Volume 10, Number 44 — February 10, 2021
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
What keeps you awake nights? Every agency owner I speak with tells me their most vexing challenge is finding enough qualified caregivers and clinicians to meet the demand of an aging population. Solutions from experts range from "treat them really well" to "pay them more." Both work to an extent. Treating everyone like the professionals they are is doable, but where do you get the money to pay them more? How do you know if a new hire is cut out for home care or not before you invest in their training?
I have been told by reliable analysts that it costs about $4,500 to recruit, interview, hire, and train a new caregiver. I have been told by agency owners that this investment is all too frequently squandered on new hires who go through orientation and training and then have a change of heart, to put it politely, and never accept a shift.
That is where you get the money to sweeten your hourly rate! Simply stop throwing $4500 down a bottomless pit. "How?" you ask. "Isn't it a numbers game? Don't you have to hire as many as you can, in hopes of retaining a few?" Well, sure, that works...if you have unlimited funds. If you don't, there may be a better way.
For the past few weeks, I have been telling you about a new technology I discovered that has, in early pilot demonstrations, drastically reduced the number of home care agency "bad hires." With each costing $4,500, you can calculate for yourself how much you might save in a year. Now I am pleased to introduce you to the CEO of this new company. Please join me on Thursday, February 18, at 3:00 Eastern Time for a live webinar with Eric Becker, CEO and co-founder of MiliMatch.
The company's patented product is based on the science of Applied Cognitive Linguistics, and it will astound you with what it can tell you about a potential employee from a few written sentences. Eric will explain how it works far better than I can. To register for this free webinar click here: "New, Science-Based Methodology Reduces Cost of Recruitment and Retention."
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If cyber security is not the second thing that keeps you awake at night, it should be. We did a survey of reports from security firms that counted attacks in the past year. They all agree on two things. The first year of the pandemic, with millions of people working from vulnerable home networks, became an international playground for hackers. Secondly, healthcare organizations were targeted more than any other business sector. One German court went so far as to charge one hospital ransomware attacker with murder. We also found some advice on the 10 things your IT experts can do to protect your business.
We profile Micky Tripathi, new head of the Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT. Darcey Trescone also analyzes for you two of his first missives: instructions for state Medicaid offices about focusing on Social Dimensions of Health, and a new Interoperability Standards Advisory.
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Please scroll down beyond this week's headlines to see a list of upcoming conferences and webinars. I'll point out one. Ankota CEO Ken Accardi included me in his podcast series, "Home Care Heroes." Don't worry, I used the time to talk about you Private Duty folks as heroes, not myself. It turned into an interesting conversation at any rate. You can find it here: Ankota presents Home Care Heroes.
Lastly, don't forget that my own CEO interview series remains available. Next up will be our friends from Savii. Past video and audio interviews can be found here.
Have a safe and healthy week. Keep making a difference!
Multiple Experts Identify Cybersecurity One of "Key Threats of the Next Decade"
Healthcare providers have been the victim of 12% of cyber attacks, more than any other business sector. Is Post-Acute Care taking it seriously?
Learn These Ten Cyber Security Skills to Protect Your Agency
Become a more effective HIT security support team by teaching cyber safety to entire staff.
How to Avoid False Claims Based on Homebound Status
Payment denials and takebacks are rarely based on bad care; almost always on bad documentation. Home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue offers guidance on how to make sure a homebound patient appears homebound on paper.
CMS Urges State Agencies to Incorporate Social Determinants of Health
New directive describes conditions for receiving federal matching funds.
2021 ISA Reference Edition Now Available
New ONC chief issues Interoperability Standards Advisory for 2021.
Who Is Micky Tripathi, New ONC National Coordinator?
New ONC coordinator is highly qualified, highly respected by peers.
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During the 4th Quarter of 2022, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 6586 times. To inquire about placing your message here, contact: Kristin@rowanresources.com As of this date, approximately 40,634,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Four Home Care Agencies Solve Expensive "Bad Hire" Problem
What is the Patient Activation Measure?
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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,
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: 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.
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.
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.
*The Rowan Report will see you there.
2022 Rocky Mountain Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Conference *Presented by: Home Care Association of Colorado
Dates: May 5-6
Venue: Keystone Resort & Conference Center, Keystone, CO
FREE WEBINAR: Combat the Great Resignation and Reduce Employee Turnover by 40%
Presented by: National Minority Health Association
Date: Tuesday, May 24
Time: 10:00 AM Pacific; 1:00 PM Eastern
Information and Registration
Agenda
As organizations plan for the future, they must cultivate a happier, healthier workforce. Most CEOs, CFOs, HR professionals, and other business leaders are eager to know the true impact of financial wellness. We are gathering to discuss and explore how prioritizing employee financial wellness can help increase caregiver retention and productivity at no cost to your businesses.
Gulf Coast Regional Conference & Exposition
Presented by: Home Care Associations of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
Date: July 18-20
Venue: Grand Hotel Marriott Resort
Location: Point Clear, Alabama
2022 NAHC Financial Management Conference & Exposition *
Date: July 24-26
Venue: Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas
Register for the in-person conference - starting at $750 for NAHC members or $1,025 for non-members - or for the digital only content - $400 for members and $600 for non-members. If you register for the in-person conference, you'll get access to all of the digital content.
2022 ONC Virtual Tech Forum
Sponsored by: Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT
Location: Online
Dates: September 9, 16, and 23
ONC has posted the high-level agenda and opened up registration for the 2022 ONC Virtual Tech Forum on HealthIT.gov. This year's event takes place during three consecutive Fridays in September (9th, 16th, 23rd). As in years past, the Tech Forum will feature industry perspectives on the progress made in health IT over the past year, and highlight how we can continue to advance health technology to improve patient care, health equity, data exchange, and interoperability.
ARE YOU READY?
2022 Leadership Conference: Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
Dates: September 25-27
Venue: Hotel Ballast
City: Wilmington
Register: ahhcconferences.com
20 educational sessions led by top industry experts, 30+ high caliber speakers, and over 40 exhibitors, including NAHC's Bill Dombi; David Rendall, Author; NC DHHS's Debra C. Farrington, MSW, LCSW; AHHC of NC Staff and Lobbyists; experts from ACHC; CHAP; Axxess; Wellsky; FORVIS; KATANA Safety; Cone Health; Delta Care Rx; The Joint Commission; Well Care Health; SembraCare, Inc.; SimiTree; LTSS Consulting, Inc.; Healthcare Provider Solutions; CareXM; 3HC and more!
MHCA 52nd Annual Meeting & Expo
Sponsored by: Minnesota Home Care Association
Date: October 12-14
Information and Registration
Venue: Breezy Point Resort
City: Breezy Point, MN
2022 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *
"Connection 4.0: Linkup"
Date: October 23-25
Venue: America's Center Convention Complex
Location: St. Louis, MOThis year, we want to celebrate one of the most meaningful touchstones of our industry — connection. At the Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo, we'll explore ideas around connection and community to help attendees reach their stakeholders in authentic and meaningful ways.
New technology, workforce developments, and the importance of high standards in quality care continue to push our community of clinicians and providers to revamp their strategies and skill sets. This event is the meeting point for you to uncover groundbreaking ideas, discover new interests, and network with industry pros.
Meet us in St. Louis, Missouri, once known as the "Gateway to the West." So, it is perfectly centered to make those connections even easier for members and attendees from all ends of the U.S. We look forward to linking up with you this October!
2022 Annual Conference
New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice CareDate: November 3
Venue: CNM Workforce Training Center
City: AlbuquerqueFeaturing:
- Lisa McClammy on "Navigating the New World of Home Health Value-Based Purchasing"
- Petria McKelvey on "Medicare Advantage & Third Party Payers: How to Get Paid!"
- Tim Rowan on "Technologies to Improve Staff Recruiting & Retention"
20th Annual Northeast Home Health Leadership Summit
Sponsored by: State Associations of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (HCA), New York (HCP), Rhode Island, VNAs of Vermont
Dates: January 17-19
Venue: Revere Hotel, Boston
FREE WEBINAR: NAHC President Bill Dombi Shares 2023 Industry Outlook
Hosted by Mike Dordick, Netsmart
Date: January 18
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 EST
Details and Registration(Unable to attend? Register anyway to receive the recording.)
Discussion Topics:
- What is changing from a policy and regulatory perspective?
- When to anticipate relief for labor pressures
- What areas to focus on in the new year
Homecare 100 *
Presented by: Lincoln Healthcare Leadership
Date: January 22-25, 2023
Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Grande Lakes, FL
Registration Information
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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