Dear Board Members,

I just returned from two valuable conferences and am bringing many ideas back for MHCA’s consideration!

We have heard that Florida has one of the best state conferences and were privileged to receive an invite to attend this year (with comp registration). Florida has 1,025 Medicare Certified Home Health Agencies, compared to Minnesota’s 183 and they have approximately 700 attendees. That number of attendees attracts a significant number of exhibitors so I was able to make connections with several new vendors and individuals, from software vendors to several online education vendors (one of our priorities this year). That in and of itself made the travel costs well worth it!

I had hoped to gather some wonderful conference ideas and instead returned with a gratefulness for our excellent conference! Again, their registration revenue allows for many national speakers but we offer more networking opportunities. Bill Dombi was surprised to see me and offered the following complement in a follow-up email to me: “HCAF puts on a great conference and so do you. Proportionately, it seems you have a greater conference attendance. No offense intended to HCAF as their conference attendance is very good…Instead, you should understand that your conference is a very successful one.” I did bring speaker resources, a stack of business cards and a few other ideas for Melissa but overall I now have an even greater appreciation for what we do!!

I also attended the Council of State Home Care Associations Leadership Conference which is always incredibly valuable. In addition to learning from other states and my colleagues, we have an opportunity to network with a variety of vendors who graciously sponsor our event. Below are a few highlights and updates from the past few weeks (now categorized according to our strategic plan):

Be the Influential Voice of Home Care

• The Advocacy Committee and Payment Reform Workgroup kicked off the year the week following the board meeting.
• There was a great deal of discussion around PDGM – from the importance of advocacy to educating our members. The group is of the belief that fear-tactics are needed at this point, as many providers aren’t fully understanding the full impact PDGM may have on their agency as of Jan 1^st. You will see a ramped up advocacy effort through the end of the year (including an advocacy email that went out today – and received 15 Advocacy Center actions within a short time!).
• Congress is on their August break. As an MHCA board member, I am asking that you reach out to the Senators and especially your Representative and 1) help educate them on how your services impact their constituents 2) ask for support on the PDGM bill and 3) invite them on a home visit. We need more Representatives signed on as co-sponsors to leverage Pelosi’s decision on bringing the bill forward as a priority, in the midst of impeachment and gun control conversations taking priority in Washington, D.C.  Be sure to share your advocacy efforts with us!
• The council is considering investing in an Economic Impact Study would look at the various impacts of home health and the economy nationwide. We will have the option for a more in-depth state specific report, for an additional cost. I will keep you posted as additional vetting is completed. This would be a powerful tool for our advocacy efforts!
• We gained some valuable tips from states that have already implemented EVV; I will be sharing those with the Advocacy Committee, Kevin and DHS.
• Karen and I met with the new Interim Director of the MDH Home Care and Assisted Living Program, who handled all home care licensing and complaints.
• The Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging was originally created within the U of M School of Public Health to establish long-term care as an academic discipline. Dr. Joe Gaugler replaced Bob Kane just over a year ago and the mission is now To advance scientific excellence in long-term care and aging that shapes the practice, policy, and pedagogy of these critical areas of focus. Dr. Gaugler has formed an Advisory Council and asked me to serve. I am delighted that home care was recognized within this program and hope to influence the breadth of their scope. The priority areas are:
• Increase Scientific Capacity in Aging and Long-Term Care at the University of Minnesota
• Host the Annual Robert L. Kane Memorial Lecture
• Student Support Outreach and Engagement
• Partnership with Underserved Communities
• Launch the Aging Work Group

Enhance Member Value

• There was great discussion on how the Council Membership leads to greater state association member benefits. We will be looking at how to share that value with our members and be more transparent about resources, such as the BKD Benchmark Reports – which we receive as a Council member!
• While PDGM advocacy is important, it is critical that we help our members understand the importance of educating their staff on PDGM. We asked the OASIS Blueprint attendees this week and they confirmed that additional education for all staff is needed! I have many ideas that we will review (including free vendor options), as we develop an enhanced PDGM education strategy plan.
• The Member Relations and Education Committee

Enhance Organizational Sustainability

• I was able to make connections with several new vendors or individual representatives and began to build and strengthen relationships that will hopefully lead to more partnerships with MHCA. I am revisiting my priorities and intend to become even more engaged in Sponsor/Exhibitor recruitment since I have the relationships. I plan to ask you to invest more time in this endeavor also – more to come on that.

• We learned about a group purchasing program that is offering a marketing fee to state associations. The MRE will be reviewing that as an option as they consider non-due revenue options.

I hope to provide another update prior to the September Board meeting. In the meantime, we are on countdown for my first grandson who will be here within a couple of weeks!

Kathy Messerli

Executive Director | Minnesota HomeCare Association

2550 University Ave. W.,  Ste. 350 S | St. Paul, MN 55114-1900

Direct: 651.635.0038 | Main: 651.635.0607

Toll-free: 866.607.0607 | Fax: 651.635.0043

www.mnhomecare.org | kmesserli@mnhomecare.org

Mission: MHCA represents and supports Minnesota home care providers committed to high quality home care services.

Vision: MHCA will shape the home care landscape to improve and sustain quality home care services.