MICHIGAN HOME HEALTH ASSOCIATION



2014 – 2015 YEAR IN REVIEW – THE HIGHLIGHTS

Presented May 13, 2015

Message to our Members: Our 2015 report of accomplishments spans the period June 1, 2014 to our Annual Meeting held May 13, 2015, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan. Reflected in this overview are examples of how we work and what we’ve all done to produce favorable results for our members and the home care industry in Michigan and collaboratively with our association colleagues in Michigan and across the nation. What follows is a compilation of the activities and accomplishments reported by the committees that make up your Michigan Association for Home Care. Thank you for your continued support. --- Deb Holman, Board President, Barry Cargill, Executive Director.

Board of Directors/Administration

• WE ARE STRATEGIC… Home Care is a resilient and continues taking action to become more efficient and or to diversify to reduce dependence on reimbursement from government reimbursed program. Private pay home care services are a growing industry and an important complement to government reimbursed services. The Michigan Association for Home Care is aggressively lobbying at the state and national levels of government to improve the Legislative and Regulatory environment for home care services. Collaborations with other organizations will continue to be an important strategy to meeting our advocacy goals and the challenges imposed upon our members by the current wage of health care reforms. In particular, we appreciate our positive working relationship with our national partners such as the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the Partnership for Home Care, the American Association for Home Care, VGM, National Alliance for Complex Rehab Technology, National Government Services, and the Center for Medicare Services. At the state level we enjoy valuable relationships with the Michigan Hospital Association, Michigan Peer Review Organization, Area Agency on Aging, Leading Age, Health Care Association of Michigan, Michigan Medicare, Silver Key Coalition, Coalition to Protect Auto No-fault, the Michigan Health Council, the Michigan Society of Association Executives, and many more.

• MICHIGAN HOMECARE, BRAND. It was two years ago when our Board leadership engaged the Association in a branding campaign with the objective to bring all segments of our membership together as one umbrella organization. The following year in 2013, the membership approved the Board’s recommendation for the new name and brand.

The Michigan Association for Home Care is the parent organization of the Michigan Foundation for Home Care (MFHC) and the Michigan Home Health Political Action Committee (PAC). All the combined entities combine to become our BRAND, Michigan Home Care. The Boards’ next step was to complement the brand with the tagline Health@Home, which describes what our members do.

• SAME MISSION… In 33 years, the Michigan Association for Home Care has had three different names but our mission and purpose remains generally the same. Our name reflects the broad umbrella of all segment of home care including certified home health, home medical equipment, hospice, private duty and pharmacy infusion. After first meeting informally, our founding leaders formed the association in May of 1982, naming it the Michigan Home Health Assembly representing home health, hospice and private duty. In 1989 we embraced new home care segments into our membership including Home Medical Equipment and Pharmacy Infusion to accomplish representation of all segments of the home care industry under one organization. Our mission has withstood the “test of time”. Michigan Home Care Mission remains:

“The unified voice, principal resource and advocate for the success of our Member organizations as best practice providers of home health, hospice, private duty, home medical equipment and pharmacy-infusion services for the residents of Michigan”.

• Michigan Association for Home Care. The Michigan Association for Home Care is a business trade association. We aggressively represent our members by lobbying at the state and federal level to fight for the legislative and regulatory issues important to our members. We actively support for ethical best practices within the industry and provide education, training, networking in support of the interests of our members. The Michigan Association is the Parent Organization under which all our subsidiary organizations operate.

• Michigan Foundation for Home Care. The MFHC is a subsidiary Foundation operating under the Michigan Association for Home Care. It operates as a 501 c 3 Public Charity Foundation. This year, all our educational and scholarship programs operate under the Foundation as a means to maximize charitable contributions to support the educational and research needs of the home care industry her in our state.

• The third entity operating under the parent organization is the Michigan Home Health Political Action committee (PAC). The PAC is an independent committee organized to support candidates who support home care to state elected office.

Michigan Home Care is who we are.

Health@Home is what we do.

• On-going Strategic Planning… Strategic Planning is not something the Board does every three-five years and then file and forgets it. The Board knows that home care is changing constantly and devotes a portion of the time at each meeting to discuss one or more topics of strategic importance.

• Keeping Up With Change…. Factors such as the Affordable Care Act, the aging population and continued decline of government reimbursement have sparked home care organizations into a phase of mergers and acquisitions. The Board is committed to continuing to position the association to offer support in meeting these challenges. With innovative new programs and access to resources we will continue to be there to support the interests of our members. Change is far from over and if you are a member of Michigan Home Care today, you are a survivor. You, your career and organization will be stronger because you are a member of Michigan Home Care. Board leaders believes firmly we all are in this together and are stronger when we hold together to fight unreasonable regulation and laws that threaten our industry but also offer opportunity for the future. We believe that the future of our industry is very bright and that a strong home care industry helps more patients choose to stay in their home.

Reimbursement Committee:

Committee Leadership: Chris Kisell, Crittenton Home Care

Amy Gill, Jessup Group.

• The Committee developed questions and raised them at quarterly liaison meetings with our fiscal intermediary (NGS).

• Provided representation on the Blue Cross Liaison Team, addressing timely questions to support the home care relationship with BC.

• Continued the Reimbursement Forum Listserv to share timely issues and information among financial managers, owners and agency leadership.

• Blue Cross speaker presented at the Billing Subcommittee.

• Continued to conduct a Billers Forum, which was met with strong attendance and positive response. Information about upcoming forums and highlights submitted through Bulletin Board.

• Participated in Legislative Day at the Capitol to help our lawmakers understand Homecare and its importance in the community.

• Conducted monthly review of multiple websites (Federal Register, CCH, etc.) to ensure coverage of all issues.

• Contributed Committee input to the design and implementation of Michigan Home Care’s schedule of workshops and seminars, as well as the Annual Conference.

• Responded to payer issues to find solutions.

• Continued monitoring of benchmarking statistics for certified line of business.

• Created a benchmarking survey for Certified agencies to improve the usefulness of the Benchmarking Report.

• Created a New Private Duty Benchmarking Report for agencies.

• Committee kept up to date regarding the transition of IACS for cost reporting.

• Assisted members with Medicare claim problems. Informed members of new episode rate and wage indexes for Certified, as well as new Hospice rates and wage index.

• The Billing Subcommittee continued the billing Forum listserv.

• Continued using teleconferencing to reduce agency costs and maximize member participation.

Clinical Operations Committee:

Committee Leadership: Sara Simonds, Mercy Home Health

Coleen Murphy-Deorsey, Optimal Care, Inc.

• Continued to support a clinical networking process for participating members with regular monthly meeting with conference connections for remote participation.

• Worked with liaison committees, including MDLARA, NGS, and BCBSM.

• Continued commitment and collaboration regarding new regulations with subcommittees: Psych, Rehab, Reimbursement, and Infection Control/Infusion.

• Participated and supported MPRO/KPRO initiatives for quality of care and outcomes with global Care Transitions projects.

• Submitted commends on CMS final Rule for Home Health.

• Face-To-Face discussion and implementation success strategies shared monthly and forwarded to the Regulatory Committee to develop evidenced based best practice.

• Monthly survey sharing segment with transparency to assist other agencies.

• Fraud and abuse discussions in support of the aggressive actions of Federal Agencies to fight Medicare Fraud in Michigan.

• Provided learning opportunity for available conferences through Michigan Association for Home Care.

• Monitored and provided comments on CMS and Michigan Medicaid programs such as Dual Eligibles Program, Medicaid expansion and others.

• Updates and discussions regarding impacts of imposed regulation and laws that affect home care.

Psychiatric Subcommittee:

Committee Leadership, Pam Wozniak

• We continue to work closely with the Clinical Ops Committee and have accomplished all goals, and assigned projects.

• We have reviewed and made necessary revision to previously published manuals, and all participants in the Psych training program have completed all requirements as set out in the program approved by NGS.

• The subcommittee remains available to meet as new Psych projects are directed by the Clinical Operations Committee.

Regulatory Subcommittee:

Committee Leadership: Valerie Ghaller, Reverence Home Health & Hospice

• Collaborated with other Michigan Home Care committees to report activities and outcomes to share committee experiences to the Board and other committees.

• Provide an atmosphere and opportunity for timely distribution and discussion of quality and regulatory information and membership responses.

• Compare Home Health Reporting and CMS Risk Adjustments from OASIS C data set.

• CHAPS - Monitor and Review.

• CARE – Work with the quality improvement organization.

• Reviewed OASIS C (Outcomes and Assessment Information Set) and the CMS OASIS C Guidance Manual, discussed best practice for process measures and education for clinicians.

OASIS C Audit tools -

Timely Initiation of Care

Drug Education – High Risk Meds at Start of Care

Drug education all meds in short term Episode of Care

Influenza Vaccine received current season

Pneumonia vaccine received ever.

• Agencies who are participating on the MI STAAR and MPRO Transitions of Care projects shared information and efforts to decrease acute care hospitalizations.

• Face-to-face implementation and monitoring of Michigan Home Care developed form and educational information.

• Diverse Hot Topics continue to be brought to the meeting for discussion, agencies representatives share solutions and/or request question to be taken to another committee such as MDCH & Rehab subcommittee.

• Responded to multiple issues brought by Michigan Home Care members to monthly meetings.

Rehab Subcommittee:

Committee Leadership: Andrea Herbert, Reverence Home Health & Hospice

• Served as a resource for Final Rule changes and the impact on therapy clinical practice.

• Served as a resource for the state licensing process of PTAs, OTs and SLPs.

• Continued to coordinate with the Education Committee to create a stronger therapy presence at the Annual Conference.

• Shared continuing education resources within our membership.

• Assisted members, insurance companies and individuals with rehab-specific questions by sending them information or directing them to appropriate resources.

• Continued to explore new areas to coordinate our efforts to benefit individual agencies and Michigan Home Care.

• Next year will merge the Rehab Subcommittee into the Clinical Ops Committee for expanded awareness of Rehab issues.

• Goals for 2014 will include continuation of membership support for insurance, licensing, documentation, best practice and continuing education presentations and requirements as they relate to home health therapy services.

Infection Control Subcommittee:

Committee Leadership: Melody Ford, ABF Home Care

Debbie Opalewski, Henry Ford Home Infusion

• Continued to collaborate with other Michigan Home Care committees on crossover issues.

• Continued to monitor statistics through Strategic Healthcare Programs for Home Infusion, a benchmark company for Home Infusions.

• Focused on regulations, updates and new equipment in the infusion therapy field through relationships with INS (Infusion Nurses Society).

• Continued to focus on regulations and updates through the CDC related to pandemic preparation, as well as TB monitoring for home care agencies.

• Continued to focus on flu vaccine recommendations for Home Care Staff and patients. Used CDC website as reference for Infection Control Recommendations.

• Continued to focus on strategies to increase committee participation.

• A diligent effort continues on updating Michigan Home Care Infusion Policies and Procedures, and Protocols, referencing new INS Standards released early 2011.

Education / Training Committee:

Committee Leadership: Deborah Holman, Hart Medical Equipment

Coleen Murphy-DeOrsey, Optimal Care, Inc.

• Conducted numerous workshops at the Michigan Home Care offices on a wide variety of issues.  Topics included ICD-9 & 10 Coding and OASIS.  The workshops included training events to prepare participants for credentialing for certifications in OASIS and ICD-9 Coding as well as changes that will occur with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. 

• Provided multiple webinars to maximize participation and reach all segments of our membership, many who could not otherwise been able to participate because of travel limitations.  

• Developed a three-day Annual Conference to provide all member segments CEU’s and learning opportunities from local and nationally recognized leaders in home care.    Some 51 exhibitor booths were sold for the 2015 Conference at the Grand Traverse & Spa. The 2015 Home Care Conference is one of the best state home care conferences in the nation offering a diversity of topics, expert presenters and international professional speakers.

• Michigan Home Care University’s long-distance learning campuses continue to offer more than 70 courses with continuing education credit, and can be taken by employees at any time of any day in the year. We partner with Rochester Community Technical College to bring this long-distance learning program to Michigan and are the exclusive subscriber for the entire state, buying the program to make available free of charge as an exclusive benefit to Michigan Home Care members only. Enrolled Michigan Home Care members in over 4000 courses with a 98% satisfaction rate. We lead the nation in the number of home care employees enrolled and the number of courses completed

• Added RCTC Webinar opportunities for members for an additional fee. Many of these classes are now ANCC accredited for nursing contact hours.

• Added RCTC Live Webinar opportunities for members to purchase for an additional fee.

• Recognize members with the $2,000 Allied Health Scholarship Award. For the first time, offered the Michael G. Bartz Memorial Scholarship, a $2,000 scholarship funded by contributions to the 2014 silent auction. Awarded the “Spirit of Caring” Award through a competitive process to reward a deserving home care provider.

• Implemented a new on-line Home Health Aide Certification program in partnership with the Institute for Professional Care Education (IPCE). Special Discounts for Michigan Home Care members.

• New Education partnership with the Fazzi Learning Center with special discount for Michigan Home Care members.

Private Duty Committee:

Committee Leadership: Sheila Doeden, Senior Helpers

Tom Riley

 

• Private Duty agencies were well represented at the Michigan Home Care Annual Legislative Day.  Members spoke with their respective legislators regarding the establishment of talking points focused on private duty.  Of particular note were issues involving Licensure of Private Duty. 

 

• Continued negotiations on licensure legislation as well as education and advocacy for passage of licensure.   

 

• Monitored Legislative issues and provided feedback to the General Membership through the Michigan Home Care Monthly Bulletin.

 

• Continue to provide networking opportunities for Private Duty members.

 

• Speakers were invited to present at committee meetings as pertinent to changes in health care reform, reimbursement, and other applicable issues.   Topics of particular interest were changes to health insurance exchanges, Medicaid Expansion and restoring the companionship exemption and defining the meaning of “Live In” caregiving. 

  

• Educated all segments regarding the increasing importance of private duty services to diversity revenues for all membership segments as a means to offset declining Medicare reimbursement. 

 

• Establishment of a new P&L bench marking study being conducted by the PD committee and MI Association for Home Care Members in 2015-2016.

HME Committee

Committee Leadership: Julie Johnson, Detroit Oxygen

Brian Griffore, Airway Oxygen, Inc.

• The HME Committee continues its advocacy efforts to offset numerous challenges to our provider community throughout the past year.  Monthly phone calls helped keep members abreast of current issues and the opportunity to share concerns. 

• Our Executive Director attended the Medtrade Conference where Michigan Home Care had an Exhibit Booth in collaboration with AA Homecare. 

• Michigan Home Care leaders participated in weekly teleconferences with AAHomecare, VGM and state home care agencies nationwide in the “State Leaders” Council.  The effort was to share information and develop strategies to fight competitive bidding and other unreasonable actions from CMS. 

• Met with US Senators and Members of Congress to fight against the Competitive Bidding program and advocate for HR 1717, the Market Pricing Alternative to Competitive Bidding.

• Successfully eliminated a new pharmacist in charge requirement for oxygen wholesalers and prescription related devices (PA 280 of 2014), replacing the pharmacist requirement with a facility manager alternative. Continued to work with the State to establish reasonable rules to define a facility manager.

• Supported a requirement that manufacturers or distributors of oxygen and oxygen related HME products be required to have a physical presence in the state as a condition of holding a wholesale manufacturer license.

• Supported a separate benefit and Medicaid rate increase for complex rehabilitation services. Steps were taken to establish a strong relationship with Michigan Medicaid to draft favorable state policies to support the separate benefit category. Michigan Medicaid has requested our help in drafting the new policy for a separate CRT benefit.

• Worked to remove a fingerprint requirement for stockholders and/or board members of DME/oxygen suppliers.

• Continued to advocate support for an “any willing provider” DME/POS policy in the Michigan Medicaid program.

• Hosted on-site meetings at HME member locations with members of Congress to advocate for unreasonable audits and Competitive Bidding. 

• Worked in concert with a number of state and local organizations to address common issues.  Partners in efforts to protect the rights and business of HME providers have included the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, the Michigan Orthotics & Prosthetics, and the Michigan Pharmacy Association, the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers, the American Association for Homecare, VGM, among others.

• Michigan Home Care HME representatives met quarterly with the Michigan Department of Community Health regarding the Michigan Medicaid program.

• Face-to-face meetings and well researched issue briefs resulted in better outcomes concerning Medicaid reimbursement to Complex Rehabilitation Technology HME providers. 

• Advocated for separate Medicaid/Medicare designation for Complex Rehab Technology. 

• In collaboration with the Education Committee, Michigan Home Care offered a variety of educational programs to HME/Infusion-Pharmacy members and speakers.

• Provided education workshops on Competitive Bidding in cooperation with several federal partners including VGM and others. 

• Michigan Home Care - HME leadership continued to respond and assist statewide providers with various supplier payments and audit issues throughout the year.

• Continued to grow and strengthen the HME Billers Forum which met quarterly at the Michigan Home Care Offices. 

• Represented HME/Infusion providers through the DMERC Medicare Region B Council.  Supported member representatives who carried input from Michigan Home Care members and returned to report on activities and information shared at the regional meeting. 

• Monitor and facilitate HME representation on the Public Policy Committee to assure education and advocacy for the issues important to the HME and solicit support for MPP and other issues from the broad umbrella of home care segments for support of the HME public policy agenda.  

• Coordinated both a Federal lobbying trip to Washington and a State Legislative day. Your voice was heard through our membership in attendance at both of these events.

• Supported public policy at the state and federal lever to establish a separate benefit category for advanced rehabilitation equipment and are collaborating with the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRT) of advocate for the change, and the National Coalition for Assistive Rehab Technology (NCART).     CRT Committee Chair, Kort St. John, Care Link.  

• Finally, please note we have monthly meetings, either face-to-face or by teleconference.  The meetings last approximately one hour in which we review the hot issues for HME and formulate plans and strategies to accomplish our goals for HME provider members.  Many thanks to all the people who contribute to the HME Committee for the greater good of all members.  The challenges of Competitive Bidding make our member collaboration and grassroots support essential to the success of the HME industry here in Michigan.

Hospice Committee:

Committee Leadership: Amy Banfield, Mercy Home Care and Hospice

• Continued to support members with understanding and implementation of  CoPs and regulatory changes including Part D, Diagnosis Reporting on Claims, CAHPS, Final Rule 2015, Hospice Item Set, NOE Changes.

• Recommended policies in response to the Federal Impact act and state legislation (HB 4447) which establish a minimum 3 year hospice survey. Advocated regulatory relief from the state survey and lower license fee for agencies holding dual status. Legislation has passed the House and passage is anticipated this spring.

• Advocated for $3.4 Million in the Medicaid Budget to be used for room and board reimbursement for Hospice Residencies.

• Change meeting format to provide opportunities for members to learn, understand and adjust to hospice changes.

• Increased utilization of guest speaker and presenters every other month for topics relevant to the hospice industry. Guest presenters and topics have included:

• Elizabeth Buckley, Clinical Compliance Officer, Trinity Home Health Services – DEA Medication Disposal Law

• Carolyn Stramecki, Program Director, Honoring Healthcare Choices MI – MI-POST Update

• Amy Gill, Jessup Group – Cost Report Changes and Hospice CAP

• Rick Brummette and Kristal Foster, Specialized Healthcare Services Section, Health Facilities Division, Bureau of Health Care Services - State of MI Hospice Surveys and the CASPER report

• Arbor Associates - CAHPS

• Encouraged new members to take part in the committee in various ways:  co-chairs, liaison participation, and Board of Director opportunities.

• Provided feedback and recommendations re: Hospice License Fee in state

• Provided networking opportunities for the committee members to learn, grow and support one another.

• Continued to represent Michigan Home Care hospice interests through a formal liaison to both NGS Hospice Advisory Group and CMS Region V meetings. Amy Banfield, Liaison.

• Continued to represent Michigan Home Care hospice interests through a formal liaison to MDCH. Hospice Liaison to MDCH - Stacey Knierim-Clark RN, BS, CHPN, Hospice Compliance Manager, Trinity Home Health Seri ices.

• Collaborated on hospice issues with the Education Committee including a special ICD 10 workshop specific to hospice.  

Ethics Committee:

Committee Leadership: Sue Clemon-Stone, U of M Mercy School of Nursing

Nancy Dillon

• Reviewed Michigan Home Care’s Code of Ethics, Guidelines for Establishing an Ethics Committee, and the Statement of Patient Rights and Responsibilities to determine consistency with National Professional Standards (e.g. JCAHO, CHAP, ACHC).

 

• Worked with Michigan Home Care’s program planning staff to develop educational sessions related to ethics for the Annual Conference.

 

• Provided consultation regarding business and clinical ethics situations.

 

• Shared ethics resources with general membership and committee members.

 

• Met regularly with the Executive Director to advise and discuss home care issues that have ethical implications. 

MILARA-Liaison: 

Liaison Leadership: Amy Parkinson, Sparrow Home Care

Stacey Knierim-Clark RN, BS, CHPN, Trinity Home Health

Kim Costello, Holland Hospital Home Health Services

 

• Continued to develop working relationship with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MI-LARA).  Information shared included OSCAR reports, complaint follow ups, survey activities and findings.

 

• Quarterly questions from members are submitted to MI-LARA and responses provided by the MI-LARA Survey Division.  Department Representatives share aggregated complaint data, suspected fraudulent billing and quality care issues.

• During 2014 we highlighted our member concerns regarding disparate data from our state compared to other state outcomes and requested a deeper understanding of the differences in the data between states, as well as an ability to get more detail as to what specific data is being collected and from what types of agencies in the state.

• We were able to get a letter that documents the fact that Michigan does not require licensure at this time of home health agencies from the state.

• We were able to get the written procedure of the process for survey deficiency reports including the fines, and how to appeal.

Membership Committee:

Committee Leadership: Don Gillespie, Allegiance Hospital System

• The Membership Committee met on a regular basis to discuss membership activity and trends impacting membership within the association.

• A new dues structure was implemented to accommodate a corporate structure option. Implemented a new and improved website allowing for greater flexibility and control in how we utilize the website

• New member discount programs with several vendors for Home Health Aide Certification, Accreditation Discounts, and new education partnerships.

• The committee has collaborated with the Executive Director and staff to develop strategies for growth and retention.

Public Policy Committee

Committee Leadership: Carolyn Flietstra, Holland Home

Lisa White, Munson Home Health Services

The Public Policy Committee meets monthly by conference call and works proactively with our lobbying firm (Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley and Associates), to track, review, and influence pending state and federal legislation, and recommend Board public policy action as appropriate to represent the interests of the home care industry.

State:

• Collaborated with outside organizations and developed new relationships to advance our issues. Too many to name.

• Maintain our long time contract relationship with the Lobby Firm of Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley, and Associates, one of the most successful lobby organizations in Lansing.

• Continued participation with legislators and interest groups on home care licensure to establish licensing of in-home care services.

• Opposed changes to eliminate the auto no-fault system and reduce personal injury protection to unreasonable levels.

• Advocated for “any willing provider” DME/POS policy in Michigan Medicaid program.

• Supported the Silver Key Coalition to increase the state budget for in-home meals and services by $9 million to help move Michigan to a “no wait” state for senior services.

• Tracked the Michigan Long Term Care Services and Supports Advisory Commission and its recommendations. In 2014, the LTCSS Committee was dissolved by Executive Order. Michigan Home Care will continue the work of the Committee and their final recommendations going forward.

• Children’s Special Health. Drafted a white paper and strengthened relationships with State Medicaid Staff to advocate for increased reimbursement from the Children’s Special Health reimbursement. Funding increase for this program remains a top priority.

• Successfully eliminated pharmacist in charge requirement for oxygen wholesalers and prescription related devices in PA 280, replacing the pharmacist requirement with a facility manager alternative. Continued to work with the State to establish reasonable rules to define a facility manager.

• Supported a requirement that manufacturers or distributors of oxygen and oxygen related HME products be required to have a physical presence in the state as a condition of holding a wholesale manufacturer license.

• Supported IMPACT Act’s requirement for Hospice surveys every 3 years. Also advocated for deemed status for accredited agencies, fees to fund state surveys, and reduced regulation and licensure fees for accredited agencies. HB 4447 will accomplish these goals and has already passed one House and is anticipated for passage in the Senate this spring.

• Advocated to restore Medicaid Room &Board funding for hospice patients in hospice residences. This was successfully added to a supplemental budget and remains our priority for funding in the current budget negotiations.

• Supported a separate benefit and Medicaid rate increase for complex rehabilitation services. Steps were taken to establish a strong relationship with Michigan Medicaid to draft favorable state policies to support the separate benefit category. Michigan Medicaid has requested our help in drafting the new policy for a separate CRT benefit.

• Worked to remove a fingerprint requirement for stockholders and/or board members of DME/oxygen suppliers.

• Continued to advocate support for an “any willing provider” DME/POS policy in the Michigan Medicaid program.

• Reviewed tracking report to identify issues impacting home care, follow their progress and establish strategy to influence the legislation and related rules.

• Organized and held Michigan Home Care’s Annual Legislative day at the Michigan Capitol in March. 30 Members participated and met with over 80 legislators and legislative staff members. Provided priorities and policy “talking points” and orientation to prepare Michigan Home Care member for this event.

• Shared additional strategies to help members be effective in lobbying their legislators (i.e. legislator home care visit, advice on specific lobbying efforts).

• Opposed and successfully prevented a proposal to eliminate occupational licenses for respiratory therapists, speech therapists and other professional licenses necessary to protect the public health.

Federal

• Collaborated on advocacy initiatives with several national organizations on Federal policy issues challenging the home care industry. Organizations including, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, The American Association for Home Care, VGM and the American Private Duty Association, Health Care Association of America, National Hospice and Palatine Care Association of America, National Council Advocating for Complex Rehab, and others.

• Participated in strategic planning, annual conference, and lobby days with the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC). Participate in Lobby days in Washington with NAHC, VGM, AAHomecare. Sent our Executive Director to Washington to lobby the Michigan Congressional Delegation on issue of serious concern to Home Care.

• Issued action alerts to inform and provide opportunity for Michigan Home Care members to influence the national debate on the home care benefit in the Medicare program.

• Continue to work with the National Association for Home Care and Hospice to improve rebasing, Face2Face, the Companionship exemption loss, and other unreasonable actions threating the home care industry.  Favorable wins in the federal courts occurred on the elimination of the F2F narrative and against the Department of Labor effort to eliminate the companionship exemption from the wage and hour laws.

• Closely monitored SGR legislation to ensure best outcome for constituent organizations. The SGR included passage of legislation to require HME Competitive Bidders to honor their bids, a big win for Michigan HME companies.

• On behalf of Michigan Home Care provider organizations, met with all offices of the Michigan delegation to the Congress to discuss home care policy issues.  Hosted Michigan Home Care representatives at the NAHC and AA Home Care legislative days to lobby and educate the Michigan Congressional Delegation.  Sent our Executive Director to Washington for meetings with the Michigan Congressional Delegation. 

• Advocated for legislation to allow Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to authorize homebound patient access to home-based services. 

• Advocated provider participation in any redesign of hospice, home health or home medical equipment models.

• Brought relevant State and Federal legislative position papers to the Michigan Home Care Board for review with 100% of recommendations receiving Board support.

• Opposed and successfully prevented a proposal to eliminate occupational licenses for respiratory therapists, speech therapists and other professional licenses necessary to protect the public health.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Committee Leadership: Larry Treece, Community Care Givers.

• Co-hosted fundraising events for US Senator Debbie Stabenow.

• Prioritized PAC Financial Contributions for the 2014 State Elections. Contributed to 12 candidates, spending approximately $8,000. Priorities for candidate investment included, leadership potential, support for home care, health care experience, and expressed interest to be on the Health related committees.

• Supported the Michigan Home Care, State Legislative Day.

• Helped Draft issue talking points and set policy priorities with the Public Policy Committee.

• Meeting with Former MDCH Director Haveman and New Director Lyons regarding Medicaid Pediatric Rates.

• Continue to collaborate closely with the Public Policy Committee on strategies support and elect candidates we feel will implement the policies and positions of the Michigan Association for Home Care at the Federal and State levels of government.

• Planned a Fundraising Reception at the Annual Conference to raise money into the PAC and began to plan to influence the 2016 elections. As of May 13, there is $5,600 in the PAC.

• Continue to educate Michigan Home Care members about the importance of contributing financially as an important component to a broader grassroots effort to advocate for the issues important to home care agencies and the patients they serve.

• Please make your contribution today. Only indidividuals may contribute to the PAC as state law prohibits corporate contributions. Make your check payable to Michigan Home Health Pac.

Anti-Fraud Task Force.

Liaison Leadership: Kristyn Gall, Optimal Home Care, Inc.

• Michigan Home Care is the only private sector provider organization recruited to membership in the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Task Force. We support the FBI and Department of Justice aggressive enforcement action against Medicare fraud and abuse including Medicare’s decision in February of 2014 to establish a moratorium on new home health certifications in the southeast region of our state. Kristyn Gall serves as Liaison to the US Dept. of Justice, Michigan Anti-Fraud Task Force. Adam Townshend, Assistant US Attorney will be a General Session speaker at the 2015, Annual Conference.

Bylaws

Committee Leadership: Tom Mann, U of M Home Care Services.

• There were no bylaws changes in the past year.  Bylaw changes approved in 2013 related to the restructuring of the Nominating Committee members was implemented this year with Michigan Home Care Past Presidents taking a more active role and existing elected Nominating Committee members completing their elected role.  The Bylaws Committee is responsible for managing the governance changes and will continue into the coming year to review changes in governance to operate the organization more efficiently.  The Immediate Past President Serves as Chair to the Nominating Committee and this year the Committee benefited from the leadership of Tom Mann.

How you can be involved.

Michigan Home Care is your organization. Contact any member of the Board of Directors or Staff on how you can become involved. Contact information is available at . Just ask!

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