Volume 12, Number 25 — April 5, 2023
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
Thirty-seven years ago, my brother was diagnosed with Ataxia, a rare disorder my family and I had never heard of. Last week, I accompanied him to the annual convention of the National Ataxia Foundation. To put it mildly, I was astounded. Not only have most civilians never heard of Ataxia, but the theme of this year's gathering, the 66th annual gathering no less, was what a shame it is that Ataxia patients have to teach their doctors and nurses about their condition!
I have done my best to synthesize the firehose of data I learned in only three days into a digestible article but, even though I have not covered everything I learned, my report is still a bit longer than is our customary word limit. Nevertheless, I urge you to give it a read because you who care for people in their homes, all of you, nurses, therapists, and direct care workers, are in a unique position to observe telltale symptoms before anyone else, often even before the patients themselves.
This is important because Ataxia is so often misdiagnosed, even undiagnosed. I learned that most physicians, even many neurologists, have never heard of it and that my brother's experience was not unique. His employer saw him losing balance and slurring speech and fired him for drinking, in the morning! Many at the conference told the same story. They did not think to seek medical help until long after their symptoms became severe. Please learn about this condition. You are in the best position to help.
 |  |  |
Fraud and abuse accusations can land on your doorstep even if you have never had a single criminal intent. Guest author and home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue offers four lessons on how to respond if your honest mistakes are misinterpreted by government-contracted auditors.
Everywhere you turn today, AI is in the news, especially in healthcare. We were introduced to a movement to deploy Artificial Intelligence in mobile health devices. Applications include help with mental health, heart health, and obesity, incorporating gamification technologies into intelligent devices. Take a peek into your future with our reprint of the study by HealthTech Evangelist Merilee Kern, MBA.
Keeping with the theme of innovations, we were also introduced to "TytoCare," a virtual care company working with leading health plans and providers to roll out the Home Smart Clinic, an offering that enables accessible, high-quality primary care from home. The company recently received FDA approval for a device for wheeze detection.
The above-mentioned Elizabeth Hogue will host a 90-minute "Lunch & Learn" this Thursday, April 6, titled "Audits: What To Do."
Carolinians, do not forget to register for the very first "Joint Conference of the Carolinas." From North and South, association members and others will gather in Charlotte to learn and share experiences, and to visit what promises to be an exhibit hall of historic proportions.
NAHC is also hosting a series of webinars. The complete list is available at NAHC.ORG, and the first is coming up next Tuesday, April 11, titled "CMS' Proposed Hospice FY2024 Payment Rule: Implications for Agencies and the Hospice Community."
Scroll down for details and links to all these events.
Have a great week. Keep making a difference!
Home Health, Home Care Must Be Familiar With Rare Diseases
Our eyes were opened at last week's National Ataxia Foundation annual conference. If Ataxia is a new term to you, and if you are a nurse, physical therapist, speech therapist, or personal care attendant, you may find this information will make you a better one.
Fraud Enforcement Actions: Lessons for Providers
Guest author and home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue describes common types of violations of fraud and abuse prohibitions and how to respond.
TytoCare Receives FDA Clearance for Home Use of AI-Powered Device for Wheeze Detection
The clearance adds AI lung sound analysis algorithms to TytoCare's Home Smart Clinic solutions, based on the company's database of lung sounds, to expand acute care and chronic condition management for care of patients in their home.
Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Algorithms Accelerating Consumer mHealth Evolution
Mobile healthtech growing amid escalating use of lifestyle apps, wearables and other innovations that combine data analytics with behavioral science to better manage, and even help rectify, an array of wellness concerns.
|
During the 2nd Quarter of 2023, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 4976 times. To inquire about placing your message here, contact: Kristin@rowanresources.com As of this date, approximately 49,258,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
Medicare Advantage Is Neither Medicare Nor an Advantage
Government Lets Health Plans That Ripped Off Medicare Keep the Money
|
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.
2023 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *
"One Voice, Many Stories"
Date: October 15-17
Venue: Gaylord
Location: 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
Vision – Plan – Succeed: 2023 Leadership Conference
Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
Dates: October 29-31
Venue: Renaissance Hotel
City: Ashville
Featured speakers:Bill Dombi, Melinda Gaboury, Tim Rogers, Nick Seabrook, Mark Sharp, Robert Markette, Mark Kulik, and more.
Conference Title: 2023 Annual Hybrid Hospice & Palliative Care Conference
Sponsoring Association: Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State
Date(s): November 13-14, 2023
Hotel or Conference Center, City, State: Albany Marriott Hotel, Albany, NY
URL: www.hpcanys.org
?~Kim
Kimberly Ryan ?
Education & Membership
Hospice & Palliative Care Association of NYS (HPCANYS)
Advance Care Planning Center for Excellence
119 Washington Ave, Suite 302
Albany NY 12210
518.446.1483 x 224 |www.hpcanys.org
Call for Speaker Proposals
Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) Annual Convention and Expo
Dates: April 7-10, 2024
Venue: Raleigh Convention Center
Click this link to learn more and to submit your proposal: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6RRNNY3
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 15, 2023.
2023 Virtual Annual Conference
Virginia Association for Homecare and HospiceOpening Date: November 15
*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
Did you receive this issue as a forward from a colleague? Would you like to have your own free subscription? Click here.
Home Care Technology Report is published by Rowan Consulting Associations, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. Request reprint permission by writing to editor@homecaretechreport.com.
HCTR is free to subscribers and supported by its generous advertisers. To inquire about presenting your message to our 12,000 subscribers, write to Kristin in our ad sales department, Kristin@RowanResources.com.