industry’s premier policy resource and advocate at the state and federal levels,” said HCA President Joanne Cunningham.

HCA Member News

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 13:35:30 -0500

Visiting Nurse Service of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties is the feature of a Times Union newspaper story today about the strong relationships that home health care aides forge with their patients.

Under the headline “One of the family,” the article describes how visiting nurses Kathy Bradley and Mary Unser have developed almost familial bonds with their patients, inspiring them to go beyond the call of duty in providing care. Joseph Twardy, VNS of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties president and CEO, is also quoted in the piece.

To read the complete article, go to the Times Union

HCA in the News

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:07:27 -0500

HCA and member Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center are mentioned in an article on home telehealth that appears in this week’s edition of Long Island Business News.

The article weighs the benefits of telehealth, focusing on recent trends, particularly government investment to promote use of the cutting-edge technology for home health care.

Karen O’Kane, vice president for continuing care services at Brookhaven’s home health agency, describes the quality of care attributable to Brookhaven’s use of telehealth.

Alexis Silver, HCA’s senior director of policy and development, comments on telehealth reimbursement mechanisms and the growing use of telehealth as a result of increased public investment.

DOH Posts Initial Medicaid Rates for CHHAs and LTHHCPs

Thu, 6 Dec 2007 07:53:14 -0500

This week, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Bureau of Long Term Care (BLTC)Reimbursement posted the initial 2008 Medicaid rates for Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) and Long Term Home Health Care Programs (LTHHCPs) to the Health Provider Network.

The 2008 initial rates for CHHAs and LTHHCPs cover the period of January 1, 2008 through December 31,2008 and include the 3% rate adjustment (Chapter 82 of the Laws of 2002) for purposes of improving recruitment and retention of non-supervisory home care services workers with direct patient care responsibilities. However, the 2008 initial rates do not include the add-on monies for the new recruitment, Training and Retention (RT&R) initiative ($100 million statewide) or Accessibility, Quality and Efficiency

HCA Regional Meetings Scheduled for November and December

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:01:37 -0500

HCA members are encouraged to register for regional meetings that HCA will hold across the State in November and December. At these meetings, HCA experts will offer cutting-edge guidance on the priority issue of Corporate Compliance for health care providers. This will be followed by an interactive session with members to discuss and further frame HCA’s 2008 State Policy Plan of Action.

Corporate Compliance
HCA, led by special counsel, Mark Thomas, Esq., Partner at Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman and Dicker, will describe the current environment and discuss the necessity for an in depth provider program and agency-wide culture for corporate compliance and integrity. This session will offer further insight into how providers can step up their corporate compliance plans to meet policymakers’ expectations of transparency and accountability. It will also provide practical tools and strategies for providers to implement and execute in their own organizations. The Corporate Compliance session will run from 10:00 am through Noon and is free to HCA members. Non members may attend for a fee of $200.

HCA Schedules PPS Update Programs

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:16:26 -0500

HCA is currently offering two programs to help members and their staff prepare for PPS changes in 2008.

Beyond the PPS Basics-Audio Conference
Friday, December 14, 2007 9:00 am - 12:00 Noon

IDC-9-CM Coding
January 10, 2008 9:30 am - 4 pm
Holiday Inn - Wolf Road, Albany NY

Program Information
Beyond the PPS Basics - Audio Conference

This educational program combines an overview of the final PPS changes with a comprehensive review of critical clinical and operational elements vital to success in the 2008 Prospective Payment System. Registration information is available online.

Beyond the PPS Basics - Audio Conference

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:12:53 -0500

Friday, December 14, 2007
9:00 am - 11:55 am
Audio Conference

Now that CMS has released the Final 2008 PPS regulations, technical updates and revised grouper logic, home health providers can assess their readiness as implementation rapidly approaches. A detailed understanding of the complexities of the final regulations, including the clinical case mix model revisions, revised OASIS elements and the expanded case mix diagnosis codes, is vital to succeed with the 2008 PPS regulations. Agencies can ensure a successful transition to the new PPS by participating in Beyond the PPS Basics. Trish Tulloch of RBC Limited will be the presenter.

This three hour educational program combines an overview of the final PPS changes with a comprehensive review of critical clinical and operational elements vital to success in the 2008 Prospective Payment System. Learn how your peers are preparing to meet the challenges of the revised 2008 home health PPS regulations and what strategies and tools are available to prepare your clinicians for refined practices to meet the intent and spirit of the newly proposed regulations.

Links for 2006-06-20 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PDT

MVP to offer Medicare HMO plan in Albany region - The Business Review (Albany):
MVP Health Care has received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer a Medicare Advantage HMO plan in eight New York counties.

Links for 2006-06-16 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PDT

The Seattle Times: Growing Older
My column addresses the many big and little dilemmas that people face as they age. It's intended for middle-aged and older women and men who are concerned about the needs of their aging parents — and their own future needs.

Links for 2006-06-01 [del.icio.us]

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 00:00:00 PDT

Virgin Atlantic to introduce on-board telemedicine - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com
Virgin Atlantic will be installing telemedicine devices on their entire fleet. The devices called Tempus are for use by non-medical personnel to take a patient's vitals and communicate via satellite with doctors on the ground.
Healthcare group says its members are good for the economy
Hospitals and health systems in the Albany, N.Y., market generate about $3.6 billion a year for local and state economies and support 34,250 jobs, according to a report by the Healthcare Association of New York State.