Volume 10, Number 44 — April  14, 2021



Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

Did you get to see "Hamilton" before Broadway went dark, or perhaps the televised version? One of the show's memorable numbers was called "My Shot." You can see where this is leading, right? One of the most notable things about "Hamilton" is that its cast was dominated by persons of color, particularly African Americans. One of the demographic groups that report they are most suspicious of COVID-19 vaccines is African Americans. Our lead story this week is about a campaign by the National Minority Health Association to encourage vaccinations. They produced a music video with new lyrics to "My Shot." It is cleverly done. You will enjoy reading Executive Director Burgess Harrison's article about the campaign, "NMHA Launches PSA to Increase Vaccine Confidence."

 

 

We have run a number of articles about cyber security recently, and how it has gotten worse with so many employees working from home. Now, staff writer Darcey Trescone has found research on COVID-related scams that will affect your patients and elderly clients more than your business. Opportunists have come after those billions of COVID relief funds with a vengeance. Learn about the warning you should relay to your staff, your patients, your clients, and their families in "COVID-19 Fraud Cases Over $569 Million."

As the pandemic grew and shut down so many hospital procedures, doctor office appointments, and in-home visits, CMS bent over backward to encourage the use of telehealth...to an extent. Guest author Bill Paschall, VP of Business Development for Vivify Health, shared with us his powerful opinion piece on the senselessness of continuing to withhold reimbursement for telehealth from home health providers. Asserting "HHAs have a huge responsibility for keeping the sickest among us as healthy as they can be so they can avoid costly inpatient stays and emergency department visits, helping bring down the cost of care for all of us." He goes on to ask, "why would CMS not want to pay for a solution that helps them perform this mission more efficiently and effectively?" He makes a lot of sense while accusing the CMS policy of not making sense at all. See "Let's Get Telehealth Reimbursement for Home Healthcare Agencies Un-stuck."

 

 

On the subject of telehealth, take a look at the comprehensive study conducted by "Older Adults Technology Services" and the Humana Foundation. It explains the lack of broadband access in much of the senior community. We summarize it and provide a link to the entire report in "Study Exposes Hidden Connectivity Crisis for Older Adults."

This week's Vendor Watch column is about two kinds of promotions at GrandPad. One is a longtime staffer elevated to the position of "Chief Growth Officer." The other is a $100 giveaway for new subscriptions completed by Mother's Day. The Minnetonka, MN company also announced it has reached the homes of 1 million seniors.

 

 

Worth the Trip

"Rethinking the Purpose and Meaning of Leadership" is a free webinar presented by PR Week on April 21. Set for 10:00 am PST, it will feature Noah Keteylan, Senior VP, Corporate Reputation and Brand Purpose, WE Communications; Kona Barrasso, WE's SVP of Technology & Culture and Belonging; and Burghardt Tenderich, PhD, Associate Director, USC Center for Public Relations, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

"Tech Titans Join Forces to Tackle Post Acute Care Challenges" will be presented by KanTime on April 23. Scroll down for details and a link to registration.

Live and in-person conferences return this summer, starting with the Utah state association, May 18-19. Homecare 100 will be on Marco Island Beach Resort, June 27-30, and the NAHC Financial Managers meeting is set for Chicago, August 1-3. It will be good to see everyone again.

Have a great week. Keep making a difference!

Editor signature
Tim Rowan



National Minority Health Association Launches PSA to Increase Vaccine Confidence
One of the most powerful songs from the hit musical Hamilton, "Not Throwing Away My Shot," has been repurposed into a video production encouraging COVID vaccinations.

Let's Get Telehealth Reimbursement for Home Healthcare Agencies Un-stuck
While Home Health Agencies save Medicare and Medicaid millions or dollars by monitoring patients via telehealth, CMS continues to refuse to reimburse virtual visits except for physicians. Guest author Bill Paschall makes a strong argument why it is time for this refusal to end.

COVID-19 Fraud Cases Over $569 Million
Wherever there is government money, there will be fraud. Share these warnings with your staff, your patients and clients, and their families. The elderly are prime targets.

Study Exposes Hidden Connectivity Crisis for Older Adults
Study finds seniors are behind in access to broadband, putting remote patient monitoring services at a disadvantage.

GrandPad Reaches 1 Million Seniors, Promotes Growth Officer
Julie Ament Gran to move from vice president of member experience and partner relations to Chief Growth Officer.



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 41,327,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible.

 

Last Week's Most-Read Stories:

Vendor Watch
— AlayaCare Announces New SVP Engineering
— Complia Health Appoints Industry Veteran Rich Berner as CEO

Futuristic Microphone System Makes Remote Meetings More Productive
"Erika" is the evolutionary invention that will make lavaliere microphones and speakerphones obsolete in company meetings with remote attendees.




Upcoming Events

FREE WEBINAR: Tech Titans Join Forces to Tackle Post Acute Care Challenges

Sponsored by: KanTime

Featuring: Terra Vicario (Moderator) CMO, Viventium; Malka Trump, Director of Compliance, Viventium; Kristen Duell, EVP, KanTime; Kim Spence, RN, Customer Success Division Leader, KanTime; James Cohen, CEO & Co-Founder, Nevvon

Date: Thursday, April 22

Time: 11:00 am PDT, 2:00 pm EDT

Register

2021, in many ways, is a continuation of challenges from 2020 and more! During this webinar, experts from companies with solutions for talent/retention and compliance issues, along with the continued challenges that COVID-19 has presented to our industry, will cover rules, regulations, and programs you need to stay on top of so your company can thrive amidst the pandemic.

2021 Home Care and Hospice Conference and Expo *

National Association for Home Care and Hospice

Date: October 3-5
Venue: New Orleans

Sadly, this conference has had to be postponed, due to the hurricane in New Orleans and COVID situation in Louisiana.


FREE WEBINAR: Targeted Probe & Educate: Where Do You Stand?

Presented by: Healthcare Synergy
Featuring:
Michael Tidd, COS-C, HCS-D, HealthCare Synergy Clinical Manager

Date: Wednesday, November 3
Time: 11:00 am PDT / 2:00 pm EDT

Register

Overview:
Targeted Probe and Educate is a CMS initiative to seek a better understanding of agencies practices in order to protect the Medicare funds. Agencies self-identify themselves and request reviews by their actions and the data they provide to CMS. Are you aware of the signals you might be sending and how to protect yourself?
Objectives:
Speaker:
Michael Tidd has over 19 years of experience in the Home Care Industry and is a frequent speaker at HealthCare Synergy Workshops and Webinars. He is a Software Developer, LVN and Certified in ICD-9/10 Coding and OASIS (COS-C, HCS-D). As the Clinical Manager for HealthCare Synergy, he directs the Outsourced Management Services, assists in directing the development of the Healthcare Assistant Web Edition, oversees the Clinical Documentation Auditing provided to clients and directs the Clinical Form Development for the Healthcare Assistant Web Edition. Michael continues to educate agencies in the ongoing regulations that CMS produces, the proper application of the Medicare Conditions of Participation and completing timely, accurate and defendable clinical documentation to survive in the current Medicare Reimbursement Model.

FREE WEBINAR: Admit more Patients & Stop Nursing Burnout!

Presented by: OperaCare

Date: November 10

Time: 1:00 pm EST; 10:00 PST

Information and Registration

The nursing shortage is getting much worse and will most likely impact your business if it has not already.
During this event we will demonstrate how to complete an entire OASIS in approx. 60 minutes or less. This includes ICD-10 coding, entry and revision of medication’s, all the OASIS items, and Quality Assurance while the nurse is with the patient in the home.

The result: Eliminating 100% of after-hours documentation, increasing clinical productivity, and reducing your labor costs.

The Benefit: The ability to significantly increase your recruitment and retention efforts by providing your clinicians with a sane and humane work life balance.


Important Final Rule Discoveries Every Agency Needs to Know: Examining HH PPS for CY2022

Presented by: HealthRevPartners

Featuring: John Reisinger, CPA

DATE: November 18

TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 EST

VENUE: Online

FEE: NONE

Register Here

One of the major changes in CMS’ final rule for the Home Health Prospective Payment System announced is this — ???2022 will be a "pre-implementation year for the HHVBP, which was originally scheduled to begin in January.

Learn exactly what you need to do in 2022 for HHVBP.

Additionally, we will cover these final rule changes and more:

And, do you know how much your Medicare revenues are projected to change?

There will be a 3.2% increase ($570 million) in home health spending for CY2022.

 


*The Rowan Report will see you there.

FREE WEBINAR: New, Science-Based Methodology Reduces Cost of Recruitment and Retention

Presented by: The Rowan Report

Featuring: Eric Becker, CEO, MiliMatch

Date: Thursday, March 18

Time: 3:00 pm EST; Noon PST

Recorded version available.

 

Agenda:

Every time a home care agency hires and trains a new caregiver, it invests about $4,500, which is wasted if that new hire does not work out, often before working a first shift. MiliMatch CEO Eric Becker will explain the company's patented product/service, based on the science of Applied Cognitive Linguistics, which has been proven to help home care agencies avoid those costly bad hires.


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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