CareConnect Appoints Michael Appel as GM/SVP for Homecare and Unveils New Collaborations for 2025

CareConnect Welcomes Michael Appel as New GM/SVP of Homecare

CareConnect, LLC, a frontrunner in AI and software solutions for home care, has made significant strides heading into 2025 by appointing Michael Appel as the General Manager and Senior Vice President of Homecare. With an extensive background spanning over 25 years in various facets of healthcare, including product management, business analysis, and software development, Appel's experience positions him as a crucial asset to the CareConnect team. Previously, he served as CEO and Co-Founder of Arrow Solutions, which was later acquired by AlayaCare. His joining CareConnect signifies a step towards enhancing the organization's strategic growth.

CEO Matt McGinty expressed enthusiasm about Michael's expertise, stating, "Michael possesses a deep pool of knowledge in Homecare along with strategic insights that will lead to our expansion in 2025 and beyond." Notably, Appel holds a BA in Computer Science from Yeshiva University and an MBA from The Wharton School, underscoring his aptitude in aligning technology with healthcare delivery. Apart from his professional credentials, Appel is passionate about music, running, and science fiction literature, particularly the works of Neal Stephenson.

Partnerships for Progress

In tandem with Appel's appointment, CareConnect announced a series of new partnerships aimed at fortifying the homecare landscape. Collaborations with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), 1199SEIU, and the Association for Home Hospice Care of North Carolina and South Carolina (AHHC-NC/AHHC-SC), among others, are designed to improve operational efficiency and resource management within the industry.

Addressing Workforce Challenges

The homecare sector often grapples with challenges related to staffing and retention. Recognizing this, CareConnect's approach involves aligning with top vendors to provide solutions that enhance care delivery and foster collaboration among agency stakeholders. For instance, with over 700 member agencies, the PHA will now have no-cost access to CareConnect’s Home Health Care Hire Basic—a comprehensive applicant tracking system that streamlines the hiring process.

As PHA CEO Mia Haney articulated, “Workforce challenges remain a critical priority, and our partnership with CareConnect will enable us to deliver insightful analytics that enhance the applicant journey and overall workforce experience.”

Expanding Opportunities with 1199SEIU and AHHC-NC/AHHC-SC

In a similar vein, CareConnect will extend its resources to 1199SEIU member agencies, offering access to eLearning platforms and exclusive discounts on the ShiftMatch.AI services. This move, which targets caregivers across the New York market, aims to bolster training and support within the healthcare community.

For the AHHC-NC and AHHC-SC associations, CareConnect pledged to provide eLearning tools and an applicant tracking system for their over 1,000 agencies. Tim Rogers, CEO of both associations, stated enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its significance during a time of critical staffing shortages in the sector.

Collaborative Efforts with Axxess Technology and WOTC

In addition to the above partnerships, CareConnect has joined forces with Axxess Technology Solutions to deliver a suite of interconnected products and services that will streamline recruitment and improve caregiver retention rates. Chris Taylor, Axxess’ Senior Vice President, highlighted how their collaboration is designed to enhance workflow efficiency and accomplish strategic goals in caregiver engagement.

Furthermore, CareConnect's alliance with the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) emphasizes financial benefits for agencies, potentially saving them substantial resources each year by securing eligible tax credits.

Focus on Caregiver Well-being with Momentous Human Performance

Demonstrating a commitment to caregiver welfare, CareConnect has also teamed up with Momentous Human Performance. This partnership ensures that caregivers in the CareConnect network have access to premium nutrition products, enhancing their well-being and performance in delivering care. Caregivers will benefit from a 20% discount on Momentous products, thereby facilitating better overall health—which translates into improved care quality.

About CareConnect

CareConnect is committed to revolutionizing homecare through its innovative AI-driven suite of solutions that streamline agency operations. Their tools aim to expedite hiring processes, boost caregiver engagement, and produce predictive analytics for data-driven decision-making. CareConnect is steadfast in its mission to enhance the quality of homecare while addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the industry today. Managing workload efficiencies and care delivery is vital for all stakeholders including caregivers, agencies, and payors.

With significant leadership and partnership changes underway, CareConnect is poised to make a lasting impact on homecare services in 2025 and beyond.