Volume 10, Number 44 — December 15, 2021
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
You still have time to weigh in on our national EVV Satisfaction Survey. We will keep it open for another week and have the results analyzed for publication in early January. We are doing this to help you determine whether you are alone in your opinions about EVV mandates and the way in which states have implemented them, as well as to initiate a national dialog on the subject. The information you generate will be especially important as EVV requirements expand to include Medicare providers. The survey is open to both healthcare providers and EVV tech companies and aggregators. Please share this link with your entire staff and ask them to set aside five minutes today to have their voices heard. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QKGTQNB
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As the portion of the HRSA grant known as "Flex For Checks" reaches its goal of getting thousands of home care workers and their patients vaccinated, they asked us to thank every executive who registered their agency to participate in the grant, as well as every in-home caregiver who got their shots and signed up their patients and clients to do the same. There may be a few grant dollars left. Click the link above to get the latest report from their web site.
Flex For Checks paid home care workers $25 for every shot they registered and paid $50 for every shot received, both by clients and workers themselves. Agencies also received $25 per shot registered through their participant ID number. One enthusiastic vaccination advocate got a check for $25,000 for her efforts to spread the word around her Florida community. (See our September interview with Thelma.) If you did not participate, keep an eye on the court cases that continue to toss vaccine mandates for healthcare workers back and forth like a ping pong ball. When it is all settled, chances are good that one regulatory body or another will find a way to solve the problem of 30 percent of healthcare workers still remaining unvaccinated.
Regarding the hidden consequences of remaining unvaccinated, scroll down to see this week's reprint of a report by insurance industry veteran Wendell Potter about the growing number of health insurers ending their practice of waving deductibles and co-pays for COVID care.
We heard a startling statistic this week. 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. Accessibility remodeling costs approximately $4,400 per house, reduces the number of falls, and saves payers so much it should be eligible for a tax rebate, just like solar panels and electric cars. Be sure to read staff writer Darcey Trescone's insightful interview with Louis Tenenbaum, contractor, home modification advocate, and founder of The HomesRenewed™ Coalition.
Speaking of advocacy for keeping seniors at home, NAHC sent us an update on their ongoing effort, with the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, to gather support for the Choose Home Care Act of 2021 (S. 2562/H.R. 1544). Bill Dombi mentioned that it may come up again as part of another bill as early as February, so it is important to contact your representatives and Senators now and remind them that extending the home care benefit will save more than it costs.
More imminently, the return of the 2 percent sequestration cut to all federal budgets has been delayed again, and there is a strong possibility that across-the-board Medicare reimbursement cuts set to take effect next month will also be canceled, or at least postponed. A bill to stop the cuts passed the House and is coming up for a vote in the Senate soon. Read about the details by scrolling down and clicking on "NAHC Bullish on Medicare Payment Bill."
Have you registered for next February's Home Care 100 yet? Here is the link to join us in Scottsdale, February 6-9. Home Care providers should also take note of a NAHC gathering dedicated to your sector. The "Private Duty Leadership Summit" will take place February 22-24 on Hilton Head Island
Lastly, keep an eye on Aveanna Healthcare. They announced yet another acquisition this week. Scroll down to read their news release.
Have a great week and a love-filled Christmas and Holiday Season. We will all be with family too. Except for our traditional "Most-Read Stories of the Year" edition between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and barring any breaking news that can't wait, we will see you again in 2022. Keep making a difference all year, as you have done so well in 2021!
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.
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Covid Treatment are on the Rise
Insurance industry watcher Wendell Potter identifies another reason to protect yourself from COVID-19: treatment will soon become extremely expensive.
After Accredited, Aveanna Acquires Another Agency Already
Comfort Care, of Alabama and Tennessee, is Atlanta company's second acquisition this month.
NAHC Bullish on Medicare Payment Bill
Medicare payment cuts to providers likely to be delayed.
Global Report on Remote Patient Monitoring Set for March Release
Signify Research pre-announced the release of a major study of the use and effectiveness of telehealth around the globe.
Vendor Watch
— Rainbow Health enhances its care coordination functionality.
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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 44,022,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
AlayaCare/Delta Announcement Inspires Memory Lane Trip
Aveanna Healthcare Acquires Accredited Home Care
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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.
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.
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.
2032 NAHC Financial Management Conference & Exposition
Date: July 16-18
Venue: Hilton Riverside, New Orleans
In addition to NAHC president Bill Dombi, featured speakers will include:
- Brent Korte, CEO, Frontpoint Healthcare
- Dexter Braff, MBA
- Jennifer Sheets, RN
- Mike Dordick
- Susan Benoit
- Zac Long, JD, MHA
- Melinda Gaboury, COS-C
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
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
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 HHFMASeptember 28, 2023
2023 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *
"One Voice, Many Stories"
October 15-17
Gaylord Hotel and Conference Center
National Harbor, MDKeynote Speakers:
- Ben Nemtin, New York Times bestselling author of "What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?"
- Summer Napier, NAHC Director of Grassroots Advocacy
- Bill Dombi, NAHC President
2023 National Home Care Conference*
Home Care Association of AmericaOctober 23-24, 2023
Hilton Chicago
Chicago, IL
Vision – Plan – Succeed: 2023 Leadership Conference
Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
October 29-31, 2023
Renaissance Hotel Ashville, NCFeatured 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
Strategic Analysis and Provider Guidance
CMS CY2024 Final Rule Cuts to Home Health
Axxess
November 9, 2023
2 PM CST
Unlocking Home Care Agency Efficiency with AI
Virtual Workshop
Automation Edge
Nov 8, 2023
11 a.m. CST
Home Health Final Rule: Clinical & Financial Strategies for Success in 2024
McBee Associates
Nov 8, 2023
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Automating Your Compliance Process in Home Care
AxisCare and CareAcademy
Nov 8. 2023
12 p.m. CT
Virtual
2023 Annual Conference – Hybrid Hospice & Palliative Care
Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State
November 13-14, 2023
Albany Marriott Hotel
Albany, NY
Call for Speaker Proposals
Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) Annual Convention and Expo
April 7-10, 2024
Raleigh Convention CenterThe 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
Presented by Cindy Campbell, MHA-Healthcare Informatics, BSN, RN, COQS, CHHCM
12 p.m. CST
Request for Speakers: 2024 Annual Conference
Indiana Association for Home Health Care
April 16-17, 2024
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
2023 Virtual Annual Conference
Virginia Association for Homecare and HospiceOpening Date:November 15
Rapid Competency and Quality Improvement Training
CMS
November 30, 2023
1:00 p.m. EST
Safety Matters:
Protecting Home Care Workers from ViolenceNational Association for Home Care and Hospice
Nov 29, 2023
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. EST
Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Developing resilience in the face of change
McBee
Dec 6, 2023
1:00 p.m. EST
CRM Showcase:Empowering Reps for Smarter, More Efficient Growth
Trella Health
December 12, 2023
12 p.m. EST
Don't be Late for Section GGPrepare now for the new Discharge Function Score
NetSmart
Dec 12, 2023
2:00 p.m. EST
CRM Showcase: Empowering Reps for Smarter, More Efficient Growth
Trella Health
Dec 12, 2023
12 p.m. EST
Excavate-Tell-Affirm
Brand Leadership Summit
Revealing Genius
Dec 7-15, 2023
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST
RCM Success Toolkit:
Insights for RCM Leaders
NetSmart
December 14, 2023
2:00 p.m. EST
Understanding, Identifying, and Overcoming Conscious and Unconscious Bias
Home Care Pulse
Ongoing
FREE Sample Course
Home Health and Hospice Summit
HealthCare Synergy
January 10, 2024
Renaissance Hotel
Long Beach, CA
Home Care 100*
Lincoln Intelligence Group
January 21-24, 2024
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, AZ
AGILE: Axxess Growth, Innovation and Leadership Experience*
Axxess
April 21-24, 2024
Irving Convention Center
Dallas, TX
Annual Conference & Trade Show
Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association
May 8-9, 2024
Radisson of Kalamazoo
2024 KHCA Annual Conference
Kentucky Home Care Association
August 14-15, 2024
Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington/UK Coldstream
Lexington, KY
Insight2024
6th Annual Forum on Coding, OASIS & Quality
McBee
Aug 5-7, 2024
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center
Overland Park, Kansas
Agency Amplify
HomeCareSales
Recurring
2nd Tuesday
*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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