Volume 11, Number 22 — May  11, 2022



Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

Recruiting and retention of caregivers and nurses continues to be our industry's number one challenge. During my presentation last week to the Home Care Association of Colorado's annual meeting, every hand went up when I asked who was struggling to find and keep staff and who had ever turned business away because of it. I offered the attendees several technology companies with solutions geared toward identifying and hiring the kind of applicants most likely to turn into long-term employees, and keeping them onboard after you hire them.

More importantly, we talked about two ways to attack the problem. Hiring more good caregivers and keeping them happy to work for you is the obvious effort, but designing operations in such a way that you can care for your patients and clients with fewer caregivers approaches the problem from the opposite direction and can be just as effective.

I offered two technology companies that take the latter approach. One of them happens to be my guest in the latest episode of my video series "Meet the CEO." I spent a few minutes chatting with Michael Gelman, President of Care Connect and asked him about his company's workforce management app. When you watch the video, look for his strategy to lure caregivers to your shifts over those of the three other agencies they work for. Note: scroll down to "Upcoming Events" to register for a related webinar offered by the National Minority Health Association."

He found, and my Colorado audience confirmed, that non-medical caregivers typically hire on to three or more agencies. Your challenge is not so much to find and hire them but to convince them to take your shift instead of someone else's. That is where the Care Connect mobile app comes in. I'll let Mr. Gelman explain it rather than give it away here. I am sure you will learn a lot from our conversation, which can be found here.

 

 

You may also be interested in past "Meet the CEO" episodes. They continue to be available here:

Jim Bland of Seniors Home Services talks about a lineup of products and services that become revenue generators for agencies.

Ashley Wharton and Jenna Schwartz of Savii discusses the state of the Private Duty industry. (Since this was recorded, Wharton remains at Savii as CTO, but Savii has brought on David Birnbaum as CEO. David has had deep experience as Sales VP for both HHAeXchange and Sandata. We will bring you more about his plans for product evolution in coming issues.)

Adrian Schauer of AlayaCare told us about the Canadian company's growth into the U.S. market and aggressive acquisition plans.

Tony Ott and Keith Crownover, in one of their last interviews before selling Delta Health Technologies to AlayaCare, shared their take on the future of home health, hospice, and home care.

Navin Gupta of MatrixCare talked with us about the future of post-acute care following the COVID-19 pandemic

 


You Need This Data

We spoke with Jennifer Schiller, Executive Director of the Research Institute for Home Care, about the decision to move to that name from Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation. The new name, she told us, better reflects the organization's mission to support research and publish reports to help providers better understand their environment. Read the official news release and a separate article with the highlights of our interview with Ms. Shiller by clicking below. We have included a complete rundown of all the free services from the Institute.

Worth the Trip

The National Minority Health Association will present a free webinar titled "Combat the great resignation and reduce employee turnover by 40%" on May 24 at noon Central Daylight Time. Scroll down to read about and register for this useful presentation, and to see other upcoming events that have been brought to our attention.

Have a great week. Keep making a difference!

Editor signature
Tim Rowan



Name Change for National Association
Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation adopts new name: "Research Institute for Home Care"

Research Institute Invites Grant Applicants
Rebranded Research Institute for Home Care offers grants, publishes useful reports, seeks members.

Celebrating Nurses for National Nurses Week
Guest author home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue departs from he usual legal analysis to offer a tribute to nurses.

Vendor Watch
— $300M Series D to fund continued growth of Biofourmis’ innovative virtual solutions
— Dr. Omar Ishrak Appointed Biofourmis Chairman



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 45,639,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible.

 

Last Week's Most-Read Stories:

Don't Blame Payers for Your Self-Inflicted Financial Woes
Former OASIS instructor and current utilization management consultant responds to our report on industry complaints about low Medicare Advantage payment rates.

Shock and Awe at Homecare 100
475 attendees too stunned to applaud.




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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