Washington State to Pay Over $50,000 to AFHs in Settlement Agreement
Washington State to Pay Over $50,000 to AFHs in Settlement Agreement
In May of 2023, the Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) filed another Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against the state of Washington. The complaint regarded the state’s failure to inform the AFHC of payments paid directly to adult family homes through managed Care Organizations (MCOs) via contracts referred to as “Single Case Agreement.”
The Adult Family Home Council is the exclusive bargaining representative of adult family homes in Washington state. As such, we negotiate with the State on behalf of AFHs regarding various matters, including the rates paid to adult family homes. Despite this, the State neglected to disclose these payments outside of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) or provide an opportunity for bargaining. This lack of communication and negotiation violates your rights under RCW 41.56.140(4).
Consequently, the rates paid by the MCOs were being negotiated on a case-by-case basis between the State, MCOs and AFHs. This resulted in disparities, with some homes receiving payments while others providing identical services did not, and some homes receiving significantly higher rates than others.
The intent of this ULP was to not only to bring the state at the negating table, but to also provide a more equitable process for payments to AFHs and the services required by the MCOs.
We are thrilled to inform you all that as of March 2024, we signed a settlement agreement with the state. The result of that settlement agreement includes a one-time electronic payment of $1,500 per single contract agreement signed and executed by an AFH provider. A list of homes that will be eligible for these payments was provided to us in the settlement agreement.
If you signed a contract with an MCO and you were/are receiving payments directly through the MCO (even if the resident is no longer in your home), please reach out to Amina Abdalla at amina@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org. Payments will be made no later than May 31, 2024.
Not a Member Yet?
Membership fees enable the Council to cover legal expenses and fund staff to advocate with the state and regulatory agencies. The participation of every adult family home is vital to ensuring fair regulations and rates that accurately reflect the costs of caring for our vulnerable adults. Consider becoming a member of the Council to help us continue improving conditions for all adult family homes in Washington State.