8
Virginia Association for
HomeCare &Hospice
VAHC 2013 Accomplishments
ADVOCACY
• Continued to advocate for a fair Home and Community Based Services Medicaid
audit process
• Facilitated Capitol Hill and regional office visits with Virginia’s Congressional Delegation to
express concerns with Medicare co-pays, reimbursement cuts, employer mandates under
healthcare reform, and the continuation of the companionship exemption within the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act
• Developed a grassroots coalition to express concerns with the potential consequences of the
elimination of the companionship exemption
• Ongoing work with the Office of Licensure and Certification to improve survey processes
• Reviewed and recommended changes to various provider manuals within the Department of
Medical Assistance Services
• Represented home care and hospice on several emergency planning groups
• Participated in the POLST Respecting Choices Advance Care Planning
• Pushed DMAS to update and modernize the EDCD waiver regulations
• Managed the Political Action Committee for home care and hospice in Virginia
• Served on the legislatively mandated Dual Financial Integration group
• Advocated for a repeal of the Home Health Face-to-face requirements
COMMUNICATIONS WITH MEMBERS
• Monthly newsletters packed full of timely information and one of VAHC’s most popular publications
• 58 For Members Only bulletins on hot issues
• Legislative Alerts
• Weekly Legislative updates during the legislative session
• Coordinated and facilitated 14 face to face meetings to encourage networking opportunities
ENHANCED COMMUNITY IMPACT
• VAHC staff presented information to the community on the benefits of home care and hospice
• Effectuated the development of a Grassroots Advocacy Took Kit for use by
home care associations across the nation
• Increased opportunities for membership engagement through regional meetings
• Worked with the Office of Licensure and Certification and the Office of the Attorney General
to enforce licensure requirements
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Provided 72 educational workshops on issues of importance to home care and
hospice providers
• Trained 30 home care professionals on OASIS-C
• Trained 25 home care professionals on the ICD-10
• Held the only statewide Annual Conference and Trade Show for home care and hospice
