Connecticut lawmakers unanimously passed a bill this month to reverse a policy guidance banning the use of the word “care” by nonmedical home care agencies.
In January, the state’s department of consumer protection issued guidance reminding homemaker companion agencies that they “may not advertise services beyond the scope of the HCA credential, including medical services.”
On June 2, Connecticut’s Senate approved House Bill 5871, which will allow HCAs to use the word “care” in their business names and advertising as long as the agency advertises that they solely provide nonmedical care.
Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) Vice President of Government Relations Eric Greiner told attendees on webinar Thursday that “hard work in the state capital” from both HCAOA and National Association for Home Care & Hospice convinced the state’s legislature to repeal the guidance, which affected approximately 800 nonmedical home care agencies in the state.
“The law finally, thankfully, allows us to use the term care so long as [the word] ‘solely provides non medical care’ accompanies any mention of the use of the word ‘care,’” Greiner said. “[We are] thrilled to have achieved that fix, [it was] a long time coming.”
Connecticut HCAOA chapter leaders and members testified in support of the legislation, contacted the governor and met with lawmakers to advocate against the ban, according to HCAOA. The bill noted that HCAs must provide consumers written notice that the agency provides nonmedical care before providing services.
Although the bill’s passing represents positive news for home care providers, Connecticut is still one of 20 states that does not license home care agencies. In February, HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse that the state’s lack of licensing framework contributed to the ban in the first place and could impact providers in the future.
“These are the kinds of things that are bound to happen,” she said.
