Volume 12, Number 36 — September 13, 2023
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
We returned from our Labor Day break and were inundated with news to report. This week's edition is a little full, but that means there should be something for everyone. Scroll down to the headlines, pick the ones that jump out at you, and enjoy. As always, let us know what you think about this free service, supported by our sponsors. And do not forget that all of our news items since 2005 are archived. From our home page at homecaretechreport.com, use the "Search For" tool to find articles on specific topics. Or, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click a date to see a complete newsletter, including this "Dear Colleague" letter, from the last two years. Here is your quick rundown of this week's news.
We go deeper into our interview with NAHC President Bill Dombi about proposed pay rate cuts. He explained to us how CMS based so-called 2021 "overpayments" on a flawed set of assumptions and, essentially, bad math. To read the most detailed response to CMS's draconian cuts, be sure to see what the consulting division at WellSky submitted, under the leadership of our friends Cynthia Campbell and Tim Ashe.
Should insurance companies own Home Healthcare agencies? This week's announcement about Option Care giving way to UnitedHealth Group's Optum Division puts the Amedisys acquisition in the hands of the FTC and a shareholder lawsuit.
Guest author and home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue analyzes the government's accusation that a home care organization that acquires a residential facility does so only for the purpose of gaining referrals. In this case, both the agency and facility had delivered all the care in their claims, but the claims were flagged as false because of the relationship between the two entities. Confused yet? Ms. Hogue explains it better. We also attached official statements from both companies.
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In this week's installment of her series on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Home Care, Heather Thompson offers a practical application: AI as a boost to a company's marketing and branding efforts. In an article she asked us to characterize as "co-written by me and ChatGPT," she offers concrete, actionable strategies to strengthen your company's message.
Will we be seeing you next month at the NAHC Annual Meeting, "One Voice, Many Stories?" Scroll down to our "Upcoming Events" section for information about this year's October 15-17 event. The following week, look for us at HCAOA in Chicago, where we will be talking with providers and vendors about the latest news in the "Family Funded" home care arena. We are getting used to setting aside the old "Private Duty" moniker. You will find information there about upcoming events in Texas and North Carolina as well.
Should Insurance Companies Own Home Healthcare Agencies?
UnitedHealth Group, in response to the growing need for home care services, acquired LHC Group earlier and is now in merger talks with Amedisys, one of the largest providers of home healthcare in the country. Should health insurance companies really be controlling care now too?
Recent Case Demonstrates Pitfalls of Getting Referrals From ALFs/ILFs
Home care attorney Elizabeth Hogue uses a recent case to describe one of the more serious speedbumps on the road to gathering referrals.
CMS Proposes Drastic 2024 Payment Model Reduction
The National Association of Home Care and Hospice issued a 36-page response the proposed CMS payment cuts for 2024, which threaten to close up to 50% of home care agencies.
SNFs Forced to Hire More Caregivers
If a home care agency is having difficulty hiring enough caregivers, would it help if government payers ordered you to hire more? It is happening in SNFs. Home Care could be next.
The Agency of the Future: Can Generative AI Reduce Your Marketing Budget?
Heather Thompson takes us through rebranding with Generative AI...But there's a twist: ChatGPT is her co-author! This week's Agency of the Future column shows how you can use AI to reduce your marketing budget while maintaining the human connection.
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Executives for Health Innovation Absorbed into ATA
News release from the American Telemedicine Association explains how they plan to keep alive the legacy of the defunct "Executives for Health Innovation."
Experience All of Our "Meet the CEO" Video Interviews
If you have a new hire, especially new to Home Health, share this article with them. My interviews with tech vendor CEOs and with Lindsay Doak, lead researcher for the "National Healthcare at Home Best Practices Study by Berry Dunn," will give them valuable background and insights into our constantly evolving healthcare sector.
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During the 3rd Quarter of 2023, web sites of the above advertisers were visited by home care and hospice executives and staff 11531 times. To inquire about placing your message here, contact: Kristin@rowanresources.com As of this date, approximately 51,029,000 Baby Boomers have become Medicare eligible. |
Last Week's Most-Read Stories:
EEOC Sues Licensed Home Care Agency for Discrimination
Breaking News: CMS Amplifies Measures Against Hospice Fraud
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Home and Community-Based Palliative Care: Past, Present, and Future
NAHC and HHFMASeptember 28, 2023
2023 NAHC Annual Meeting & Exposition *
"One Voice, Many Stories"
October 15-17
Gaylord Hotel and Conference Center
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
2023 National Home Care Conference*
Home Care Association of AmericaOctober 23-24, 2023
Hilton Chicago
Chicago, IL
Vision – Plan – Succeed: 2023 Leadership Conference
Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
October 29-31, 2023
Renaissance Hotel Ashville, NCFeatured speakers:
Bill Dombi, Melinda Gaboury, Tim Rogers, Nick Seabrook, Mark Sharp, Robert Markette, Mark Kulik, and more.
Ignite Your Revenue Engine - Virtual
HomeCareSales
November 1-3, 2023
Strategic Analysis and Provider Guidance
CMS CY2024 Final Rule Cuts to Home Health
Axxess
November 9, 2023
2 PM CST
Unlocking Home Care Agency Efficiency with AI
Virtual Workshop
Automation Edge
Nov 8, 2023
11 a.m. CST
Home Health Final Rule: Clinical & Financial Strategies for Success in 2024
McBee Associates
Nov 8, 2023
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Automating Your Compliance Process in Home Care
AxisCare and CareAcademy
Nov 8. 2023
12 p.m. CT
Virtual
Call for Speaker Proposals
Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina (AHHC) Annual Convention and Expo
April 7-10, 2024
Raleigh Convention CenterThe deadline to submit a proposal is November 15, 2023.
2023 Annual Conference – Hybrid Hospice & Palliative Care
Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State
November 13-14, 2023
Albany Marriott Hotel
Albany, NY
Understanding the CY 2024 Home Health Final Rule:
Your agency's path forward
WellSky
Nov 15, 2023
Presented by Cindy Campbell, MHA-Healthcare Informatics, BSN, RN, COQS, CHHCM
12 p.m. CST
Request for Speakers: 2024 Annual Conference
Indiana Association for Home Health Care
April 16-17, 2024
The deadline to submit proposals is November 17, 2023.
2023 Virtual Annual Conference
Virginia Association for Homecare and HospiceOpening Date:November 15
Rapid Competency and Quality Improvement Training
CMS
November 30, 2023
1:00 p.m. EST
Safety Matters:
Protecting Home Care Workers from ViolenceNational Association for Home Care and Hospice
Nov 29, 2023
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. EST
Safety Matters: Protecting Home Care Workers from Violence
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
Nov 29, 2023
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EST
Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Developing resilience in the face of change
McBee
Dec 6, 2023
1:00 p.m. EST
CRM Showcase:Empowering Reps for Smarter, More Efficient Growth
Trella Health
December 12, 2023
12 p.m. EST
Don't be Late for Section GGPrepare now for the new Discharge Function Score
NetSmart
Dec 12, 2023
2:00 p.m. EST
CRM Showcase: Empowering Reps for Smarter, More Efficient Growth
Trella Health
Dec 12, 2023
12 p.m. EST
Excavate-Tell-Affirm
Brand Leadership Summit
Revealing Genius
Dec 7-15, 2023
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST
RCM Success Toolkit:
Insights for RCM Leaders
NetSmart
December 14, 2023
2:00 p.m. EST
Understanding, Identifying, and Overcoming Conscious and Unconscious Bias
Home Care Pulse
Ongoing
FREE Sample Course
Home Health and Hospice Summit
HealthCare Synergy
January 10, 2024
Renaissance Hotel
Long Beach, CA
Home Care 100*
Lincoln Intelligence Group
January 21-24, 2024
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, AZ
AGILE: Axxess Growth, Innovation and Leadership Experience*
Axxess
April 21-24, 2024
Irving Convention Center
Dallas, TX
Annual Conference & Trade Show
Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association
May 8-9, 2024
Radisson of Kalamazoo
2024 KHCA Annual Conference
Kentucky Home Care Association
August 14-15, 2024
Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington/UK Coldstream
Lexington, KY
Insight2024
6th Annual Forum on Coding, OASIS & Quality
McBee
Aug 5-7, 2024
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center
Overland Park, Kansas
Agency Amplify
HomeCareSales
Recurring
2nd Tuesday
*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
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