Volume 11, Number 22 — October 12, 2022
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
What are your thoughts about a national healthcare directory? On October 5, CMS released a Request for Information seeking public input on the concept of CMS creating a directory with information on health care providers, to be known as the "National Directory of Healthcare Providers and Services." Read about it here and let us know what you think. Better yet, let CMS know.
I just posted Episode Four of my series of video interviews with Lindsay Doak, lead researcher for Berry Dunn, about their National Healthcare at Home Best Practices Survey. In this one, Lindsay discusses survey findings that are of interest to Home Care providers as well as Home Health Agencies. Links to all four episodes, plus information about our "Meet the CEO" video interview series, are available under the headline below, "Complete List of 'Meet the CEO' Video Episodes."
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Ever since the dawn of PPS, Home Health providers have cut back on adding aide services to persons with chronic conditions that could be helped by non-medical care between nursing visits. Now, after 20 years, some Medicare beneficiaries with MS and ALS are crying foul. Together with national organizations dedicated to their conditions, three individuals have filed a complaint in advance of a class-action lawsuit against CMS. We studied the language of the complaint and spoke to some attorneys and bring you a plain-English version of their complaint and its implications. See "HHS Secretary & CMS Sued by Medicare Beneficiaries," below.
Speaking of lawsuits, another one may help providers who have contracts with Medicare Advantage plans. Kaiser Health News itself has sued CMS to force them to release audits they regularly perform on MA risk assessments, the claims of the severity of their covered lives which determines how much Medicare underwrites their businesses. KHN cites some estimates that there have been tens of billions in overpayments to these insurance companies. See "KHN Lawsuit May Force Publication of MA Fraud," below.
Private Duty agencies rely on the data gathered and published by PHI, a research agency for healthcare employers. Their new resource details 10 practical steps to implement a "care integration" advanced role in a home care setting — and improve recruitment and retention in a struggling job sector. Click on "Private Duty News: PHI Releases Guide for Home Care Employers," below.
In this week's Vendor Watch column, the headline implies that the story is only about a tech company getting another round of investment. Read further, though. If you have patients suffering from chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, and other mobility impairments, the Cionic Neural Sleeve may change their lives. Be sure to read all the way down to the testimonies from patients who use the sleeve and can walk again.
Also in the Vendor Watch category, read about Homecare Homebase teaming up with WorldView to streamline client workflow.
The NAHC 2022 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo starts next week in St. Louis. Live and in person! I am looking forward to finally seeing you in the flesh and catching up with news from around the country.
Immediately after the NAHC meeting wraps up, I have been invited to join longtime newsletter sponsor AlayaCare at their user group conference. If you are planning to attend, I hope to meet you there. I have a lot to share about my two-year study of technologies to help with recruiting and retention of caregiving staff.
I will be delivering an address about that exact topic, recruiting and retention technologies, at the New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care annual conference on November 3. I always enjoy catching up with the great providers in my neighbor state.
Have a great week. Keep making a difference!
HHS Secretary & CMS Sued by Medicare Beneficiaries
Will a complaint of inadequate care delivery result in more reimbursement for long-term Home Health Aide services?
KHN Lawsuit May Force Publication of MA Fraud
Millions in Medicare Advantage overcharges, once kept secret, will be released by CMS after successful Kaiser Health News suit.
Private Duty News: PHI Releases Guide for Home Care Employers
A new resource details 10 practical steps to implement a "care integration" advanced role in a home care setting — and improve recruitment and retention in a struggling job sector.
Homecare Homebase & WorldView Launch New Collaboration
Integration with enterprise content management solution partner will enhance client efficiency through streamlined workflows and customized automation.
Vendor Watch
San Francisco-based CIONIC makes an FDA-approved wearable leg sleeve that utilizes Functional Electrical Stimulation to help people with mobility issues.
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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 47,333,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Product Review: New AI Tool Turns Good Coders into Great Coders; Eliminates ADRs
RPM Expert Suggests Changing Definition of RPM
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2022 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *
"Connection 4.0: Linkup"
Date: October 23-25
Venue: America's Center Convention Complex
Location: St. Louis, MOThis 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 CareDate: November 3
Venue: CNM Workforce Training Center
City: AlbuquerqueFeaturing:
- Lisa McClammy on "Navigating the New World of Home Health Value-Based Purchasing"
- Petria McKelvey on "Medicare Advantage & Third Party Payers: How to Get Paid!"
- Tim Rowan on "Technologies to Improve Staff Recruiting & Retention"
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
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 ExpositionDates: April 9-10
Venue: NIU Naperville
FREE WEBINAR: CMS’ Proposed Hospice FY2024 Payment Rule: Implications for Agencies and the Hospice Community
Sponsored by NAHC
Featuring: Theresa Forster, Katie WehriDate: April 11
Details and Registration
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 EDT
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
Encore date: April 13
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 EDT
On-demand recording available 24/7
Option to purchase recording and handoutsInformation 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.
- What must providers do when reviews show deficiencies in documentation?
- When and how can providers amend or supplement records prior to submission to auditors?
- Should providers send summaries to auditors along with patient records?
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
Rise Above!
Michigan Home Care & Hospice Association Annual Conference
Dates: May 3-5
Venue: Grand Traverse Resort & SpaThe 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 UtahDate: May 10-11
City: Sandy
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
Home Care Innovation Forum*Presented by: The Influence Group
Dates: June 4-6
Venue: Park Hyatt Aviara
City: Carlsbad, CAFeatured Speakers:
- Mark King, CEO, Taco Bell
- Darryl "DMC" McDaniels
- David Causby, President & CEO, Gentiva
- Susan Benoit, CEO & President, CenterWell Home Health
- Bruce Greenstein, EVP, LHC Group
- Bill Dombi, President, NAHC
Partial list of topics:
- AI-enabled Remote Patient Monitoring
- Recruitment/Retention strategies
- AI and Automation for Better Hiring
- Developing an Effective MA Strategy
- The Future of Telehealth
- Taking on Risk
HI2: Home Care Innovation and Investment Conference *Presented by: Lincoln Healthcare Leadership
Dates: June 12-14
Venue: Swissotel
City: ChicagoFeatured Speakers:
- Vin Gupta, CMO, Amazon
- Patrick Conway, MD, CEO, Care Solutions
- Kevin Ban, MD, Global CMO, Walgreens
- Andy Slavitt, Founder, Town Hall Ventures, former CMS Administrator
leading ONE vision
Homecare Homebase User Group Meeting
Dates: June 12-14
Venue: Sheraton Dallas HotelClinical 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:
- Mark Scharenbroich: Award Winning Author, Emmy Award® Winner for an ABC TV special, National Speakers Association Hall of Fame Inductee, Golden Apple and Silver Screen Film award for his movie, "The Greatest Days of Your Life…(so far)," International film festival award winner.
- David Glickman: David has been a professional speaker and entertainer for over twenty years and has presented over 2000 programs. Before transitioning from "show business" to "speech business," he worked with everyone from Steve Martin to Ellen DeGeneres and performed at private parties for singer Gloria Estefan and former President Jimmy Carter. He also appeared on "Evening At The Improv" and several other national television shows.
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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