Volume 9, Number 50 — November 11, 2020
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
We took a break last week. Did anything happen since our October 28 edition?
Just kidding. We are never on vacation from the news. This issue begins under the cloud of a President who refuses to concede to a President-elect, and a department of Health and Human Services CMS Administrator who continues to release bulletins that spend as much ink praising the accomplishments of the President as they do addressing the Medicare or Medicaid issue at hand. Not being a partisan publication, however, we bring this week's two CMS news releases including only the news, with the no-longer-needed campaign language stripped out.
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We push our free webinar announcements to the top this week because there are three to choose from tomorrow, November 12. Check your Thursday schedule and pick one or two that meet your needs and assign the others to appropriate staff. Fortunately, they are scheduled in such a way that you could actually take in all three.
You may want to start with mine at 1:00 EST. CareConnect invited me to moderate a discussion with Jim Rolla of Partners in Care, Steve Pellito of Sandata, and CareConnect's President Mike Gelman. Scroll down for more information or click the CareConnect banner at the top of this page to register for "How Technology Enhances Home Care in an Increasingly Remote World."
At 11:00 EST, CHAP's Barbara McCann will lay out the accreditation organization's new home care standards for 2021. Details below, or register here.
Between the two, at noon EST, KanTime will present at no charge a conversation with Bill Dombi, Mike Johnson of Bayada, KanTime's Kristin Duell, Michael Greenlee, CEO of HealthRev Partners, PlayMaker's Holly Miller, and Jared Robey of Worldview. Register for "Managing the Obstacles of 2020 & Accelerating into 2021" here.
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Home Care
Two news items this week will be important to non-medical providers. Guest author Tony Onaissi describes the importance of data analytics and Customer Relationship Management applications. Do you deal with Managed Care Organizations? A new publication from CareCentrix reports on the results of two surveys, one of home care providers and the other of payors, asking about how the pandemic has changed their opinion of the importance of home care in the overall healthcare system. The entire report is available for free download, but we summarize the encouraging highlights in "Dual Surveys Reveal Patient & Payor Opinions of Home Care."
Home Health
Arnie Cisneros is back with Part 3 of his series on PDGM success, "Stop Nibbling at the Edges." Do not miss his appeal to increase OASIS accuracy, and his warning of the consequences of continuing obsolete PPS policies and procedures.
CMS issued a number of statements during our hiatus. Staff writer Darcy Trescone reports on two of them. Those who accepted Provider Relief Funds will want to read her analysis of next steps in "OIG Announces Audit of Provider Relief Fund Handling," and her description of another change in your reporting requirements and new definition of "lost revenue" in "New Guidance from HHS: Patient Care Lost 'Revenues' Definition Change."
For those considering adding remote patient monitoring systems, the American Telemedicine Association issued a statement commenting on the expected approach to telehealth regulations by the new Biden Administration.
Scroll down and click on the headlines that are most important to you. Scroll down further for our Upcoming Webinar and Conference section.
Have a great week. Keep making a difference!
Stop Nibbling At The Edges! Part 3
In the third of his 4-part series, consultant Arnie Cisneros describes Plan of Care Development, In-Episode Management for Optimal IMPACT Act Outcomes, and Documentation Rewire for Impact Act reforms, the three-pronged strategy that has produced positive patient and financial outcomes for his clients under PDGM rules.
OIG Announces Audit of Provider Relief Fund Handling
Did you take the COVID crisis funds? Prepare for your audit.
New Guidance from HHS: Patient Care Lost "Revenues" Definition Change
HHS bows to industry pressure, revises guidance on how to calculate COVD-19 losses.
Data Analytics, CRMs and Referrals for Post-Acute Care Providers
Isoratec founder and CEO Tony Onaissi asks, "What is smart data and how should you be using it to benefit your agency?"
Dual Surveys Reveal Patient & Payor Opinions of Home Care
CareCentrix commissioned two reports that prove payors are catching up to healthcare consumers — and home healthcare providers — about the clinical and financial impact of home-based care.
ATA Comments on Presidential Election Results
"Telehealth has been and will remain a bipartisan issue," association president says.
Other CMS News
— Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Coming for Healthcare Providers
— CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls - November
— CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls
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During the 3rd Quarter of 2021, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 6532 times. To inquire about placing your message here, contact: Kristin@rowanresources.com As of this date, approximately 39,633,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
New CMS Medicare Cost Report Form for HHAs
Putting the Upcoming ACA Supreme Court Case in Perspective
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FREE WEBINAR: How Technology Enhances Home Care in an Increasingly Remote World *
Sponsored by: Care Connect
Moderator: Tim Rowan
Panelists: Mike Gelman, President COO, CareConnect; Jim Rolla, SVP, VNSYNY Partners in Care; Steve Pellito, SVP, Provider Sales, Sandata
Date: November 12
Time: 1:00 pm EDT
FREE WEBINAR: Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Assess Threats & Reduce Your Risk
Presented by: Netsmart
Featuring: Randy Pargman, Binary Defense senior director of threat hunting and counterintelligence; Sharon Hicks, MBA, MSW, OPEN MINDS senior associate; and Mike Murray, Netsmart director of Plexus Technologies,
Date: December 9
Time: 1:00 EST
Healthcare organizations are often at risk of cyberattacks due to a lack of dedicated IT and reliance on traditional reactive approaches. To learn how to protect your data, register now to join Randy Pargman, as they map the risk landscape and provide guidance for safeguarding your organization.
Key takeaways:
• Cyber threats in healthcare
• Impacts of a data breach
• Best practices for securing your data
FREE WEBINAR: Can you collect Cash faster?Sponsored by: Savii
Date: Tuesday, January 12
Time: 2:00 pm EST
With small margins in home care it has prompted the question, “Can we collect cash faster?” And what would this do for an agency? One thing we know is margins are small and have become more challenging than ever to for agencies to profit. This doesn’t mean it impossible for agencies to survive; it means a focus on collecting cash faster will be ever so important.
Agency leaders will first need to develop a timeline cadence of when to address claims based on when they were submitted for payment. In addition it will be pertinent to understand their own agency metrics such as DSO (Daily Sales Outstanding) and how they compare to industry standards.
On this webinar you will walk away with how to develop a timeline and your own DSO dashboard for benchmarking. All of these topics will weave into strategic steps to take toward collecting cash flow faster.
FREE WEBINAR: The Rise of Hospital at Home: A Roundtable Discussion
Sponsored by: AlayaCare
Featuring: Dr. Bruce Leff, Hospital at Home Pioneer & Professor, John Hopkins School of Medicine; Adrian Schauer, Founder and CEO
AlayaCare; Joel Theisen, Founder and CEO, Lifesprk; Brady Murphy, VP Sales & Marketing, AlayaCareDate: Wednesday, January 27
Time: 1:00 EST
Information and RegistrationAgenda
Across the U.S., the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative from CMS is taking off amid the pandemic with at least 80 approved participants to date. As hospital-at-home models become more popular and more beneficial to both patients and health care organizations, those that have recognized the perks of home-based care prior to the COVID-19 crisis may have the upper hand.
Join us on Wednesday, Jan 27th at 1:00 pm EST for a roundtable discussion with industry experts such as Dr. Bruce Leff, Hospital at Home Pioneer and Professor at John Hopkins School of Medicine who deserves his reputation as a founding father of this virtual hospital concept, to learn about the hospital-at-home model and its impact on the home care industry.
FREE Webinar: Practical Application of Information Blocking and Interoperability Rules for Post-Acute Care Providers
Sponsored by: Complia Health and Kno2
Date: February 18
Time: 1:00 ESTJoin healthcare technology experts Alan Swenson, VP of Interoperability at Kno2, and Melissa Turner, Director of Integration at Complia Health, on Thursday, February 18th at 1pm Eastern to learn about information blocking and what it means for your post-acute care organization today and looking ahead to the future.
FREE WEBINAR: Tech Titans Join Forces to Tackle Post Acute Care Challenges
Sponsored by: KanTime
Featuring: Terra Vicario (Moderator) CMO, Viventium; Malka Trump, Director of Compliance, Viventium; Kristen Duell, EVP, KanTime; Kim Spence, RN, Customer Success Division Leader, KanTime; James Cohen, CEO & Co-Founder, Nevvon
Date: Thursday, April 22
Time: 11:00 am PDT, 2:00 pm EDT
experts from companies with solutions for talent/retention and compliance issues, along with the continued challenges that COVID-19 has presented to our industry,
Homecare 100 *
Presented by: Lincoln Healthcare Leadership
Date: June 27-30, 2021
Venue: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, FL
Registration Information
2021 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo *
National Association for Home Care and Hospice
Date: October 3-5
Venue: New OrleansSadly, this conference has had to be postponed, due to the hurricane in New Orleans and COVID situation in Louisiana.
FREE WEBINAR: Vaccine Hesitancy: How Training Can Help
Presented by: Nevvon, Flex For Checks, & Dr. Ian Smith
Date: Monday, October 11
Time: 10:00 AM Pacific; 1:00 PM Eastern
Information and Registration
Featuring:
- Dr. Ian Smith, MD, host of TV's "The Doctors," and NY Times bestselling author
- Burgess Harrision, Executive Director, National Minority Health Association
- James Cohen, CEO, Nevvon Inc.
Who should attend? Caregiver agencies looking for creative ways to alleviate vaccine hesitancy and get more workers and patients protected from the COVID-19 virus.
Agenda:
Learn how training caregivers on vaccines can ensure better compliance, reduce hesitancy and lead to better outcomes. We will share first-hand experience of how the Flex For Checks program has been leading the way in vaccinating caregivers through an amazing and potentially lucrative incentive program.
FREE WEBINAR: Targeted Probe & Educate: Where Do You Stand?
Presented by: Healthcare Synergy
Featuring: Michael Tidd, COS-C, HCS-D, HealthCare Synergy Clinical ManagerDate: Wednesday, November 3
Time: 11:00 am PDT / 2:00 pm EDT
Overview:
Targeted Probe and Educate is a CMS initiative to seek a better understanding of agencies practices in order to protect the Medicare funds. Agencies self-identify themselves and request reviews by their actions and the data they provide to CMS. Are you aware of the signals you might be sending and how to protect yourself?
Objectives:
Speaker:
Michael 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.
AHHC 2021 Leadership Conference
Presented by: Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
Date: November 8-9
Location: Holiday Inn Resort, Wrightsville Beach, NC
FREE WEBINAR: Admit more Patients & Stop Nursing Burnout!
Presented by: OperaCare
Date: November 10
Time: 1:00 pm EST; 10:00 PST
The nursing shortage is getting much worse and will most likely impact your business if it has not already.
During this event we will demonstrate how to complete an entire OASIS in approx. 60 minutes or less. This includes ICD-10 coding, entry and revision of medication’s, all the OASIS items, and Quality Assurance while the nurse is with the patient in the home.
The result: Eliminating 100% of after-hours documentation, increasing clinical productivity, and reducing your labor costs.
The Benefit: The ability to significantly increase your recruitment and retention efforts by providing your clinicians with a sane and humane work life balance.
Important Final Rule Discoveries Every Agency Needs to Know: Examining HH PPS for CY2022
Presented by: HealthRevPartners
Featuring: John Reisinger, CPA
DATE: November 18
TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 EST
VENUE: Online
FEE: NONE
One of the major changes in CMS’ final rule for the Home Health Prospective Payment System announced is this — ???2022 will be a "pre-implementation year for the HHVBP, which was originally scheduled to begin in January.
Learn exactly what you need to do in 2022 for HHVBP.
Additionally, we will cover these final rule changes and more:
- Individual payment rate changes ranging from:
- An increase of 35.7%, to
- A decrease of 34.6%
- 2022 will be the last year of the Rural Add-on
- Significant changes with all 432 Case-Mix Weights
And, do you know how much your Medicare revenues are projected to change?
There will be a 3.2% increase ($570 million) in home health spending for CY2022.
*The Rowan Report will see you there.
FREE WEBINAR: New, Science-Based Methodology Reduces Cost of Recruitment and Retention
Presented by: The Rowan Report
Featuring: Eric Becker, CEO, MiliMatch
Date: Thursday, March 18
Time: 3:00 pm EST; Noon PST
Recorded version available.
Agenda:
Every time a home care agency hires and trains a new caregiver, it invests about $4,500, which is wasted if that new hire does not work out, often before working a first shift. MiliMatch CEO Eric Becker will explain the company's patented product/service, based on the science of Applied Cognitive Linguistics, which has been proven to help home care agencies avoid those costly bad hires.
FREE WEBINARS: "Best of Home Care Heroes" Series
Sponsored by: Ankota
Featuring: Steve "The Hurricane" Weiss, Ophelia Cole, Barbara Gaines, Cheryl Hammons, others
Dates: Ongoing
- How Home Care Thrives in the Post-COVID World (with Steve "the Hurricane" Weiss)
- ADDED THIS WEEK: "Finishing 2021 STRONG!" Wednesday, September 15, 3-4pm EST.
Register HereContact Ankota directly about two special offers: a free trial of a staffed, live-chat solution for your website, and a discount to Steve Weiss' "Mililonaire Bootcamp."
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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