Volume 9, Number 46 — August 19, 2020
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
This out-of-control pandemic poses a threat not only to your body but to your business. International cyber-criminals have quadrupled their efforts to break through your firewalls and anti-virus software. However, according to what you told us in our recent survey ("Will Working From Home Become the New Normal?"), you plan to have some staff working from their homes for the foreseeable future, perhaps permanently. Some of you mentioned that you are looking forward to reduced rent. Not so fast. Have you looked at the cost of making sure all these home networks are secure? Are you expecting your workers to pay for the security upgrades or are you taking on that responsibility?
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The growing threats to cyber security, largely a result of the pandemic, are the focus of this week's issue. Beware of the attitude, so common in our industry, "Oh, it's not going to happen to me." If you are leaning in that direction, refer back to our series of articles about a home health & hospice software vendor's recent ransomware attack. You will see, it can happen to you.
Whether you are home health, home care, hospice, or a tech company, click on each of the headlines below to read our survey of several expert viewpoints on the security risks of working from home. You will read about phishing schemes, bogus postcards in your mail, and measures you need to take.
In Other News:
In this week's Vendor Watch column, we offer the announcement of New Jersey contracting with HHAeXchange to be the state's EVV data aggregator. You will also hear about Axis Care signing of one of the nation's largest franchise home care organizations.
Worth the (Virtual) Trip
The Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina will hold its annual conference online, September 28-30. Scroll down for a link to the schedule of speakers and registration information.
Have a great week. Stay healthy and keep making a difference!
Are Your Remote Working Conditions Secure Enough?
You told our survey you are thinking of keeping some people working from home after the pandemic subsides. If so, are you ready to invest in the necessary security enhancements in every home?
Phishing Attacks Hiding in Google Cloud May Steal Microsoft Account Credentials
— Hackers are now using cloud services to catch unsuspecting users in their phishing lures.
— NGS warns of a postcard that does NOT come from them.
New COVID Evidence Changes the Way Healthcare is Delivered
Scientists finally understand the difference between aerosols and droplets. In-home caregivers need to understand as well.
Vendor Watch
— HHAeXchange Wins New Jersey Aggregator Contract
— Amada Senior Care Franchise Network Selects AxisCare for Scheduling Software
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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 38,709,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Netsmart Advancing in Hospice Sector
Will Working From Home Become the New Normal?
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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
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 2021 Home Health Final Rule
Insights to position your agency for success
Sponsored by: WellSky
Featuring: Sharon Harder, president, C3 Advisors; Jill Dyer, BSN, RN, HCS-D, HCS-O, president, JID Consulting and Coding, LLC
Date: November 18
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 ESTAttendees will learn:
- How to prepare for and implement the operational changes imposed by the final rule, including submission of no-pay RAPs within five calendar days of the start of care and changes to the types of non-physician practitioners who can order home health services
- The impact of CMS’s decision to retain the PDGM behavioral adjustment
- The status of proposed legislation aimed to allow home health agencies to bill for telehealth services during public health emergencies and how this change would affect care planning and delivery
FREE WEBINAR: CY2021 Home Health Final PPS Rule
Presented by: HealthRev Partners
Featuring: John Reisinger, CPA
Date: November 19
Time: 2:00 EST
Fee: FreeCMS released the Final Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule for CY2021, which will impact all Medicare-certified home health agencies. In this webinar, John Reisinger, CPA, will discuss the various updates and the projected impact on home health, all the way down to the agency level. He’ll review: – Significant issues and changes in the final rule – Home health payment rates – Telehealth provisions for home health – Requirements for home health infusion therapy suppliers – Preparation tips for upcoming changes
For more than 20 years, John Reisinger, CPA, Principal of Innovative Financial Solutions, has been an industry leader in education about the CMS rule-making process. His diverse background includes Medicare auditor, home health financial executive, and he currently serves as a highly in-demand home health and hospice consultant and turnaround specialist.
FREE WEBINAR: RAP Changes in 2021 – Learn and Prepare!
Sponsored by: HealthCare Synergy
Featuring: Mike Deck, Synergy EMR Project Manager
Date: Thursday, November 19
Time: 11:00 am PST / 2:00 pm EST
Information and RegistrationOverview:
CMS continues to drive new rules for home health care, and January 1, 2021 brings a change that will directly effect both your intake process and budgets.
Objectives:
- How to avoid penalties, including loss of payment for a full billing period starting on Jan 1, 2021
- What changes HealthCare Synergy has made to the software to alleviate concerns
FREE WEBINAR: Why it is All About Cash-Flow in 2021
Sponsored by: KanTime
Featuring: Kristi Bajer, RN, COSC VP clinical Operations @OperaCare, LLC; Michael McGowan, Founder, President @OperaCare,LLC
Date: November 24
Time: 1:00 EST; 10:00 PSTAGENDA:
- Quick overview of the final rule and Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) We will review everything your agency needs to know about the final rule and RCD
- Deep dive into the RAP in 2021 History and future of the RAP What you need and don’t need to file a RAP in 2021 How does the RAP penalty work? What if the RAP is late? Exceptional circumstances, Cancelled RAPs and low utilization patients How to ensure HIPPS codes for RAP and final match
- Home health cash flow in 2021 Why flying blind financially is not an option for successful agencies How RAP timing is crucial for financial management Why controlling compliance and utilization is necessary for your agency’s health How to use your OASIS as your Medicare Pre-authorization
- Learn how OperaCare Clients submit their RAPs in 4-24 hours by utilizing "Live Interactive QA."
VIRTUALLY UNSTOPPABLE
The 2020 Annual Conference of the South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association
Virtual Conference: December 9-10
This year's conference will be presented onlineKeynote Speakers:
- David Rendall, Author of "Pink Goldfish"
- Bill Dombi, President, NAHC, "The View From Washington"
*The Rowan Report will see you there.
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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