Volume 7, Number 46 — December 12, 2018
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
For nearly 20 years, this publication has taken the position that in-home post-acute care – including skilled home health, non-medical home care, and in-home hospice – saves public and private insurance payers more than it costs them, when total healthcare costs are included in the calculation. Still, from conference stages over the years, across microphones that always seem to be turned up just a little louder than the ones the audience uses, representatives of those payers always respond to such assertions with, "Prove it." Some claim they have data that proves the opposite.
After years of these public arguments, we were excited to read the report from a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Biotechnology Information. A team of physicians and statisticians followed thousands of claims for people discharged from a hospital admission after one of three common surgeries: total hip replacement, coronary bypass grafting, and colectomy. If you have ever endured an argument like the ones we have, you must read our report on this study. Click on the headline, "NIH Post-Acute Study Authors Blast CMS." In fact, you should follow the link and read the entire report. It will give you the ammunition you need the next time a payer says in-home care costs too much.
In other news: Home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue has been following the court cases that challenge CMS's right to withhold alleged overpayments during the appeals process. With a two to three year wait to bring an appeal before an Administrative Law Judge, losing contested funds in the six- or seven-figure range can be devastating. You will not believe the logic the court used in the cases Ms. Hogue explores this week. An HHA can keep the money if having CMS hold it would cause undue harm. Forcing an HHA out of business does not qualify as "undue harm." Click on "Home Health Loses Another ALJ Battle," below.
We wondered what MatrixCare will be doing now that it has been acquired by ResMed so we went to the source. Our conversation with CEO Bill Miller reveals his plans for products and how MatrixCare will prepare its customers for new Medicare payment rules. Click on our exclusive interview, below.
In October, I was invited to attend a healthcare conference hosted by Marcus Evans Events. Though the atmosphere was different from the state and national home care conferences I am used to, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned from executives from hospitals, rehab facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and investment banks. What was most memorable, however, was the keynote speech by former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Click on "Introducing Marcus Evans Summits and Conferences" to see what I mean. The author of a number of mental health bills that he shepherded through the legislative maze to become law literally bared his soul to us while talking about his bouts with substance abuse.
Worth the trip:
New England providers (and their neighbors), put January 22-24 on your calendar. The Northeast Home Health Leadership Summit, sponsored by the state home care associations of New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The summit will be held at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston. Event website: nehomehealthsummit.com
There is still time to register for the 8th Annual Compliance Cruise. Join me, Liz Pearson, Lucian Bernard, Michael McGowan, Jim Plonsey, and Cheryl Petelkis for three days of intensive compliance consultations and presentations in the midst of a 7-day Caribbean cruise. January 13-20.
Have a great week. Keep making a difference!
NIH Post-Acute Study Authors Blast CMS
Researchers offer proof that post-acute care saves so much for payers that those payers should not quibble about how much post-acute care costs.
Home Health Loses Another ALJ Battle
Courts refuse to prevent CMS from recouping overpayments before ALJ hearings. Guest writer Elizabeth Hogue, Esq. has been following the effort to recover access to the Administrative Law Judge system. The latest development is not good news.
Exclusive Interview: Software CEO Looks at Post Acute Care's Future
Silver Tsunami will lead to a Silver Rush in post-acute care, says WellSky CEO Bill Miller.
Introducing Marcus Evans Summits and Conferences
Last October, former Representative Patrick Kennedy brought a group of healthcare executives to tears, then to their feet, with his courageous autobiographical keynote and appeal to concern for mental healthcare.
Ensocare and Wellpepper Streamline Patient Discharge and Engagement
Wellpepper and Ensocare join forces to improve discharge planning, post-acute placement, and patient engagement with care plans.
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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 31,933,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Product Review: New Mobile App Aims to Disrupt Healthcare Education Sector
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National Healthcare CNO/CMO/Informatics Summit
Presented by Marcus Evans Events
Date: March 18-19, 2019
Location: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA
The Healthcare Summits are the premium forums bringing senior level medical executives and solution providers together. The one-on-one business meetings provide access to senior medical executives within the largest healthcare organizations across the United States. A thorough selection process ensures a qualified audience, which grants unparalleled business and networking opportunities in a luxurious and stimulating environment.
Information and registration
2019 Omaha System International Conference: A Key to Practice, Documentation, and Information Management
Date: April 3-5, 2019
Location: Eagan, Minnesota
Fees: Pre-Conference (1 day): $165
Conference (2 days): $335
Pre-conference and Conference (all 3 days): $500
Registration and Information
The Omaha System International Conference is held every two years as a venue for those in practice, education, research, and software development to exchange experiences. There is something for everyone involved with the Omaha System, from beginners to experts to everyone in between. Joyce Sensmeier, HIMSS is the keynote speaker, and The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing is the school host. The 2019 PDF flier includes location and registration information, speaker/planner list, agenda, exhibitors, and more.
National Healthcare CXO Summit
Presented by Marcus Evans Events
Date: May 19-21
Location: Eau Palm Beach ResortKeynote Presenters: Susan Blumenthal, past US Assistant Surgeon General; Nicholas Webb, Healthcare Futurist
The National Healthcare CXO Summit is the premium forum bringing senior level healthcare executives and solution providers together. As an invitation-only event, taking place behind closed doors, the Summit offers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the healthcare industry.
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.
Navigating the Hospice Cost Report
Sponsored by: ElevatingHOME
Date: February 19, 2019
Time: 12:00pm EST
Fee: FREECMS has stated that 66% of the cost reports previously filed should not have been accepted and will now be subject to more strenuous requirements. The cost reports will be used by CMS to recalibrate and adjust the hospice daily payment rates.
Join Elevating Home for this webinar as Tom Boyd, Vice President of Reimbursable Services with Simione Healthcare Consultants discusses what is new and help participants identify and understand the requirements for the completion of the Medicare Hospice cost report.
The Hospice Cost Report: A Requirement & A Management Tool
Presented by: Tom Boyd, MBA, CFE, CHFP, Vice President of Reimbursable Services, Simione Healthcare Consultants
Date: February 14
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 EST
Fee: FREE
Join Simione Healthcare Consultants for an overview of hospice cost reporting and ways to make sense of all the required information to support timely, accurate and affordable filing. A Simione cost report is backed by our longstanding experience with reimbursement and government reporting. Discover the difference and get the bigger picture on your hospice finances!
Interoperability for Service Providers through CMS’s EMDI Initiative
Presented by: ElevatingHOME and VNAA
Featuring: Pallavi Talekar, Project Manager, Scope Infotech, Inc.; Ray Wilkerson, Sr. Business Analyst, Scope Infotech, Inc.; Nandini Ganguly, Business Analyst, Scope Infotech, Inc.; Kishan Patel Business Analyst, Scope Infotech, Inc.; Briana Barnes, Project Coordinator, Scope Infotech, Inc.
Date: Tuesday, July 30
Time: 12:00 pm EDT
Fee: Free to ElevatingHome, VNAA, and Alliance for Home Health Quality Improvement members
Representatives from the EMDI Initiative team will discuss interoperability using health IT standards, including Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). Participants will learn about pilot opportunities with CMS to enhance provider workflow using three critical use cases. Participants will:
Learning Series Webinar: Million Hearts®2022 & Related Medicare-Covered Preventive Services
CMS National Training Program
Date: February 14, 2019
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 EST
Fee: FREE
This webinar provides an overview of:
Security Risk Assessment Tool Overview and User Feedback Session
Presented by: CMS
Date: Wednesday July 17
Time: 1:00 pm EDT
Fee: Free
ONC and the HHS Office for Civil Rights are holding a training session and overview of the Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool. The tool is designed to assist small to medium providers in conducting an internal security risk assessment. This assessment will aid providers with their security risk analysis as required by the HIPAA Security Rule and the CMS EHR Incentive program. Following the webinar, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Register
PDGM’s Behavioral Adjustments - What You Need to Know Now
Sponsored by eSolutions
Featuring: Karri Wright, Sr. Director, Product Management at Homecare Homebase
Date: Thursday, August 29
Time: 2:00 pm CDT
Fee: FreeThe webinar covers:
- CMS assumptions and intended adjustments and their impact on:
- Upcoding
- Comorbidities
- LUPA Avoidance
- Considerations for HHAs
- Evaluating your HHA data now to assess tomorrow based on today’s reality
A QUALITY JOB: Clinical Management & Care Coordination Under PDGM
Hosted by VNAA
Sponsored by MatrixCare/Brightree
Presented by Simione Healthcare ConsultantsFeaturing: Laura Wilson, RN, BSN, Sr. Manager, Simione Healthcare Consultants
Date: Wednesday, September 11
Time: 12:00 pm EDT
Free Registration
PDGM is so much more than a billing change! Home health agencies preparing for payment reform need to look closely at clinical operations to make accommodations that will uphold quality, including care alternatives that add value to the equation. In this webinar, we’ll share insights based on the findings of gap analyses to help your organization make a successful transition under the new requirements. Recommended Attendees: Clinical Managers, Intake Staff, Coders / QA, Finance & Billing personnel Hosted by VNAA, sponsored by MatrixCare/Brightree, presented by Simione Healthcare Consultants
Hospice compliance 2019: confronting a surprising new survey focus
Sponsored by: Wellsky
Featuring: Robert Markette, esq.
Date: March 14
Time: Noon CDT
Fee: None
Hospice providers today are confronting a new and unexpected survey focus. Hospice surveyors are increasingly focused on issues relating to hospice administration. This administrative focus includes topics such as your hospice’s corporate structure, the relationship between your hospice’s parent office and its multiple locations, and the role and job title of your administrator. Hospice providers who have been successfully operating for years are suddenly finding themselves hit with condition level citations. How will your hospice team adapt to the major survey focus of 2019? Join renowned hospice attorney Robert W. Markette of Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C. for an exclusive webinar that will prepare you and your team for the major survey focus of 2019.
Information and registration
Attend and learn:
Why a poorly drafted organizational chart can be a significant problem for your hospice
What hospice surveyors are looking for in the relationship between your hospice’s parent office and its multiple locations
Why calling your administrator something other than “administrator” could be a survey issue
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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