The TAHC&H Board of Directors is asking the home care & hospice industry to come together to support a study that will provide independent data on home care costs as it relates to Medicaid therapy, access to care, and utilization. This study will be used against flawed reports that argue Medicaid home care services, specifically Medicaid therapy, are overfunded, overutilized, and reimbursed at rates higher than commercial and Medicare rates.
We must head into the 85th legislative session armed with data to defend our industry, but we don't have much time. Without this study, we will lack the actuarially sound data to counter the claims that home care services such as therapy can be cut without a second thought.
Medicaid therapy rate cuts during the last legislative session are just the tip of the iceberg – the truth is, when legislators realize these rate reductions can be executed with no repercussions or accountability, they will come after the rest of our vital home care services. As of December 15, 2016, the Texas Health & Human Services (HHS) fully implemented the Medicaid therapy rate reductions as mandated by the Texas legislature – for some services, the cuts were up to 30%.
Other home care services could be next. We cannot stand idly by and watch rate cut after rate cut happen.
That is why we are asking everyone to fund a study that demonstrates the true impact of rate reductions to services like home therapy. As an association of members committed to the delivery of home care and hospice services to all populations, please by reminded of our "Unified Power of Purpose".
We must raise $30,000 by January 15 to commission this study in full. Any amount between $250-$5,000 will help us reach our goal.
Please contribute to the study today online, or mail your check with "Rate Study" in the memo to the TAHC&H office at 3737 Executive Center Dr, Suite 268, Austin, TX 78731.