AmeriHealth Caritas Expands Investments into Innovative Community-Based Programs with Funding to Improve Training, Support for Caregivers

Second in a series of investments will develop and deploy a standard training program for direct care workers employed in a home or community-based setting

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, continues to demonstrate its commitment to long-term services and supports by funding an innovative program to help improve training and support for Pennsylvania caregivers. This is the second of three investments that aim to support vulnerable Pennsylvanians. Through AmeriHealth Caritas’ Community HealthChoices (CHC) health plans, the plans of choice for eligible Pennsylvanians, more than $355,000 is being granted to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA).

PHA has described Pennsylvania’s workforce shortage as a “crisis,” citing a need for 65,370 additional home-based care providers by 2035. This represents a nearly 43% increase from current levels, with Pennsylvania having the fifth highest demand in the nation. Through this grant, enhancements and additions to web-based training materials will be deployed to caregivers employed in a home or community-based setting.

“Caregivers are too often the unsung heroes in long-term and chronic-care situations. We must recognize their stress levels and provide assistance to help retain highly qualified home health care professionals and attract others to the profession,” said Stephan Roker, Senior Vice President, Community HealthChoices for AmeriHealth Caritas. “This grant aims to help provide Pennsylvania caregivers with the tools and resources that will make their role more manageable and rewarding.”

“For more than a decade, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association has offered free, on-demand training courses designed specifically for direct care workers and family caregivers through our platform My Learning Center,” said CJ Rambler, President of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association’s Board of Directors. “This resource is accessed by hundreds of thousands of caregivers each year. Through this grant from AmeriHealth Caritas, we are able to expand this resource to help ensure that Pennsylvania caregivers can access the resources they need to deliver high-quality care to Pennsylvanians who need support at home.”

AmeriHealth Caritas has also funded a program with the SeniorLAW Center to provide access to housing-related legal assistance to at-risk older adults. A future investment focused on closing the digital divide for seniors will be announced in the coming months.

About AmeriHealth Caritas

AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 13 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves approximately 5 million Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Health Insurance Marketplace® members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, and behavioral health services. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 40 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.

About Pennsylvania Homecare Association

The Pennsylvania Homecare Association is a statewide membership organization of more than 700 homecare, home health and hospice providers. PHA members provide quality care and serve as advocates for their patients and clients on a variety of healthcare related issues. PHA and its members work to improve professional standards and ensure access to quality homecare throughout the Commonwealth. To learn more, visit www.pahomecare.org.

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Joshua Brett
Tel: 1-215-863-5458

jbrett@amerihealthcaritas.com

Source: AmeriHealth Caritas