Upcoming Educational Teleconferences Understanding Long Term Care Insurance, May 20, 2010 Wage and Hour Updates - Understanding Common Mistakes with John C. Gilliland, June 24, 2010 Watch for full details and your registration form to be posted on the new NPDA Member Forum

May 2010

nowonline

www.privatedutyhomecare.org 

For Members Only - "Levels of Care Exams"  As recently announced, NPDA members now have access to a new member benefit - the use of caregiver competency exams developed by NPDA's Standards and Ethics Committee.  The exams, testing 3 levels of care, are available at the NPDA website.  Look under the column entitled, "In The News".  

Document Retention Help:  As a guide, the NPDA has a sample document retention policy posted on the website which can be helpful as to draft or update your own policy.  You will find the policy under the "NPDA Member" section.  Your login will be required to view this and other member only resources.  

Visit your National Private Duty Association on "Facebook".  Search for National Private Duty Association (not NPDA).

______________________

Save $$$ With NPDA Program 

Did you know that as a member of NPDA, you can save on purchases you may already be making at places like Office Depot, Staples, Sprint, Verizon, GE, as well as many other businesses? It's a FREE member benefit.

Contact Denise Moore at Care Purchasing Services for more information: mooredenise@lcsnet.com

May 2010

Over the dates of March 10-12, 2010, members of the NPDA convened in Philadelphia for the 8th Annual Conference, "Spring Training for the Private Duty Home Care Industry".  This annual educational conference has become a showcase event for the home care industry and the conference in Philadelphia was no exception.

With the landmark passage of health insurance reform last month by the Congress and the President, "large" employers (equivalent of 50 + full time employees) will be required to provide health insurance for their employees or pay the penalty.  A full time employee is defined as someone working at least 30 hours per week.  These provisions do not take effect until 2014.  NPDA finds itself in the same boat as many other organizations as it weighs possible options to bring relief to employers from these requirements.

What about repealing the law?  Total repeal of the bill is certainly an option, and one which many NPDA members would support.  While Republicans are expected to gain a number of seats in the upcoming November election, it is not probable that they will gain the 2/3rds majority in both the House and the Senate required to override President Obama's promised veto of any repeal legislation.

Should efforts to repeal the law fail, working with the Congress to reform the law will be an option for organizations like the NPDA.  We did solicit and receive input from members of the NPDA as to what changes might bring relief.  NPDA is also in the process of forming coalitions with other organizations wanting to work with Congress on reform options. 

What might "relief" look like?  It is still very early in the game, so that is hard to say.  The following are just some of the possibilities:

- A new “small business” rule—that would qualify those eligible for tax credits and/or exemption and/or relief from assessments (perhaps smaller assessments?)—that is based on size of payroll/labor force relative to the business’ total receipts

-  Better rules for accounting for part-time employees

-  Rules that would allow employers to determine, with specificity, whether their workforce would make the employer responsibility rules applicable to them (e.g., under the law, an employer will not know if one of its employees qualifies for a federal subsidy. Affordability is calculated using household income, something the employer has no reliable way of knowing or finding out)

-  Make the rules applicable to individual coverage only, not dependent coverage, at least for certain “small” businesses (defined by size of payroll relative to receipts, or some other measure that helps labor-intensive firms like NPDA member firms)   

By Merrily Orsini, Corecubed, Louisville, KY

Enter The Modern Era of Web Design:  With its reputation as an ever-changing global marketplace and library, now more than ever, people are first turning to the Internet to research and purchase products or services or seek employment.  Keeping this in mind, using the Internet as a marketing tool for your business becomes vitally important. And, since more and more people are using email, mobile phones, and social networking, the Web is as important in today’s marketing as having a telephone number for your business.

1. If your Web site is more than 2 years old, redesign it to meet today’s Web standards (Note that the money you will save in maintenance costs to update will be more than offset by what it costs to design a new site).

CAREGIVERLIST: Caregiverlist.com uses new technology to deliver objective and comprehensive information that helps families select the right senior care.  Our Career Center provides information on certification and training credentials required by all 50 states to assist caregivers to apply for jobs in their area and to assist senior care companies to hire more effectively.  Seniors and caregivers are able to access senior service information and laws "by state", along with senior care costs, nursing home daily rates and Caregiverlist's Nursing Home Star Ratings.  Contact - Julie Northcutt: julie@caregiverlist.com   www.caregiverlist.com

CONTINULINK:  ContinuLink is a complete web-based software system for the private duty industry. This system was developed with clients, caregivers and owners in mind it’s a world-class solution– and it can be working for you in no time. Increase profitability, and cash flow while decreasing overtime & eliminating unauthorized services. Visit us at  www.continulink.com or call Brad Caldwell at 561-339-9950  bcaldwell@continulink.com for a free demo. 

LONG TERM CARE FINANCIAL PARTNERS - As Associate Members, LTCFP will be offering NPDA members comprehensive educational programs to determine if LTC is appropriate for you.  Additionally, you and your family families will have the opportunity to receive discounted long term care insurance from top rated national carriers.  Contact - Mario Sestito,  mario@ltcfp.net