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."
 |  |  |
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.
 |  |  |
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.
|
During the 1st Quarter of 2022, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 5167 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?
|
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: 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.
*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."
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 24-25
Venue: Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas
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
Did you receive this issue as a forward from a colleague? Would you like to have your own free subscription? Click here.
Home Care Technology Report is published by Rowan Consulting Associations, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. Request reprint permission by writing to editor@homecaretechreport.com.
HCTR is free to subscribers and supported by its generous advertisers. To inquire about presenting your message to our 12,000 subscribers, write to Kristin in our ad sales department, Kristin@RowanResources.com.