Volume 11, Number 22 — January  5, 2022



Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

Here we go! The new year that everyone hopes will surpass the last two in revenue, glowing online reviews, and filling vacant positions. Here at The Rowan Report, we will do what we can to help, continuing our 23-year mission to explain new technologies and unpack the impact of regulations. Our lineup of experts remains ready to help, and, Wow, have we needed their help already this year. Read on to see how much news crossed our desk just this week.

Topping that list is a report that my state, Colorado, is leveraging COVID relief funds to help Medicaid providers boost caregiver pay to $15 per hour. Have you heard anything similar in your state?

Worth the Trip 

The first two big events of the new year come up in February. I will be going to Homecare 100 in Scottsdale, will you? Lincoln Health tells me there are only a few seats left. If you have been considering it, now is the time. Click on the banner ad above, or the display ad on this page to register. The second February event is the Private Duty Leadership Summit hosted by NAHC at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island Hotel, February 22-24.

 

 

We also want to remind you that we always encourage guest authors. In fact, we introduce one this week. Rosemary Kennedy, PhD, RN, explains "How Connected Care Technology Can Help with the Caregiver Shortage." If you too have an expertise to share, a story to tell, or a comment on one of our stories, send a letter to editor@homecaretechreport.com. If you have a 500- to 800-word product review or other experience with a technology company, submit your article to the same address. The same goes for an experience you would like to share with our readers about an outcome, successful or unsuccessful, with a MAC, ZPIC, or other regulatory agency.

Speaking of interactions with MACs, have you mastered the switch from RAPs to NOAs yet? Staff writer Darcey Trescone took a close look at the challenges many HHAs are facing, with the help of experts at BKD. She was surprised to discover that EMR failures cause most of the reported problems. Medicare HHAs should begin this week's issue with Darcey's excellent analysis, "Notice of Admission (NOA) Poses Industry Challenges."

 

 

This Week's Biggest News

The pace of mergers and acquisitions picked up in 2022 right where it left off in 2021, perhaps even accelerated a little. We found three major examples already this week. Be sure to read our lead story, "Homecare Homebase to Acquire CellTrak." Then scroll down to "Trella Health Acquires PlayMaker Health." Then see our story about Addus acquiring its Chicago-area neighbor, JourneyCare.

CMS Gets Serious About Vaccination...For Some

In its December 28 document raising 100% vaccination compliance for all home healthcare workers to the level of a Condition of Participation, CMS inexpli cably designated half of U.S. states as exempt from the rule. No explanation, merely a list of states where surveyors have been instructed to keep hands off. We asked our legal experts and found out why, politics.

 

 

Are any of your patients or clients diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma, the disease caused by extended exposure to asbestos? If so, we found two helpful resources. Asbestos.com, an Orlando non-profit sponsored by a number of law firms, is a web site with a wealth of basic information on the disease and links to services. MesotheliomaHope is another free service clinicians might find useful. It has helped connect victims with resources for over 20 years.

Have a great week, and a prosperous, peaceful year. Keep making a difference in 2022! 

Editor signature
Tim Rowan



Homecare Homebase to Acquire CellTrak
Longtime collaborators to unite. CellTrak to become wholly owned subsidiary.

CMS Raises Vaccination Compliance to Condition of Participation
Achieve 100% Vaccination or Lose Your HHA, CMS Warns:
"Facilities that do not meet these parameters could be subject to additional enforcement actions depending on the severity of the deficiency and the type of facility (e.g., plans of correction, termination)."

Notice of Admission (NOA) Poses Industry Challenges
You have established new, NOA processes to replace your RAP procedures. But is your EMR helping or hindering your ability to meet the 5-day limit? Many HHAs are doing everything right and still getting it wrong. Why?

How Connected Care Tech Can Help with the Caregiver Shortage
Guest author Rosemary Kennedy, PhD, RN, takes a deep dive into the relationship between caregiver recruiting/retention and improving communications among clinicians, families, and patients.

Trella Health Acquires PlayMaker
Former competitors saw potential synergies by joining forces.

Addus Expands into Hospice & Palliative Through Acquisition
$765 million provider has acquired Chicago-area neighbor agency JourneyCare.



During the 3rd Quarter of 2023, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 11531 times.

To inquire about placing your message here, contact:

Kristin@rowanresources.com

As of this date, approximately 44,253,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible.

 

Last Week's Most-Read Stories:

AlayaCare/Delta Announcement Inspires Memory Lane Trip
Last week's acquisition announcement centered on the future, but Keith Crownover's 40 years at Delta cannot be allowed to end quietly. Editor Tim Rowan shares some personal memories.

Aging in Place With Home Modifications
Almost one-third of Americans over age 65 fall each year, with one-third of those falls requiring medical treatment at an estimated price tag of $30,000 per hospital stay. Medicare and Medicaid shoulder 75% of those costs. Accessibility remodeling, costing approximately $4,400 per house, could reduce the number of falls by 20% for those over 65 and 40% for those over 75.




Upcoming Events

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

 

Information and Registration


Homecare 100 *

Presented by: Lincoln Healthcare Leadership

Date: January 22-25, 2023
Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Grande Lakes, FL

Registration Information


 

Shine Your Light
Illinois HomeCare & Hospice Council Annual Meeting and Exposition

Dates: April 9-10
Venue: NIU Naperville

Information and Registration


FREE WEBINAR: CMS’ Proposed Hospice FY2024 Payment Rule: Implications for Agencies and the Hospice Community

Sponsored by NAHC
Featuring: Theresa Forster, Katie Wehri

Date: April 11
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 EDT

Details and Registration

 

Description: In addition to routine annual payment changes, CMS proposed FY2024 Hospice Payment Rule, issued on March 31, contains valuable updates on the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). Perhaps most notable, the rule's deep dive into utilization trends signals an intensified interest in hospice care patterns, potentially inappropriate behavior in the hospice sector, and program integrity concerns.  Join two of NAHC's hospice experts as they detail proposed changes, including a new requirement that hospice certifying physicians be Medicare enrolled (or to have validly opted-out) and CMS' Requests for Information on hospice utilization and health equity, and examine their potential impact on hospice practice going forward.

Faculty: Theresa M. Forster, NAHC VP for Hospice Policy & Programs
Katie Wehri, NAHC Director of Home Health & Hospice Regulatory Affairs


WEBINAR: Audits: What to Do

A 90-minute Lunch & Learn Audio Conference by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq. Health Care Attorney

Date: Thursday, April 6
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 EDT

Encore date: April 13
On-demand recording available 24/7
Option to purchase recording and handouts

 

Information and Registration

 

Audio-Conference Description: Home care providers of all types; including home health agencies, private duty agencies, hospices and HME companies; remain targets of audits by various regulators, including but certainly not limited to United Program Integrity Contractors (UPICs). The results of these audits can be devastating because they may threaten the ability of providers to remain in business, especially when overpayments are extrapolated to millions of dollars. Audits of all types must be taken seriously and providers must take action to close audits as quickly as possible! The first thing providers must do is to review records requested by auditors.

The purpose of this teleconference is to give providers detailed steps to follow to avoid adverse consequences of audits. Examples of common issues targeted by auditors will be provided and there will be time for questions and answers.


Rise Above!

Michigan Home Care & Hospice Association Annual Conference

Dates: May 3-5
Venue: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Registration and Information

The theme for the Conference is “RISE ABOVE” a fitting recognition of the challenges our industry and each of you overcame in your personal lives and professional careers to navigate the challenges of the past three years.

The MHHA conference presents an opportunity to meet new friends and reacquaint with peers. What better place to rise above, than at the spacious and beautiful Grand Traverse Resort & Spa? This conference has a little bit for every service line and discipline. Wednesday offers a track for Volunteer Managers and Thursday offers a track for Palliative Care as well as many other sessions for Certified Home Health, Hospice, DME and Private Duty Home Care.


Home Care Innovation Forum*Presented by: The Influence Group

Dates: June 4-6
Venue: Park Hyatt Aviara 
City: 
Carlsbad, CA


Information and Registration

Featured Speakers:

Partial list of topics:


HI2: Home Care Innovation and Investment Conference *Presented by: Lincoln Healthcare Leadership

Dates: June 12-14
Venue: Swissotel 
City: 
Chicago


Information and Registration

Featured Speakers:


leading ONE vision

Homecare Homebase User Group Meeting

Dates: June 12-14
Venue: Sheraton Dallas Hotel

Information and Registration

Clinical Education Credits
Nationally recognized speakers, eight clinical sessions. Clinicians are encouraged to sign up for the clinical sessions, but are free to jump between clinical and non-clinical topics. Clinical topics include a homecare focus on Wound Care, Value Based Purchasing, Clinical Leadership, conflict resolution, Quality Report, Oasis and more.

Featured Speakers:


2032 NAHC Financial Management Conference & Exposition

Date: July 16-18
Venue: Hilton Riverside, New Orleans

Information and Registration

 

In addition to NAHC president Bill Dombi, featured speakers will include:


54th Annual Meeting: "Bring Care Home"Presented by: Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice

Dates: August 28-31
Venue: Grand Hyatt Riverwalk
City: San Antonio


Information and Registration


FREE Webinar: "The Role of the Hospice Physician in Organizational Compliance"Presented by: FEMA

Date: September 6

Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, EDT

Register here 

Collaborating with the Administration for Community Living, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation, and the Schoharie County, NY, Area Agency on Aging, the webinar is designed to equip organizations with strategies to ensure seamless service continuity during an emergency. 

 


 

Home and Community-Based Palliative Care: Past, Present, and Future
NAHC and HHFMA

September 28, 2023

More Information

 


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2023 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *

"One Voice, Many Stories"

October 15-17
Gaylord Hotel and Conference Center
National Harbor, MD

Information and Registration

Keynote Speakers:

 


 

2023 National Home Care Conference*
Home Care Association of America

October 23-24, 2023

Hilton Chicago
Chicago, IL

More Information

 

 


Vision – Plan – Succeed: 2023 Leadership Conference

Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina

October 29-31, 2023
Renaissance Hotel Ashville, NC

Information and Registration

Featured speakers:

Bill Dombi, Melinda Gaboury, Tim Rogers, Nick Seabrook, Mark Sharp, Robert Markette, Mark Kulik, and more.


Ignite Your Revenue Engine - Virtual

HomeCareSales

November 1-3, 2023

More Information


Strategic Analysis and Provider Guidance

CMS CY2024 Final Rule Cuts to Home Health

Axxess

November 9, 2023
2 PM CST

More Information


Unlocking Home Care Agency Efficiency with AI

Virtual Workshop

Automation Edge

Nov 8, 2023

11 a.m. CST

More Information


Home Health Final Rule: Clinical & Financial Strategies for Success in 2024

McBee Associates

Nov 8, 2023
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. EST
Virtual

More Information


Automating Your Compliance Process in Home Care

AxisCare and CareAcademy

Nov 8. 2023
12 p.m. CT
Virtual

More Information


2023 Annual Conference – Hybrid Hospice & Palliative Care

Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State

November 13-14, 2023
Albany Marriott Hotel
Albany, NY

More Information


Call for Speaker Proposals

Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) Annual Convention and Expo

April 7-10, 2024
Raleigh Convention Center

Submit Your Proposal

The deadline to submit a proposal is November 15, 2023.

 


Understanding the CY 2024 Home Health Final Rule:

Your agency's path forward

WellSky

Nov 15, 2023
12 p.m. CST

More Information

Presented by Cindy Campbell, MHA-Healthcare Informatics, BSN, RN, COQS, CHHCM

Request for Speakers: 2024 Annual Conference

Indiana Association for Home Health Care

April 16-17, 2024

More Information

The deadline to submit proposals is November 17, 2023.

Safety Matters: Protecting Home Care Workers from Violence

National Association for Home Care & Hospice

Nov 29, 2023
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EST

More Information


2023 Virtual Annual Conference
Virginia Association for Homecare and Hospice

Opening Date:November 15

More Information


Rapid Competency and Quality Improvement Training

CMS

November 30, 2023
1:00 p.m. EST

More Information


Safety Matters:
Protecting Home Care Workers from Violence

National Association for Home Care and Hospice

Nov 29, 2023
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. EST

More Information


Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Developing resilience in the face of change

McBee

Dec 6, 2023
1:00 p.m. EST

More Information


CRM Showcase:Empowering Reps for Smarter, More Efficient Growth

Trella Health

December 12, 2023
12 p.m. EST

More Information


Don't be Late for Section GGPrepare now for the new Discharge Function Score

NetSmart

Dec 12, 2023
2:00 p.m. EST

More Information


CRM Showcase: Empowering Reps for Smarter, More Efficient Growth

Trella Health

Dec 12, 2023
12 p.m. EST

More Information


Excavate-Tell-Affirm

Brand Leadership Summit

Revealing Genius

Dec 7-15, 2023
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST

More Information


RCM Success Toolkit:

Insights for RCM Leaders

NetSmart

December 14, 2023
2:00 p.m. EST

More Information


Understanding, Identifying, and Overcoming Conscious and Unconscious Bias

Home Care Pulse

Ongoing
FREE Sample Course

More Information


Home Health and Hospice Summit

HealthCare Synergy

January 10, 2024
Renaissance Hotel
Long Beach, CA

More Information


Home Care 100*

Lincoln Intelligence Group

January 21-24, 2024
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, AZ

More Information


AGILE: Axxess Growth, Innovation and Leadership Experience*

Axxess

April 21-24, 2024
Irving Convention Center
Dallas, TX

More Information


Annual Conference & Trade Show

Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association

May 8-9, 2024
Radisson of Kalamazoo

More Information


2024 KHCA Annual Conference

Kentucky Home Care Association

August 14-15, 2024
Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington/UK Coldstream
Lexington, KY

More Information


Insight2024

6th Annual Forum on Coding, OASIS & Quality

McBee

Aug 5-7, 2024
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center
Overland Park, Kansas

More Information


Agency Amplify

HomeCareSales

Recurring
2nd Tuesday

More Information


*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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