New state funding a tribute to Ohio’s home care workers
Ohio’s most vulnerable residents, who rely on crucial medical care in their homes, have achieved a long-awaited victory with a groundbreaking $836 million increase in Medicaid reimbursements for home care programs. This boost addresses the preservation of home care services and enables more competitive wages for professional caregivers.
This is an especially timely victory, as we are celebrating National Home Care, Hospice, and Palliative Care Month.
The home- and community-based care sector for older Ohioans and others with disabilities on Medicaid was at a critical crossroads at the start of 2023. Home care agencies were suffering woefully inadequate reimbursement rates for the services they provide to Medicaid beneficiaries. These reimbursement rates had remained virtually unchanged since 2000, despite a more-than 75% increase in associated costs. In many cases, home health aides were earning more in fast-food restaurants than in the care sector.
The repercussions were felt across the board. Home care workers were in short supply, and thousands of Ohioans were languishing on waiting lists, either receiving insufficient care or resorting to more expensive and less suitable options like emergency rooms or skilled nursing facilities.
While the specifics of these rate increases are still under review by the Ohio Department of Medicaid and Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration, the expected increases are set to take effect in January 2024. The Ohio Council
for Home Care & Hospice, along with dedicated advocates and partners, tirelessly championed this increase, and we express their gratitude: Thank you to the Ohio Department of Medicaid, the DeWine administration and several members of the Ohio General Assembly for their invaluable support.
The timing of this development is significant, considering the growing number of aging patients in Ohio. The population of Ohioans 60 and older is projected to increase more than four times faster than the state’s overall population.
While the reimbursement rates have been adjusted, there is a collective hope for a more sustainable system, one that doesn’t necessitate advocacy every two years. “Rebasing,” a process that doesn’t exist in home care as it does for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, is suggested as a more equitable way to ensure annual adjustments based on market factors.
In rebasing, home care reimbursement rates would be recalculated to reflect the state of health care costs and economic conditions, ensuring they keep pace with the changing landscape.
Lastly, a heartfelt tribute is extended to the home care workers who have chosen a path that is not always met with the recognition it deserves. It’s a calling that demands profound patience, empathy, skill and prioritizing the well-being of fellow Ohioans over financial gain.
We must ensure these essential workers are adequately compensated for the invaluable services they provide. Their compassion is both remarkable and vital as our population continues to age.