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 1st Quarter of 2023, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 4163 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

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

Information and Registration


2022 NAHC Financial Management Conference & Exposition *

Date: July 24-26
Venue: Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas

Information and Registration

 

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

Information and Registration

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.

MHCA 52nd Annual Meeting & Expo

Sponsored by: Minnesota Home Care Association

Date: October 12-14
Venue: Breezy Point Resort
City: Breezy Point, MN

Information and Registration

2022 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *

"Connection 4.0: Linkup"

Date: October 23-25
Venue: America's Center Convention Complex
Location: St. Louis, MO

Information and Registration

This 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 Care

Date: November 3
Venue: CNM Workforce Training Center
City: Albuquerque

Information and Registration

Featuring:


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.


 

First Joint Conference of the Carolinas

Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina & South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association

Dates: April 23-26

Venue: Westin

City: Charlotte

Information and Registration 



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.


2023 Annual Home Health & Hospice Conference
Homecare and Hospice Association of Utah

Date: May 10-11

City: Sandy

Attendee Registration

Exhibitor/Sponsor Registration


2023 Rocky Mountain Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Conference *Presented by: Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado

Dates: May 18-19
Venue: Beaver Creek


Information and Registration for Attendees and Exhibitors


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:



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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