News for the Assisted Living Industry in Wisconsin

Register by February 17, 2012 for the best rate at the WALA Spring Conference! For New Educational Opportunities are available from WALA check the WALA Educational Events Page. Register Today at the WALA Store!

Concealed Carry FAQ's from WALA

WALA has prepared this Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) document to provide information to assisted living facilities in the state of Wisconsin on how the concealed carry law might affect them as providers. There are still many unanswered questions on the impact of this law. Check back with us as WALA learns more.

Governor Walker Lifts Family Care Caps

Earlier this year, the Governor and Legislature included in the state budget a provision to freeze the expansion of Family Care to new counties and capped enrollment in existing Family Care Counties until the Department of Health Services (DHS) determined that the expansion is "cost-effective."
Governor Walker, with DHS Secretary Smith and Deputy Secretary Rhoades and joined by a number of consumer advocacy groups, announced on December 28, 2011 the lifting of those caps on Family Care over the next few months. Governor Walker stated that this decision has come about due to DHS implementing many of the recommendations from a Legislative Audit Bureau report on Family Care released earlier this year and recommendations obtained from the Family Care Town Hall Meetings held earlier this year.
"The Governor's plan to lift the Family Care enrollment cap calls for legislative action and DHS implementation by this spring." The lifting of the caps and the estimated cost of $80 million will require approval by the Wisconsin Legislature. Originally the budget had assumed a savings of approximately $284.5 million (all funds) over the two-year biennium. Governor Walker stated many times during the press conference that for the caps to be lifted the program had to be sustainable. With the changes being made to the program - the Governor and DHS believes they have now met that stipulation.
Governor Walker stated in answer to a question that there are 14 counties today that Family Care does not serve. This announcement means that after legislative approval of the lifting of the caps and approval of the additional spending associated with lifting the caps - the remaining 14 counties can again begin moving toward implementing Family Care.

Read the Press Release Here. from WALA eBlast on 1/3/2012

More information from WALA blasts are available at WALA's News eBlast page and By Topic

Guide to Collaborating with other Assisted Living Providers

There are some providers who feel unhappy with the way that they are negotiating and being treated by their MCOs. There has been some talk of “banding together.” WALA always encourages collaboration, but the law prohibits collusion among competitors that might interfere with the normal law of supply and demand. To that end, WALA contracted with Reinhart Bourner Van Deuren to provide background on this issue. Clearly, you as a provider will do as you feel you must, and this information may help guide you in your own decision making. Please see the Anti-trust Memorandum from Reinhart Bourner Van Deuren for more information. (Document is password protected and for members only. Please contact the WALA office for password).

Serious Enforcement Cases from BAL for 2010