Volume 8, Number 43 — October 30, 2019
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
We feature news of interest to nurses and other clinicians this week. But first, just as we were going to press, we read the statement from CMS that they have finalized PDGM details. The headline is that they have backed off a little from their 8.01% behavioral adjustment. They still will not concede that the very idea of reducing payments in advance based on their assumptions of how you might adapt to PDGM is a bad one. But they have temporarily cut the adjustment to 4.36%. The full statement of the rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 8.
Our two lead articles will be of particular interest to our friends on the front line. Staff writer Darcey Trescone, a nurse herself, looked into the growing popularity of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics. Her article, "Technology is Changing How We Practice Nursing," explores the impact of these new technology advances on the practice of nursing.
I interviewed a nurse I met at the NAHC meeting this month and watched a demonstration of her new software system. She built it to deal with the nursing shortage but it will be as beneficial to nurses as it will to the employers needing to fill positions and visits. Read about my chat with Cara Lundstrom, RN, founder and CEO of "Holliblu," in "Nurse Tackles Nursing Shortage with Free App." You will enjoy Cara's app, especially the part about it being free for nurses to use.
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I was intrigued by an article I found about SFF, Small Form Factor computers, so I looked into it in some detail. Some IT industry experts believe these ultra compacts, some as small as 4" by 4", have already made the desktop computer obsolete. If requisitioning and provisioning hardware systems for your office comes under your purview, take a look at what I learned in "Is the Desktop PC Dead?"
This week's briefing includes news from SutureHealth, a description of a different kind of electronic medication adherence manager from cue-Rx, and an easy-to-use location tracker by AngelSense for persons with dementia and children on the autism spectrum.
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The New Mexico Association for Home Care and Hospice holds its annual meeting in Albuquerque on November 7-8. I am honored to be moderating a panel discussion featuring top national experts in interoperability. I hope to see some of you there. The following week, Decision Health hosts its annual Private Duty conference at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Roger McManus and I will be there to announce the release of a vastly upgraded version of our online reputation management software system. Across town, Michael Ferris is holding a Home Health Sales Training Bootcamp, November 12-13 at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort. In December, Dixon Healthcare Solutions invites you to parallel seminars for home health and hospice at Bally's in Las Vegas. Scroll down for details about each of these opportunities.
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Have a great week. Keep making a difference!
Technology is Changing How We Practice Nursing
The ability to compile data from multiple sources and utilize algorithms to present content, such as potential risks and potential disease trajectory, enhances the role of the nurse and care team.
Nurse Tackles Nursing Shortage with Free App
Startup plans to go nationwide with online community of nurses.
Is the Desktop PC Dead? Meet "Small Form Factor" Computing
Intel's "NUC," AMD's yet unnamed Small Form Factor PC, and Apple's "Mac Mini" may soon escort the familiar PC tower out the same door that welcomed VCRs, CDs, and fax machines.
Vendor Watch
— SutureHealth Launches New Brand
— cue-Rx is a different kind of medication adherence manager
— AngelSense keeps track of persons with dementia and children with autism
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During the 2nd Quarter of 2020, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 4523 times. To inquire about placing your message here, contact: Kristin@rowanresources.com As of this date, approximately 35,475,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Technology New and Old Makes News at NAHC Conference and Expo
Honor Care Network Adds New Partners in New States
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WEBINAR: 5 Crucial Ways to Prepare for PDGM
Sponsored by: HealthCare Synergy
Featuring: Michael Tidd, LVN, COS-C, COS-D
Dates: November 13
Time: 10:00 am PST / 1:00 am EST
Information and RegistrationAgencies are rapidly trying to prepare for the PDGM payment model. We will show you the most crucial ways an agency can prepare for the internal changes needed for PDGM. While most agencies are focusing on how to instruct clinicians on the change, PDGM has the most impact on office functions. Attend and gain insight on the things the agency needs to be doing now to prepare for January 1, 2020.
Objectives:
1. Learn agency level changes that can be implemented to be successful in 2020
2. Understand how to approach budgeting and finances under PDGM
3. What do your clinicians really need to know to ensure the agencies continued successMichael Tidd has over 19 years of experience in the Home Care Industry and is a frequent speaker at HealthCare Synergy Workshops and Webinars. He is a Software Developer, LVN and Certified in ICD-9/10 Coding and OASIS (COS-C, HCS-D). As the Clinical Manager for HealthCare Synergy, he directs the Outsourced Management Services, assists in directing the development of the Healthcare Assistant Web Edition, oversees the Clinical Documentation Auditing provided to clients and directs the Clinical Form Development for the Healthcare Assistant Web Edition. Michael continues to educate agencies in the ongoing regulations that CMS produces, the proper application of the Medicare Conditions of Participation and completing timely, accurate and defendable clinical documentation to survive in the current Medicare Reimbursement Model.
Webinar: Post-Acute Care Quality Reporting Programs
Presented by: CMS
Date: Thursday, November 14
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST
Fee: Free
Description: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a webinar for Medicare-certified hospice providers to provide an overview on Hospital Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) requirements.
During this webinar, CMS subject matter experts will provide information on the following topics:
- Hospice Item Set (HIS) reporting requirements;
- HQRP compliance cycle;
- How to achieve hospice compliance;
- CAHPs survey requirements; and
- How to switch CAHPS survey research vendors.
CMS will answer questions at the end of the webinar as time permits.
Register
Conference: Successful Home Health Transformation
Hosted Dixon Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Date: December 5-6
Location: Bally's, Las Vegas
Time: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Speakers: Richard K. Dixon, Cheryl Peltekis, RN, Meaghan McCormick, Esq., Donna Floyd, RN, BSN, J'non Griffin, RN, MHA, HCS-D, BCCH-C, COS-C, WCC; Annette Lee, RN, MS, HCS-D, COS-C; Cory Mertz, managing partner for a leading healthcare M&A firm.Approved for up to 10 hours of Continuing Nursing Education by Corexcel, an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
WEBINAR: PDGM Preparation: Operational StrategiesSponsored by Kornetti & Krafft Health Care Solutions & MedBridge
Date: December 5
Time: 1:00 pm EST
Knowing that resources are tight as PDGM approaches, Kornetti & Krafft is offering a free overview of OASIS D1 to ensure that changes to this critical data collection instrument do not get lost in the shuffle.
What is Included:
- Highlight key differences between OASIS D and D1
- Make an informed decision about the use of "=" as a response
- As an outsourced OASIS/Coding company, the most commonly seen OASIS errors and proven strategies for success will be included.
Homecare 100 *January 19-22
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort
Miami, FL
https://www.homecare100.com/
WEBINAR: Key Documentation Issues for 2020 & the Future
A 90-Minute Lunch & Learn Audio Conference by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq. Health Care Attorney
Date: March 18
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 EDT
Encore date: March 25; On-demand recording available
Information and Registration
Documentation remains a key requirement for home care providers as the consequences for inadequate documentation become more severe.
- What can home health agencies do to avoid denials by ZPICs, RACs, etc., for lack of homebound status and reasonable and necessary care?
- What kind of documentation must home health agencies, hospices, private duty agencies and HME companies maintain regarding gifts to referral sources and payments to physicians who make referrals to them?
- How can providers avoid an increase in enforcement action in this area?
- What kinds of documentation problems are private duty agencies facing with regard to recoupments from state Medicaid Programs?
- What dangers do electronic medical records cause for all types of home health providers?
- Is it true that if it wasn't documented, it wasn't done?
Gather your staff members to emphasize effective documentation yet again. Real examples of cases involving problematic documentation will be presented. Questions and case examples are welcome, and extensive handouts will be provided for use by staff members.
Recordings Available: Pandemic Recovery - Rebuild Stronger Than Ever
Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice
Two days of keynote and breakout presentations for home health and hospice providers.
Free Webinar: Home Care Marketing Best Practices for Medicaid Agencies
Presented by: Ankota
Featuring: Steve "The Hurricane" Weiss
Date: June 18
Time: 12:00 EDT
Fee: FreeHere are a few biographical fun-facts about Steve:
- As a marketer, grew Care Choice, a private duty home care agency from 16 clients to over $5 million in annual revenue
- His company, Hurricane Marketing Enterprises runs marketing boot camps and provides other services to help agencies grow and thrive
- Steve has been a featured key-note speaker in many national conferences
- Check out his website here: homecaremarketing.net
- The best things about a session with Steve are his passion for home care, his great stories and his infectious energy!
Virtual Conference: Virtual Summit on Health System Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Nation’s Health System Leaders Engage in a Real-Time Dialogue on Pandemic Recovery and the Future of Health Care in America
Sponsored by: Global Health Care, LLC
Featuring:
- David Brailer, MD, PhD, Executive Chairman, Health Evolution, Former National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Former CEO, CareScience
- Bruce D. Broussard, MBA President and CEO, Humana, Former Chair and Chief Executive Officer, US Oncology
- Michael W. Cropp, MD, MBA President and CEO, Independent Health, Chairman, Alliance of Community Health Plans
- Wyatt Decker, MD, MBA CEO, OptumHealth
Date: June 22-25
The Nation’s Health System Leaders Engage in a Real-Time Dialogue on Pandemic Recovery and the Future of Health Care in America
All health care providers offering full-time, hands-on services to COVID patients click here to register at no cost.
Virtual Conference: ATA Annual Meeting
American Telemedicine Association
Date: June 22-26
Webinar Series: Sales Training, Home Health and Hospice
Presented by: Healthcare Strategica, LLC
Featuring: Michael Ferris
1 - 8-week Hospice & Palliative Care Sales Training Course2 - 8-week Home Health Sales Training
Rowan Report subscribers: Register with this link to receive $100 discount.
We have taken our best of class industry specific sales training bootcamps and are offering them via Webinar to enable you to continue to train your sales team in today's world of limited travel and social distancing.
The Hospice and Palliative Care course will be offered live every Tuesday starting May 19 through July 7, 2020.
The Home Health course will be offered live every Tuesday starting May 21 through July 9, 2020.
Each class will have participation exercises, homework assignments, quizzes and question and answer opportunities.
Each participant will receive their own course materials and individual coaching and feedback. At the conclusion of the course each student will receive a certificate of completion, an invitation to join the exclusive Sales Mastery Group* and opportunity to join the 52-week Sales Training Excellence Course.*
* Only available to Sales Professionals that have successfully completed the 8-week Sales Training Course – additional fees may apply.
Each session will be offered on-demand and if unable to attend the live webinar, you will be able to view the recording and participate in exercises, questions, coaching and quizzes. If you start after the first webinar date, you will be provided with access to those classes missed so that you can get caught up or you may elect to attend via the recorded sessions.
FREE WEBINAR: COVID-19 Forum: How Coronavirus is Reshaping Home Health and Hospice Financial Operations *
Sponsored by: HealthRev Partners
Moderator: Tim Rowan
Panelists: Bobby Robertson, Chip Carroll, Holly Miller, John Reisinger, Rachel Bracken (details below)Date: July 9
Time: 2:00 pm EDT
Not only is the home care industry under tremendous clinical pressure, but you are also likely feeling a financial squeeze. Because of this, forward-thinking agency leaders are exploring new strategies and opportunities to remain solvent. In this webinar, our panelists will chat about ways to achieve financial success when so many are struggling. They will discuss:
Panelists:
Bobby Robertson | President & Founder, Missouri Home Hospice
Chip Carroll | Director of Strategy & Business Development, Playmaker Health
Holly Miller | Chief Revenue Officer, Playmaker Health
John Reisinger | Principal, Innovative Financial Solutions for Home Health
Rachel Bracken | Vice President of Services, HealthRev Partners
Moderated by Tim Rowan | Editor, Healthcare at Home: The Rowan Report
Part III: "Agency Leadership and Operations" is set for July 23.
Virtual Conference: NAHC Financial Managers Annual Meeting
July 27-30
Virtual Conference: SAGE 2020
Hosted by Honor
This is a half day, free conference that will stretch all of us to think about how we are shaping the future of elderhood. Our speakers will cover topics around innovation, technology, the evolving art of caregiving and the future of senior living. I’m very excited that we will kick off with Pulitzer Prize finalist and geriatrician Louise Aronson, author of Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, and Reimagining Life.
Date: September 1 & 2, 2020
Time: 10:00 am - 12:45 pm PST both days
Cost: Free of charge for Rowan Report subscribers
Website: https://network.joinhonor.com/sage-2020
Register
Free Webinar: Carpe Diem: Now is the Ideal Time to Excavate Your Brand Genius
A complimentary webinar & roundtable discussion for executive business leaders
Featuring: Mary Maloney
Date: September 11
Time: 12:00 - 12:45 EDTNow more than ever we need leaders ready to own a new world narrative - those who are brave enough to strategically position and message their voice in the marketplace from a deeper perspective of purpose that connects directly to what lights them up (their brand genius).
Many leaders confess that they have forgotten their greatness or feel lost in a sea of sameness, amongst a fiercely competitive set. They say they struggle with what words will resonate or feel “salesy” when asked, “What do you do?”
Thanks to the pace of technology, we have less than seconds to connect, therefore, it’s no longer all about what you do for a living and the quantifiable goals you achieved; it’s much more about what you stand for, the legacy you want to leave and building trust expeditiously with your tribe.
If 82% of people make buying decisions based on emotion (Capgemini), what emotive messages are you sending?
This webinar will start you on your journey to deliberately make your personal brand come alive.
*The Rowan Report will see you there.
Your state or national association meeting or webinar not listed? Send the details to Conferences@RowanResources.com using this format:
Conference Title
Sponsoring Association
Date(s)
Hotel or Conference Center, City, State
URL
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