Volume 8, Number 43 — February 20, 2019
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This special edition marks two anniversaries. I hope you might indulge me while I look back on my 20 years as editor of Home Care Technology Report. Even if you have been around as long as I have, there may be some history you did not know.
Anniversary #1: 20 years of home health, home care and hospice news
HCTR was originally a print publication called Home Care Automation Report. Founded in 1995 by United Communications Group, today known as Decision Health, HCAR was a companion to their primary publication, ...home health line. When UCG discontinued HCAR in December, 1998, one of their occasional authors, nationally-known home care technology expert Tom Williams, acquired it. Tom had come to national prominence in the early 90's as the VP of a Medicare Regional Home Health Intermediary in Milwaukee.
I met Tom in June of 1998 when we were both speaking at a UCG seminar. One month later, when my IT Director position at a Colorado agency fell victim to the IPS disaster, UCG invited me to try my hand as a reporter. By December, Tom had become familiar with my writing. As soon as he took over as publisher, he took a big risk and asked me to be his editor and primary writer. After some strategy meetings in Port Washington, Wisconsin in January, we released our first issue together. It was dated February, 1999.
Under Tom's ownership, HCAR evolved from a mailed, monthly print publication to a PDF in magazine format delivered by email to what it is today, a fully electronic weekly newsletter with full-length articles posted on a web site accompanied by headlines with summaries emailed to subscribers. When we went electronic in 2005, Tom also converted HCAR from subscriber-supported to today's free, advertiser-supported format.
For 10 years, I was essentially Tom Williams' apprentice. A renowned story-teller, he tutored me with tales of his first-hand experiences of the history of our industry, his battles against fraudulent providers as the head of an RHHI, and some eye-opening, insider secrets about its tech vendors and trade associations. We began to be frequent speakers at national and state association conferences; we organized tech vendors into a professional trade association; and, with help from software developer Tom Theimer, we expanded into online training services as the "Home Care Information Network."
Two events helped me understand who Tom Williams was. One day, as we walked out of the Milwaukee airport, he encountered an old friend, a single mother he had hired at Blue Cross when no one else would, giving her a chance to move from welfare to work and on to a college degree. After a big hug and brief chat, he introduced me to his former employee, "Tim, this is Congresswoman Gwen Moore, the representative for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district."
The other happened at my first NAHC meeting in October, 1999. Frustrated with the small turnout that final year of IPS, three leading software company owners approached our booth, shook a finger at Tom, and proclaimed, "We've had it. We want a meeting of all the vendors and we want you to call the meeting because if you call it, they will all come." The following month, 12 CEOs showed up in Chicago, vented their grievances, formulated a plan, and the Homecare Information Technology Council was born. HITC published magazines and educational CDs, represented the vendor community with a common voice, and created the "CEO School," a longtime fixture on the morning before the NAHC Annual Meeting. It was HITC that inspired NAHC founding president Val Halamandaris to create the Home Care Technology Association of America.
Anniversary #2:
On January 9, 2009, Tom was taken from us, without any previous diagnosis or symptoms, by an apparent heart attack. He was 59 years old. Exactly ten years after our initial strategy meetings, and ten years ago last month, I again found myself flying to Milwaukee.
For 10 years we've been on our own
Devastated, Tom's widow and I, assisted by the rest of the team — Michael Siegel, Tom Theimer, Randy Weisheit, and my son, Jeremy, the HCIN videographer — tried to keep things going but Tom's wife was an elementary school teacher and deeply grieving. When we realized she did not have the desire or the time to run Tom's company, Theimer and Weisheit took over HCIN and I purchased the rights to HCAR. Siegel found a home at Simione Consulting until he retired. Jeremy took his video skills to Relias Learning, stayed a few years, and then took a hard right turn into the outdoors as owner of Outlaw Jeep Adventures in Moab, Utah.
Now we are in June, 2009. As owner, editor, publisher, and principle writer, I set out to keep HCAR going by myself. I was humbled and gratified to see the sponsors sticking with me, assuring me I could step into Tom's shoes and that HCAR was worth the effort. By July, to make it more my own, I made a slight change to the newsletter's name and updated its look and feel. That summer, Home Care Technology Report debuted with my name on it in thousands of inboxes. Over the years, most people began to refer to it as The Rowan Report. We gave in and are starting to use that name more often.
That brings us to today, the 20th anniversary of my tenure at Home Care Technology Report and the 10th anniversary of the passing of my friend and mentor, and the one responsible for launching this second career of mine. I still relish the responsibility of finding valuable news for you every week and, though I cannot promise you another ten years, I do promise that, when the time comes, I will hand the keyboard over to someone with the expertise and integrity to carry on, perhaps improve on, the tradition Tom and I began 20 years ago today.
I'll close with a hearty thanks to all 13,000 subscribers who read our words every week and to the sponsors that make it all possible. Here are some of my favorite stories from the last 20 years:
December 7 Tribute: From War Hero to Father to Home Health Patient (12/7/2011)
It Is Time for CMS to Figure Out the Difference Between Typos and Crimes (3/18/2015)
Reflections on A Sad Visit to Wisconsin (1/21/2009)
Friends and Colleagues Offer Their Memories of Tom Williams (1/14/2009)
Editor's Comments on the Occasion of the Passing of NAHC President Val Halamandaris (8/2/2017)
Private Duty Home Care Suffers From Extreme Competition (11/15/2017)
Editor's Reflections on 20 Years of Home Care Tech Report
Editor Tim Rowan recounts the origin story of Home Care Technology: The Rowan Report
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During the 3rd Quarter of 2020, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 3691 times. To inquire about placing your message here, contact: Kristin@rowanresources.com As of this date, approximately 32,703,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Experts Offer PDGM Advice at Home Care 100
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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.
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.
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.
Virtual Conference: NAHC Financial Managers Annual Meeting
July 27-30
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.
PIVOT. PREPARE. PROSPER.
The 2020 Annual Conference of the Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina
September 28-30
This year's conference will be presented onlineSign up to hear presentations by:
- Arif Kamal, MD, MBA, MHS, Medical Oncologist, Palliative Medicine Specialist, Physician Quality and Outcomes Officer for the Duke Cancer Institute
- Bill Dombi, President, National Association for Home Care & Hospice
- Edo Banach, President/CEO, National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
- Vicki, Hoak, Executive Director, Home Care Association of America (HCAOA)
- Tim Rogers, President/CEO, Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina and South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association
- Josh Stein, North Carolina Attorney General
- Tracy Colvard, VP of Government Relations & Public Policy, AHHC of NC
- Julia Adams-Scheurich, Owner, Oak City Government Relations, Lobbyist, AHHC of NC
- Matt Wolfe, Partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, Legal Counsel & Lobbyist, AHHC of NC
FREE WEBINAR: The Family Caregiver Speaks Up! *
Sponsored by: Citus Health
Moderator: Tim Rowan
Panelists:Date: October 8
Time: 2:00 pm EDT
Free Webinar: Preparation For A New Normal — Infection Control
Presented by: Savii
Featuring: James Cohen, CEO, Nevvon
Date: October 20
Time: 1:00 EDT
Fee: FreeThis webinar is catered to home care agency owners, HR, operations, nursing and marketers.
You will learn:
- How infection control will change home care
- What we learned from COVID-19
- How to increase your census
Virtual Conference: Southwest Homecare and Hospice
A collaborative online conference by the home care associations of:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- and the Arizona Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Date: November 18-19
Experience recognized experts and thought leaders as they share their insights, actionable strategies, and relevant tools and resources.
*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.
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:
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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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.
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