Volume 11, Number 22 — July  20, 2022



Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,

Two major news items this week. One of interest to non-medical Personal Care providers, the other to Medicare Skilled Nursing agencies. We also feature a CEO interview with information for all providers as well as three important news releases in our "Vendor Watch" column.

2023 CMS REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

The 2023 proposed payment scheme has been released by CMS and there is precious little good news to report. All state and national associations are urging you to submit comments, reminding CMS that your efforts REDUCE their overall healthcare costs and putting hundreds of you out of business will lead to a net increase in what they pay to all Medicare providers. In today's edition, we summarize the major points in the proposed rule and give you instructions on how to submit your comments online or by mail.

 

TWO AI TOOLS TO COORDINATE CARE

It seems as though every week a news release involving artificial intelligence crosses our desk. Once regarded as too futuristic for in-home care, AI is rapidly providing insights and efficiencies not previously available from traditional data analysis. We interviewed two CEO founders this week with innovative care coordination platforms, one aimed at Home Care, the other at the previously empty spaces between every care provider touching every patient.

Home Care Quote expands the familiar intake questionnaire into an intelligent tool that offers care plan suggestions and an hourly rate quote customized to the exact level of personal assistance, homemaking, and other non-medical care a prospective new client needs. 

Dina is a care coordination platform likened to an air traffic control tower. It facilitates data exchange among all providers, from nurses to physicians to DME providers to meal delivery services, allowing them to work together as though they were under one roof. It also gathers data from every one of them and presents it in an actionable format to reduce hospital admissions.

In this week's Vendor Watch column, we introduce a company that has reduced the price of its basic Agency Management Software system to zero and a bionic mobility device company that has engaged a fashion designed to enhance its line of wearables.

 

Worth the Trip

Everyone in post-acute IT, plus everyone with an appreciation for technology in Home Health and Home Care needs to put Lincoln Health Leadership's new technology conference on their calendar. "Home Care Tech Expo" will have its debut September 6-8 at the beautiful Gaylord in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington DC. Scroll down for registration information. I hope to see you there.

"Are You Ready?" is the title of this year's Annual Meeting of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina. Long regarded as one of the best state conferences of the year, this one promises to be special. Among the over 20 guest speakers will be Bill Dombi; David Rendall, Author; NC DHHS's Debra C. Farrington, MSW, LCSW; AHHC of NC Staff and Lobbyists; experts from ACHC; CHAP; Axxess; WellSky; FORVIS; KATANA Safety; Cone Health; Delta Care Rx; The Joint Commission; Well Care Health; SembraCare, Inc.; SimiTree; LTSS Consulting, Inc.; Healthcare Provider Solutions; CareXM; 3HC and more! Scroll down for registration information.

The Home Care Association of America hopes to get beyond its pandemic-delayed schedule and gather in Orlando, September 18-19 for its Annual Leadership Conference for private duty providers. hcaoa.org

If I miss you at the NAHC Financial Managers meeting in Las Vegas this week, or in Maryland or Orlando in September, I hope we can all catch up at the NAHC Annual Meeting and Expo, "Connection 4.0: Linkup." After two postponements due to Covid and hurricanes, this year's meeting is definitely on for October 23-25 in St. Louis. Scroll down for details and registration information.

Have a great week. Keep making a difference!

 

Editor signature
Tim Rowan



Thousands of Comments Needed to CMS Proposed 2023 Payment Schedule
Once again, MedPAC and CMS demonstrate they do not believe in-home care reduces overall costs. Proposed cuts will put many HHAs out of business, raising Medicare's hospital and SNF costs, harming patients.

Why Do All Clients Pay the Same Rate for Different Levels of Care?
We took a close look at "HomeCareQuote," a new tech company, founded by Home Care veterans, that has developed AI software to customize care -- and hourly rates -- for each home care client.

Interoperability Goes Mainstream with Dina's Care Coordination Platform
We interviewed Dina CEO Ashish Shah to learn about AI-assisted care coordination to reduce hospital admissions and lower costs.

Vendor Watch
— Careswitch to give away Agency Management Software
— Wearable clothing firm engages clothing designer to add class to bionics
— ONC releases Interoperability



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 46,409,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible.

 

Last Week's Most-Read Stories:

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

Direct Care Workers in the United States: Key Facts
PHI's most recent study of the in-home, direct care profession does not bode well for agency recruiting hopes.




Upcoming Events

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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