Volume 11, Number 22 — February  2, 2022



Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

The news is on the highly technical side this week, with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT sending us two detailed announcements and an EHR vendor adding a third. We balance the parts that may be most interesting to your CIO or IT Director by adding a practical analysis for home health owners and directors of nursing, plus a heartwarming story about hospice that will touch everyone, even those who do not work directly in hospice. Let me explain.

Recruiting and Retaining Nurses

Darcey Trescone's research this month took her in the direction of our primary 2022 focus, the staffing shortage. After consulting some experts and the literature on the subject, she offers a detailed summary of what people at every level of healthcare have learned about increasing RN job satisfaction. Hers will be the first headline below, "Nursing Autonomy and Shared Governance Improve Job Satisfaction."

 

 

Ready, Aim, FHIR

ONC is trying to make the complicated easier to understand and deploy. We have reprinted for you an announcement about new HL7 and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT says will help providers achieve interoperability "without special effort."

The same federal office is asking for your input about proposed Electronic Prior Authorization Standards. See our reprint of the ONC announcement. The request your feedback by March 25.

 

 

Hospice Patient Changes Driver's Life

You may have read this already, but we just had to share it with you. A story circulating on social media tells the story in first person about a taxi driver's encounter with a woman on her way to check in to a hospice house. We have long held hospice workers in high esteem. This driver, whether his story is real or apocryphal, learned why we feel that way.

 

Worth the Trip

It is still too early to tell which 2022 conferences will be in-person and which will still have to be conducted virtually, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will get to see some of you face to face this year. In the meantime, I am on my way to Homecare 100 in Scottsdale this weekend, assuming my local airport is able to plow away all this snow. I hope to see you Sunday through Wednesday.

If you missed any part of my 2021 series, "Meet the CEO," here are the YouTube links to those video interviews:

Jim Bland, Seniors Home Services, November

Ashley Wharton, Savii, March

Adrian Schauer, AlayaCare, February

Navin Gupta, MatrixCare, January

 

Have a great week. Keep making a difference!

Editor signature
Tim Rowan



Nursing Autonomy and Shared Governance Improve Job Satisfaction
The secret to retaining good nurses is not limited to paying well. Darcey Trescone outlines what the experts say about how a Professional Practice Model empowers both recruiting and retention.

ONC Seeks Public Comment on Electronic Prior Authorization Standards
ONC wants to know if providers think Prior Authorization improves or rations care.

ONC Clarifies CURES Act Language re: Easier FHIR Implementation
Using APIs "Without Special Effort"
Latest announcement from ONC for software developers gives interoperability a giant step forward with new, easier FHIR rules from ONC.

Netsmart myUnity® Achieves Industry First 100% ONC Health IT Certification
Netsmart's myUnity EHR earns ONC's Health IT certification.

You Never Know Who Might Be A Real Hospice Worker
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance. We found this story in the public domain and just had to share it with you. Is it true? Does that matter?

Vendor Watch: Telehealth News
— UCI Health Partners with Biofourmis for Hospital at Home and Post-Acute Remote Patient Monitoring



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 44,561,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible.

 

Last Week's Most-Read Stories:

EVV Survey Exposes Industry-Wide Disappointment
Our EVV survey responses were both surprising and disapointing.

EVV Survey Results: Raw Data
With fewer than 100 responses, survey results cannot strictly be considered "scientific," but we believe they are representative of the Medicaid in-home provider community.




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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