Don’t Miss These AFH Reimbursement Opportunities

Did you know…?

The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows AFH providers to submit claims for reimbursement when escorting residents to medical appointments. Providers may also claim mileage reimbursement when driving residents to medical appointments or to participate in community integration activities. Reimbursement rates are based on the standard mileage rate published by the IRS.

Billing Codes:

• S0215, U3: AFH mileage community integration:

  Reimbursed per-mile-driven, up to a maximum of 100 miles per month per resident

• S0215, U4: AFH mileage medical appointment:

  Reimbursed per-mile-driven, up to a maximum of 50 miles per month per resident

• S5125, U1: AFH Medical escort fee

Having Trouble?

You can request assistance with ProviderOne claims by calling 800-562-3022 or by submitting an Online Billing Assistance Request Form at the link below.

Spring Conference Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities!

Exciting news for our business partners—sponsorships and vendor opportunities for the 2026 Spring Conference are officially open! This year, we’re coming to Auburn, Vancouver, and Spokane with the theme “Nourishing Compliance,” designed to meet the growing needs of the AFH community.

Our conferences are full-day events packed with networking, engaging presentations, and vendor opportunities, plus lunch to keep everyone energized. Sponsorships are a fantastic way to gain visibility with AFH providers from across the state—but these opportunities sell out quickly, so don’t wait to secure your spot!

All options, including vendor tables and sponsorship levels, are available under the “Business Partners” tab on the AFHC website.

Mark your calendars for member registration! While business partner registration is open now, we plan to open registration for AFHC members during the first week of April—so members, get ready to sign up for these popular events!

Conference Dates & Locations:

Auburn: Wednesday, April 29 | Green River College

Vancouver: Wednesday, May 6 | Clark College

Spokane: Wednesday, May 13 | Center Place Event Center

Your support makes these events possible and helps us provide essential education and resources to providers. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this year’s conference and help our members “Nourish Compliance”!

Important Update: Proposed Changes to Incontinence Supply Access for Medicaid Clients

The Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) is closely monitoring a significant proposal from the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) that could change how incontinence and urinary supplies are provided to Apple Health (Medicaid) clients.

HCA has issued a procurement that may result in a single statewide vendor providing mail-order incontinence supplies. This would represent a major shift from the current system, where Adult Family Homes and residents work with a range of local medical supply providers.

Why this matters for Adult Family Homes

Incontinence supplies are a core component of daily care in AFHs—impacting:

• resident dignity and comfort

• infection prevention and skin integrity

• staff workload and care planning

• the ability to respond quickly to changing resident needs

A centralized, single-vendor model raises concerns about:

• delays in delivery or replacements

• limited product choice

• reduced flexibility for care adjustments

• loss of local supplier relationships

AFHC Action

AFHC has formally expressed serious concerns regarding this proposal on behalf of our long-term Affiliate Business Partners who are directly impacted as well as Washington’s more than 5,000 licensed Adult Family Homes.

We have written a letter to Governor Ferguson and HCA Director Moran outlining the potential impacts on providers and residents and requesting a meeting with HCA leadership before any changes are finalized or implemented.

What’s Next

This proposal is still in the procurement phase, and no final decisions have been made. AFHC will continue to:

• advocate for provider input

• push for solutions that protect resident care and provider flexibility

• keep members informed as this issue develops

We encourage members to share any concerns or experiences that may help inform our advocacy efforts.

Call for Applicants: Interested Parties Advisory Group (IPAG)

Federal rules require states to establish an interested parties advisory group (IPAG) to advise and consult on provider FFS (fee for service) rates where payments are made to direct care workers providing self-directed and agency-directed for personal care, home health aide, and homemaker services as described in Federal rules, and states may choose to include other HCBS.

The group must consult on rates for the service categories under the Medicaid state plan, section 1915(c) waiver and demonstration programs, as applicable, where payments are made to individual providers or providers employed by an agency for, at a minimum, the previously described types of services provided under sections 1905(a), 1915(i), 1915(j), and 1915(k) state plan authorities, section 1915(c) waivers, and section 1115 demonstrations.

The IPAG advisory group must advise and consult with the State’s Medicaid agency on current and proposed payment rates, and the following as defined by federal rule: HCBS payment adequacy data; access to care metrics associated with services to ensure the relevant Medicaid payment rates are sufficient to ensure access to homemaker services, home health aide services, personal care, and habilitation services for Medicaid beneficiaries at least as great as available to the general population in the geographic area and to ensure an adequate number of qualified direct care workers to provide self-directed personal assistance services.

The interested parties advisory group is required to include, at a minimum, direct care workers, beneficiaries and their authorized representatives, and other interested parties. Representation from each type of individual specified on this list is required.

The Council is seeking applicants from our engaged and professional membership to serve on this important committee. To serve, applicants must meet the following qualifications: they must have received Medicaid payments as a Provider at an AFH in the past three years, used services on a FFS level, and have a good understanding of the Medicaid payment rates received at their AFH.

The schedule is not yet set by the State for meetings, however meetings are expected to about 4 hours bi-monthly.  If you are interested in serving on the IPAG please email bob@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org with an email expressing your interest and some description as to why you believe you are best qualified to serve. Thank you all for considering this opportunity for AFH industry service.

Grow Your Knowledge with Second Quarter 2026 HCS Trainings

Home and Community Services (HCS) is offering a wide range of training opportunities this spring, covering key topics that support providers in delivering high-quality care. These sessions focus on mental health, behavioral interventions, substance use, professional well-being, and practical tools you can apply in your daily work.

Trainings include topics such as advanced mental health diagnoses and interventions, substance use and co-occurring disorders, managing professional burnout, building effective support systems, and addressing complex conditions like diabetes in mental health care settings. Each session is designed to provide practical, real-world strategies while offering continuing education credits for full participation.

The Q2 training flyer is linked below, along with the AFHC Events page, where you can find all the trainings including registration links.

Second Chance: AFHC Learning Lab Webinar on AFH Inspections

Yesterday’s Learning Lab webinar Licensing Inspections For AFH Providers saw an outstanding turnout, with 265 members in attendance.

Led by AFHC’s Regulatory Support Director, Maleia Press, and Member Support Specialist Kris Boler, the session provided a comprehensive, step-by-step overview of what providers can expect during a licensing inspection. The training covered each phase of the process, including pre-inspection review, onsite procedures, documentation requirements, and exit conferences, along with practical tips to help providers feel more prepared and confident.

If you were unable to attend, or you’d like to review yesterday’s material, you can access the full webinar recording, slides, and resource handout below.

This webinar is part of a three-part Learning Lab series from our Member Support team. The next session, Complaint Investigations in AFHs, will build on this foundation and provide additional insight into regulatory processes and provider expectations.  Register at the link below.

Unlock More Residents with Your Home Finder Listing

One of the most valuable tools included with your membership is the AFH Council Home Finder and it’s one of the best ways to connect with prospective residents and families actively searching for care. The Home Finder is widely used by discharge planners, case managers, and families, making it a powerful marketing tool for your business.

Many providers choose to work with placement agents or companies as part of their marketing strategy, which can be helpful in certain situations. At the same time, those referrals often come with higher fees per placement. Your AFHC membership, at just $55 per month, includes access to the Home Finder, giving you consistent visibility and the opportunity to connect directly with prospective residents without additional referral costs.

Getting Started / Updating Your Listing

• Log in to the AFHC website (top right hand corner)

• Click “My Account” in the top right corner

• From your profile, enter and update information about your home

Make Your Listing Stand Out

• Be descriptive and specific—tell the story of your home and what makes it unique

• Highlight any specialty care or unique services you offer

• Think of your listing as your brand—what do you want families to feel when they read it?

Important Details to Include

• Set tour times that are convenient for prospective clients and families

• Clearly list the types of payment you accept (Medicaid, private pay, etc.)

Photos Matter

Listings with photos get significantly more attention. Be sure to include:

• Clean, welcoming exterior photos of your home

• Common areas like the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms

• Photos of residents participating in activities (with permission)

• A friendly photo of yourself or your staff to help families feel more connected

Not Showing Up in the Home Finder?

If your home isn’t appearing in the search results, double check your availability settings. You must indicate that you have open beds for your listing to show.

The Home Finder is one of the most effective ways to find new residents and keeping your profile updated, detailed, and welcoming can make all the difference.

We Want to Hear From You

We are always working to improve the Home Finder and make it as useful as possible for you. We invite you to take a few minutes to complete a short survey and share your feedback. Your input helps guide future updates, features, and improvements so we can better support you in connecting with residents.

If you have any questions or need help updating your listing, we’re here to support you! Reach out to our Marketing Manager, Alexandria Brown at alexandria@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org.

ProviderOne March Newsletter

The March ProviderOne Newsletter includes helpful updates for AFH providers. This month’s edition highlights reminders for submitting and managing claims in ProviderOne, along with guidance to help address common issues and avoid delays. It also includes information on available support resources, including how to get help with billing questions.

We encourage providers to review these updates to stay current and support smooth, timely reimbursement. The March ProviderOne Newsletter is linked below.

New Educational Resource: Annual N95 Worker Training

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAIAR) program has released a new educational resource: the Annual N95 Worker Training.

This free, self-paced online training is designed for staff who are required to wear N95 respirators. It covers the requirements outlined in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-842-16005 and provides practical guidance on proper N95 use. Upon successful completion of the final knowledge check, participants receive a Course Completion Record.

You can access the training through the link below.

AFH Employer’s Guide to Worker Rights
March 23  |  1:30PM-3:00PM

Join Brenda Fay, Outreach Representative with Washington State Labor & Industries, and Stephen Yim, Community Outreach & Resource Planning Specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, for a practical, information-packed webinar designed to help Adult Family Home providers stay compliant and protect their business. This session will cover all the essentials employers need to understand, including Minimum Wage Act protections, tracking hours of work and required recordkeeping, overtime pay requirements, paid sick leave rules, employee protections from retaliation and discrimination, Minimum Wage Act exemptions, meal and rest break requirements, how the workplace rights complaint process works, and the key differences between federal and state requirements—including which ones apply to you. If you want clarity, confidence, and a clear roadmap for meeting both state and federal labor standards, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

1.5 CEU available to all AFH Council members who attend.

Adult Family Home Claims & Billing Webinar
March 23  |  2:30PM-3:30PM

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) has launched a new Adult Family Home Clearinghouse designed to simplify how AFHs work with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. This training will guide providers through how the system works and how to submit claims for CBHS and IBSS services. Participants will learn how to register for and use the online clearinghouse system, review and submit claims correctly, and ensure claims are complete before sending them to the health plan or HCA for payment. The session will also cover provider enrollment, Medicaid billing guidelines under the CBHS program, and common troubleshooting questions to help providers navigate the new process with confidence.

No CEUs will be offered.

AFH Provider Quarterly Connection With HCS & DDCS
March 24  |  1:00PM-2:30PM

Join us for the next AFH Connection Meeting, hosted in partnership by the Adult Family Home Council, Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS), and Home and Community Services (HCS) within the Home and Community Living Administration. This collaborative session brings Adult Family Home providers and agency partners together to discuss important topics, share updates, and provide meaningful education. It offers a valuable opportunity to engage directly with agency leaders, ask questions, and strengthen communication as we continue working together to deliver high-quality long-term care services to some of our most vulnerable clients and residents.

1.5 CEU available to all who attend.

Trauma of Migration: Cultural Humility, Support, and Trauma-Informed Care, Part 1
March 24  |  3:00PM- 4:00PM

This two-part series explores the impact of forced migration through a trauma-informed lens, with a focus on refugees, asylees, and survivors of displacement. Participants will gain insight into cultural humility, mental health challenges, and post-migration stressors while learning how to provide person-centered, trauma-informed care. The course also addresses common barriers to care, culturally responsive communication, and the importance of community and resilience in recovery.

1.0 CEU available to all who attend.

Adult Family Home Claims & Billing Webinar
March 25  |  10:00AM-11:00AM

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) has launched a new Adult Family Home Clearinghouse designed to simplify how AFHs work with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. This training will guide providers through how the system works and how to submit claims for CBHS and IBSS services. Participants will learn how to register for and use the online clearinghouse system, review and submit claims correctly, and ensure claims are complete before sending them to the health plan or HCA for payment. The session will also cover provider enrollment, Medicaid billing guidelines under the CBHS program, and common troubleshooting questions to help providers navigate the new process with confidence.

No CEUs will be offered.

Behaviorism Training: A Provider’s Guide to Behavior Supports
March 25  |  10:00AM-11:30AM

The training course provides an overview of the primary functions of behavior. Participants will gain tools and skills to assess behavior, identify person-centered interventions, and new techniques for documentation and tracking.

1.5 CEU available to all who attend.

Room and Care: Listing and Managing Medicaid Vacancies
March 25  |  10:00AM-11:30AM

This training provides practical, step-by-step guidance on using the Room and Care application to list current Medicaid vacancies. Participants will learn how to create and manage listings, keep vacancy information accurate and up to date, and ensure their home appears in searches used by case managers and referral sources. The session will also cover common errors to avoid, best practices for maintaining listings, and how effective use of Room and Care can support timely placements and stable occupancy.

1.5 CEU available to all AFH Council members who attend.

Are You Really Ready for Your Next AFH Project?
March 26  |  1:00PM-2:00PM

This training is designed to help Adult Family Home providers make strategic, financially sound decisions before expanding or launching a new project. Rather than starting with a property listing, participants will learn how to first clarify their care model, business model, and financial readiness before deciding whether to move forward. The session will guide providers through defining their target resident population and payer mix, evaluating 12 to 24 month census ramp-up and cash flow projections, and assessing staffing and operational capacity. Participants will review common growth pathways, including converting a home they already own, purchasing a single-family residence to convert, acquiring an existing AFH through Change of Ownership, and considerations for ground-up development. A practical readiness scorecard and red flag checklist will help attendees identify risk factors, evaluate financial reserves, and determine whether to proceed, pause, or walk away from a potential opportunity.

1.0 CEU available to all who attend.

Looking for Education Opportunities?

Check Out Our Events Page

Need Support?

Reach Out to Our Staff

Are You a Member Yet?

Learn About Membership Benefits