The Utah Health Care Association (UHCA) is a statewide non-profit trade association that represents skilled, post-acute care communities, Assisted Living, and ICF/ID communities. The Utah Health Care Association provides leadership, support, and advocacy for our members and encourages the highest standard of quality in long-term care services and administration.
We help our members achieve greater understanding of the services provided in the long-term care community. In addition, UHCA is dedicated to professional development, and strive to provide worthwhile opportunities for continuing education. Our educational events are focused on prevalent issues as well as ongoing professional development topics.
Another large primary focus of the Utah Health Care Association is to present a unified voice before state legislative and administrative agencies.
The Utah Health Care Association staff provide daily assistance to members in areas ranging from regulatory issues, education, legislative activities, legal advice, event planning, and group member benefits. Our staff is dedicated to our members; through our relationships we ensure that those in long term care receive the highest quality of care.
Legislature/Advocacy/Political Action
UHCA staff and members work tirelessly to develop and maintain positive relationships with members of Utah’s Legislature as well as Utah’s Congressional delegation and their key staff. These relationships are important to ensure that our state and federal lawmakers are made aware of issues that are critical to providing quality care to our state’s frail elderly and intellectually disabled. UHCA works closely with key members of Utah’s Legislature to ensure fair and adequate reimbursement is achieved for the long-term care profession. UHCA keeps members apprised of local and national activities directly impacting long-term care. UHCA partners with the American Health Care Association and its National Center for Assisted Living to monitor national legislative activities and movement.
Utah Department of Health
Bureau of Health Facility Licensing and Certification & Resident Assessment
Our on-going, proactive relationship with the Health and Bureau of Health Facility Licensing and Certification & Resident Assessment is important because of the collaboration that brings State and Federal regulations and policies to light. Survey performs regular on-site inspections of Utah’s health care facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to ensure compliance with federal health, treatment and safety standards. Training and education on updates to CMS’s policies and regulations are an ongoing process.
Medicaid (Health Care Financing)
Maintaining a positive relationship and open dialogue with Health Care Financing is critical to ensure adequate funding necessary for delivering quality care.
Education/Professional Development
UHCA’s comprehensive educational programs provide on-going opportunities for training and continuing education. Workshops, seminars, leadership meetings and conventions are offered throughout the year at locations around the state. They address topics designed to keep the members updated and current on a variety of subjects ranging from Quality Assurance and leadership to other health care issues. All UHCA continuing education opportunities are accredited by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL.). Members enjoy early invitations and reduced rates to all education events offered by the association.
Annual Events & Education
Spring Leadership Meeting – St. George, UT
Every April, UHCA offers a dynamic long-term care leadership meeting combined with a vibrant trade show comprised of UHCA’s professional associate members. The Spring Leadership Meeting runs 2 1/2 days in length and features educational sessions designed to provide information, tools, resources, and net-working for long-term care leaders. Specializing in educational tracks, business meetings, and social functions.
Fall Convention & Showcase
This annual event, usually held in September, is UHCA’s largest educational offering and features an ever expanding exhibitor showcase! The Convention/Showcase events run three days in length. Specialized educational tracks, scholarships and awards recognition, business meetings, social events and networking opportunities are all hallmarks of our annual Convention.
Educational Workshops/Seminars
UHCA offers a wide variety of pertinent and timely educational and conference style workshops/seminars throughout the year and are provided in locations around the state. These opportunities are designed to bring members the latest information on operations, regulatory and legal issues, reimbursement, and clinical /services management. These events are also based on need and recommendation from members on pressing issues in long-term care.
Communication and Information
Members have access to current information and constant communication impacting the operation of their facilities statewide and nationally. Typically, information locally will be sent via email. You can also find more prevalent information and keep up to date on current events on “News” section of our website at www.uthca.org/news. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance with pressing issues or would like more information and education regarding recent events or changes.
Media/Marketing/Social Media
The Association is always working to educate the public on current trends in long -term care and focus on what our member facilities provide for the state's most fragile citizens’ our frail elderly and disabled. UHCA’s members provide not only long-term care but also short-term rehabilitative care for individuals who have been hospitalized and need a period of specialized medical care and/or therapies before returning home.
This is an opportunity to show on a wide scale that long- term care is an active community that will follow through on individualized care working towards a positive outcome for their resident’s.
Coalitions
UHCA staff and members work closely with healthcare coalitions around the state to identify long-term care specific issues while bringing partners together in Emergency Preparedness planning. Members are encouraged to participate in their local coalition planning meetings and get involved in drill’s and exercises.