HOMECARE ACROSS ILLINOIS

BOARD MINUTES

JANUARY 16, 2004

Members present: Therese Macias, John Pickering, Mary Reed, Ruth Ann Flowers, Jeff Workman, Robin Huston, Teresa Smith, Maxine Barth, and Gail Ripka.

Jeff Workman called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. at the Maverick Steak House in Springfield.

Gail Ripka moved to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2003 meeting as written. Therese Macias seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Gail Ripka, Treasurer, reported the current balance is $6602.96. Gail Ripka stated that she had received the $1000.00 from IDPH. Mary Reed moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Maxine Barth seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Legislative: Jeff Workman stated that we needed a person to volunteer for this committee. Teresa Smith volunteered for this position. There was discussion on the new Medicare bill. There will be a 5% Rural Add on starting in April that will last for 1 year. Gail Ripka stated that the new license process should be easier. They have downsized some of the data required. This has been made possible with Enrique Unamaye assistance and the committee. Enrique Unamaye took Kathryn Stokes place.

Web Site: Jeff Workman stated that changes have been made.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Agreement: John Pickering stated they called him last week; there had been a problem with Logan County’s names. Contracts are being typed up and will be sent out for signatures.

New Business:

Annual meeting: Jeff Workman stated that Shahed had sent him the evaluations from the annual meeting. Also, Shahed had sent a thank you. Jeff Workman asked if want to discuss the next annual meeting. Jeff Workman stated that Fozzi said that on the OASIS the nurse should start on the bottom question and work up.

Bylaws: We will look at this next month.

Park Forest: They are a municipal health department. Homecare Across Illinois Bylaws will permit them to belong. Robyn Huston made a motion to allow Park Forest to join. Therese Macias seconded the motion. Motion carried. Park Forest with be permitted to join after paying a $100.00 fee.

Activities for 2004:

General discussion: We should think about oasis and coding ideas, questions on labor issues, a split track wound/oasis, and administrative/clinical track. An example would be a 3 hours each with breaks. Another idea was for administrative session on employment issues. Jeff Workman stated that maybe we could have human resource people from his office and Gail Ripka’s office present on the employment issues. Also, a suggestion was made to have the next workshop on June 25, 2004. John Pickering stated he would talk to the Hilton about a room. We would plan for about 60 people. Starting time would be at 8:00 AM for registration. Maybe, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM oasis, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM lunch, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM wound care. Discussion followed.

Meeting Schedule for 2004: April 2, 2004 Board Meeting

June 25, 2004 Workshop Springfield

July 9, 2004 Board Meeting

September 10, 2004 Board Meeting

November 18 & 19, 2004 Annual Meeting

It was suggested that we invite Kathryn Stokes who is now over Bioterrorism activities and emergency management to speak. Maybe, we could start later on 18^th, followed by a ½ day on the 19^th. John Pickering made a motion to plan the meeting as a board project. Teresa Smith made a second to the motion. Motion carried. John Pickering suggested getting sponsors to help defray expenses.

Healthlink: John Pickering will try to negotiate with Healthlink. A suggestion was made to try to also negotiate with other networks, such as GHP, Health Alliance, and United Health care. John Pickering suggested for us to e-mail to him any contact people. All present agreed.

Jeff Workman stated that he would put a draft of minutes on the web site.

Jeff Workman presented a Appreciation Certificate to Mary Reed for her service as secretary.

Therese Macias made a motion to adjourn at 11:40 AM. Mary Reed seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Ann Flowers, Secretary