PURPOSES:

1. To promote care at home as a vital component of the health care delivery system.
2. To provide a strong unified voice to speak in all matters of concern to providers of care at home in areas of reimbursement, regulation and  legislation.
3. To provide a mechanism to strengthen administrative and clinical capabilities of  providers of  care at home.
4. To encourage the use of standards that will enhance the quality of care at home.
5. To provide a mechanism for communication, planning and education relevant to providers of care at home.
6. To foster research and development opportunities for the advancement of knowledge to improve the delivery of care in  the home.
7. To promote a strong positive public image for the home care industry.

SERVICES:

• Subscription to KHCA Listserve -  Newsbriefs and alerts keeping members informed of state and federal legislative and regulatory affairs.
• Legal Issues newsletters prepared by an attorney with practice focused on home care issues.
• Minutes of quarterly meetings with Medicare Fiscal Intermediary, Palmetto Government Benefits Administrator, which provide Medicare clarifications & interpretations.
• Listing in the Directory of Home Health Agencies and Hospices in Kentucky, a biannually-produced directory, as well as a listing on the KHCA website (www.khca.net).
• Access to members-only sections of KHCA website.
• Preparation and/or distribution source for guidelines, protocols and various manuals developed for home health providers.
• All employees eligible for member fees at all workshops and conferences.
• All employees eligible to serve on KHCA Committees and to serve as At-Large and Regional Directors on KHCA Board.

EDUCATION:

• Numerous one-day continuing education seminars for clinical and administrative staff,  many approved by the KY Board of Nursing for nursing CEU's.
• Spring and Fall Conferences offering  educational and networking opportunities for all levels of home care staff.
• Continuing Education for home health aides which meets all Medicare requirements for aide in-service education in multiple regional locations across the state.
• Annual two day Administrator's Retreat  for top-level home health administrators.
• Annual Leadership Conference for middle management  personnel.

REPRESENTATION:

• Coordinates home health provider representation with Medicare and Medicaid payors including quarterly meetings.
• Monitors and testifies on state and national legislation and regulations.
• Maintains a Kentucky-registered Legislative Agent and files required reports on activity.
• Coordinates membership information  by "fax broadcast" and "list-serve" to enable rapid information sharing as needed.
• Represents home care on various state and regional boards on aging, health and  home care issues.