State Budget Deadlock Continues – Medi-Cal Cuts Looming - 07/02/08
Legislators failed to meet their June 15 constitutional deadline for passing a budget. The ten percent Medi-Cal provider payment reduction went into effect on July 1 and June checkwrites were delayed until July 2nd. Compounding matters even further, is the report from the Department of Health Care Services that there may be no additional checkwrites in July after the release of the June checkwrites because there is a limited amount of contingency funding available during the time we are without a state budget.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has directed the fiscal intermediary (EDS) to continue to pay to Medi-Cal practitioners per federal mandate and continue to pay Medi-Cal institutional providers through the Medical Providers Interim Payment (MPIP) fund until the loan is exhausted, which is anticipated to be by July 17, 2008. After that date, Medi-Cal institutional PROVIDERS WILL NOT RECEIVE PAYMENT UNTIL A BUDGET IS ENACTED.

Once the budget is passed and EDS receives approval from the state to resume reimbursement, providers have been told to expect a one-month delay on the checkwrites which were held. Due to the disastrous cash flow impacts to Medi-Cal home care providers, CAHSAH is urging its members to do the following. 1) Contact or request to meet with your Assembly member and Senator to explain the crisis. To locate your legislator go to www.leginfo.ca.gov, click on the “Your Legislature” tab, and type in your agency zip code. 2)Contact the members of the Budget Conference Committee to urge them to reach an agreement on the Budget or approve emergency funding to continue Medi-Cal payments. 3) Contact Governor Schwarzenegger’s office.

Click Here for information on how to contact members of the Budget Conference Committee. Click Here for a sample letter.

State Files Return in Medi-Cal Rates Case - 06/23/08
On June 9, 2008, the state filed its mandatory, annual review of the Medi-Cal reimbursement rates paid to the providers of home health care services for the years 2001 through 2005. It states that the rate review has been completed. However, it also states that final executive staff approval for public release of the review has not been obtained.

On June 18, 2008, the state filed a supplemental return which contained their rate study entitled "Medi-Cal Home Health Rate Review with Consideration of Efficiency, Economy, Quality of Care, and Access." The Sixteen page study states that, "Based upon the review of the data collected the Department has concluded that Medi-Cal Home Health Agency rates paid for the years 2001 through 2005 were sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services were available at least to the extent that such care and services were available to the general public in the geographical area."

In addition to the rate review, the supplemental return contains a notice of a public hearing to receive comments on the rate review scheduled for August, 11, 2008 in Sacramento. CAHSAH has filed preliminary objections to the state’s return. We will be reviewing the state's study and preparing our arguments for the court and the public hearing. Look to future WNUs for updates or contact Mary Adorno at 916-641-5795 x 124 or madorno@cahsah.org.

CAHSAH Opposed Sick Leave Bill Moves to Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee - 06/23/08
Despite efforts to stop the bill in the Assembly, AB 2716 (Ma) continues to move forward and is scheduled to be heard June 25th in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.  The bill would require all California employers to provide paid sick leave to every worker. Although we understand the intent of the bill, we believe it will further compromise our ability to pay and retain staff and to provide crucial services to our clients. Please call or fax letters of opposition to the Senators of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee to urge their “NO” vote when the bill is taken up this week. For information on how to contact please call Mary Adorno at 916-641-5795 x 124 or email madorno@cahsah.org. Click here for a copy of the coalition’s opposition letter which highlights specifics of the bill.

Technology & Telehealth - 06/04/08
Click here to view the recent webinar detailing the final results of the Philips National Study on the Future of Technology and Telehealth -- hosted by Philips Home Healthcare Solutions and Fazzi Associates.

New Members - Get Acquainted with CAHSAH - 05/28/08
Click here to view the New Member Webinar and ‘Get Acquainted’ with CAHSAH. Joe Hafkenschiel, President of CAHSAH has been leading the home care association for over 20 years and shares his wealth of industry knowledge as well as all the available member benefits and how best to access them. If you have questions, contact Michele Lander at mlander@cahsah.org or (916) 641-5795, ext. 129.

Membership Ambassador Club - 01/24/08
CAHSAH is looking for "a few good men" (and women), aka Ambassador Club Members, who are enthusiastic and willing to promote CAHSAH. Mission: To promote CAHSAH's vision and mission. To represent CAHSAH and its membership benefits. To create a valuable membership experience for our new and existing members. Click here