Several items in this week’s newsletter require provider action or feedback. Please review the checklist below and complete each item that applies to your home.
Provider Action Checklist
Complete one Live-In Care Impact Survey for each licensed AFH you own or operate.
Contact AFHC if a resident is being “graduated” from the ECS program.
Reserve your Fall Conference hotel room by Wednesday, September 9.
Purchase conference tickets if you have not already registered.
Consider sponsoring the conference or contributing a raffle or giveaway item.
Homes affected by the Spokane Wildfires have an opportunity to be granted up to $500 in relief thanks to the GoFundMe
We Need to Hear From Providers
Help Make Sure Every AFH Is Counted
The Senate Ways and Means Committee has asked AFHC to estimate how many adult family homes and live-in caregivers may be affected by the Bolina v. AssureCare decision.
Please complete one confidential survey response for each licensed AFH you own or operate. Do not combine multiple homes into one response.
The information collected will help AFHC demonstrate the ruling’s impact on providers, caregivers, residents, and Washington’s long-term care system. Survey results will be reported only in aggregate.
Is an ECS Resident Being “Graduated” From the Program?
AFHC has heard concerns that some residents may be “graduated” from the Expanded Community Services program.
If this has happened at your home—or you have received notice that it may happen—please contact AFHC. Provider experiences can help the Council identify patterns and better understand the effect on residents and adult family homes.
When contacting us, please include the date of the notice, the effective date, the agency or organization involved, and how the change may affect your home. Do not include resident names, health information, or other confidential details.
Washington-licensed adult family homes directly affected by the Spokane-area wildfires may apply for up to $500 in limited relief funding. Applications will be reviewed while funds remain available, and submission does not guarantee an award.
AFHC is collecting documented reports of delayed, denied, or missing MCO payments. This information will help identify patterns and support escalation with MCO leadership, the Health Care Authority, and policymakers.
Before contacting AFHC:
Confirm that the MCO is responsible for the payment.
Submit a written claim dispute or reconsideration to the MCO.
Request the exact reason for non-payment, any missing documents, and a case or reference number.
If your issue is still unresolved click the button below for next steps.
Help AFHC recognize an outstanding adult family home caregiver. Share what makes your nominee exceptional and provide one example of their impact. Please protect resident privacy and do not include identifying or medical information.
Deadline: Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Donate an item, experience, service, gift certificate, or themed package for the 2026 Fall Conference silent auction. AFHC will review submissions and provide delivery instructions for accepted items.
Deadline: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Thursday and Friday, September 24–25, 2026 Tulalip Resort, Marysville, Washington
Join adult family home providers from across Washington for education, advocacy updates, professional connections, and a celebration of 30 years of Voice, Value, and Vision.
The Thursday Pass and Two-Day Pass include admission to Thursday evening’s Buffet Dinner.
Attendee Ticket Pricing
2026 AFHC Fall Conference
Ticket
Member Price
Non-Member Price
Thursday Pass September 24, 2026
$250
$400
Friday Pass September 25, 2026
$210
$300
Two-Day Pass September 24–25, 2026
$350
$500
Member pricing requires a current AFHC membership and valid adult family home license.
Your adult family home is part of the story we are celebrating at this year’s Fall Conference.
For $550, an AFH can sponsor a table during Thursday’s Buffet Dinner and create a dedicated space to gather with team members, colleagues, and professional partners.
Each Dinner Table Sponsorship includes:
A designated sponsored dinner table
Reserved seating for up to 10 properly registered attendees
Your AFH or organization’s name displayed at the table
Limited placement of approved brochures, business cards, signage, or small promotional items
Use your table to recognize your team, celebrate your home’s work, welcome colleagues, and take part in an evening honoring 30 years of resilience in Washington’s adult family home community.
Conference registration and dinner admission are not included. Everyone seated at the table must have valid admission to Thursday’s dinner.
Group rate: $139/night Wednesday and Thursday; $199/night Friday
Online booking closes: September 9, 2026, or earlier if the room block sells out
Need different dates? Call reservations. Additional dates may be added based on availability. Once the contracted room allotment is used, requests must be made by phone. Book Tulalip Resort
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marysville by IHG Marysville, WA
Call hotel for current event rate and availability.
Registration Is Open for the 2026 Candidate Forums
Hear directly from candidates and help bring adult family home issues into the conversation.
AFHC Candidate Forums give providers an opportunity to learn about candidates’ priorities, hear how they would approach issues affecting adult family homes, and strengthen relationships with future policymakers.
Registration is now open for forums across Washington:
Question surveys will begin opening soon, giving providers an opportunity to suggest questions for candidates. Watch for the survey serving your area and register now for your local forum.
Help Shape Member Support at the
Fall Conference 2026
What questions would you like AFHC Member Support to address at the 2026 Fall Conference?
Submit your general questions about membership, event registration, website accounts, continuing education records, AFHC resources, or finding the right support. Your responses will help the Member Support team identify common concerns and prepare useful answers for conference attendees.
Questions may be combined, paraphrased, or answered anonymously during the conference or in a follow-up resource.
Please do not include resident names, employee information, health information, or other confidential details. If you need help with an active or time-sensitive issue, contact Member Support directly rather than waiting for the conference.
CBHS Clearinghouse Update: Possible Reason for Unpaid Claims
HCA and Community Health Partnership Services (CHPS) have identified a technical issue affecting some CBHS claims submitted through the Clearinghouse.
The issue occurs after an Adult Family Home submits billing information, when the Clearinghouse converts the submission into the electronic claim format sent to the managed care plan. This may help explain why some CBHS claims have been rejected, delayed, or remain unpaid.
HCA, CHPS, and the managed care plans are currently testing changes to address the issue. Final instructions are still pending, including guidance for Molina and Wellpoint providers and whether previously affected claims will need to be resubmitted.
Provider Action: If you have unpaid, delayed, or rejected CBHS claims, keep copies of your billing spreadsheets, submission confirmations, claim information, denial notices, and related emails. Providers should also track affected claims by managed care plan, date of service, submission date, and amount billed.
AFHC has requested additional guidance from HCA and will share updates as soon as more information is available.
Wildfire Evacuation Billing: What Providers Need to Know
Providers impacted by this summer’s wildfires may have questions about whether they can continue billing when residents have been evacuated.
DSHS issued guidance on August 7, 2026, reminding providers that payment depends on who is actually providing the resident’s care during the evacuation.
Here’s the basic breakdown:
If you or your staff continued caring for the resident at the evacuation location: You may continue billing the resident’s authorized CARE daily rate.
If the resident moved to another licensed and DSHS-contracted residential provider: The receiving provider will generally be authorized to bill for the resident’s care. The original AFH should not continue billing the resident’s authorization.
If you are holding the resident’s bed but are not currently providing their care: DSHS has requested emergency approval from CMS for possible retainer payments. AFHC has been advised that this approval is still pending, so providers should not bill a retainer payment at this time.
If your home was affected, keep detailed records. Document where each resident went, who provided their care, the dates involved, whether you are holding their bed, and communications with the resident’s case manager.
AFHC is also hearing from providers who have been unable to bill for certain days following an evacuation. If this has happened to you, please contact us at info@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org so we can document the issue and continue seeking clarification.
Rockwood South Hill Campus 2850 E Rockhurst Ln, Spokane, WA 99223
Long-term care providers and community partners are invited to come together following the Spokane Complex Fires to discuss what worked, what challenges arose, and how the region can be better prepared for the next emergency.
The fires reinforced how important clear communication, evacuation planning, staffing, transportation, resident information, continuity of operations, and coordination with community partners are during a fast-moving emergency.
Participants will have an opportunity to share lessons learned, identify gaps and resources, strengthen evacuation and communication procedures, and help turn recent experiences into practical improvements for future emergencies.
AFHC encourages Spokane-area providers to participate and bring their experiences to this important regional conversation.
RSVP: Please provide your company name, phone number, email address, and number of attendees.
Non-Citizens in Adult Family Homes: What AFH Providers Need to Know
Beginning October 1, 2026, federal changes under H.R. 1 will restrict access to federally funded Apple Health Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) for some non-citizen residents.
Residents who may be affected include individuals with refugee, asylee, trafficking-survivor, Ukrainian humanitarian parolee, or certain other humanitarian-protection statuses. DSHS has advised that affected residents will receive information about these changes and should report any change in immigration or citizenship status to DSHS.
State-Funded Services for AFH Residents
AFHC requested additional clarification from DSHS regarding the impact of H.R. 1 on residents living in adult family homes.
DSHS has advised that affected AFH residents who are currently receiving Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports will continue to receive services through available state funding when the federal changes take effect.
The agency is still working through the operational details of the state-funded model. As soon as we know more, we will provide that information.
Funding and Implementation
The Legislature appropriated funding to address a portion of impact of non-citizen residents in long-term care facilities. DSHS has explained that the available funding is limited and that the long-term availability of state-funded services remains uncertain.
The state is developing an emergency rule for implementation by October 1, 2026, and expects to begin permanent rulemaking shortly thereafter. From our understanding, there should not be proposed changes to AFH reimbursement, service limits, provider documentation, training, or other administrative requirements once the state funding gets rolled out.
AFHC will continue to monitor the rulemaking process, implementation details, and funding developments and will advocate for clear communication and continuity of services for affected AFH residents.
Join us for the RCS AFH 2026 Summer Forum, hosted by the Home and Community Living Administration’s Division of Residential Care Services in partnership with the Adult Family Home Council. This important webinar provides AFH providers with the opportunity to connect directly with Field Managers and Regional Administrators, receive key regulatory updates, and strengthen communication around our shared mission of delivering high-quality care to vulnerable residents.
As a member of the Adult Family Home Council, you and two staff members can access on-demand Continuing Education Units through our Online Campus, powered by Cornerstone Healthcare Training. This training platform is free with your membership and offers self-paced, mobile-friendly courses designed specifically for Adult Family Home providers. Members benefit from exclusive course offerings, a quick and easy registration process, and expert support when needed. Use the button below to request your registration and start exploring the Online Campus today.
The Adult Family Home Council is planning upcoming chapter meetings, webinars, and conferences. We invite affiliate business partners and experienced AFH providers to take part as education presenters or chapter meeting lunch sponsors. We welcome provider-focused presentation topics that offer practical guidance for AFH owners. Experienced providers are encouraged to share successful practices from real AFH settings and may present independently or in collaboration with Council staff. Interested in presenting or sponsoring? Complete our brief interest form to share your topic ideas and availability.
Join the Network of More Than 2,400 Adult Family Homes Today!
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.
