Volume 12, Number 36 — September 20, 2023
Dear Healthcare at Home Colleague,
As the healthcare worker shortage continues to threaten the quality of care we are able to provide, Home Care owners and recruiters have learned to rely on the research from PHI. After reading our summary of their latest research, you can download the entire report here. It is not all good news, but it is good news to know.
[Speaking of Home Care, what do you think of the moniker "Family-Funded Home Care" as a replacement for "Private Duty?" I heard it suggested at a recent conference, and the attendees gathered there seemed to respond positively. Is it more descriptive? Is it too many words? I would appreciate your feedback.]
Excuse the pun, but Autumn begins this week and falls are in the news, twice. We have research from the CDC about the top 10 causes of non-fatal Emergency Department visits. Accidental falls lead the list, with an occurrence rate more than three times the second-place cause. Coincidentally this month, the HHS OIG criticized Home Health agencies for failing to report more than half of the falls suffered by their patients. Scroll down to read one law firm's report on the top 10, and then guest author Elizabeth Hogue's story on the OIG complaint.
In Heather Thompson's ongoing series about AI in healthcare, she introduces us to Anthony Alcaraz, Chief AI Officer & Decision Scientist for Aldecis, and an international leader in the burgeoning AI world. His take on the impact AI will have on Business Intelligence — essentially, he says, AI will replace it — is based on extensive research.
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It is becoming more and more urgent that every single Home Health owner, executive, and employee contact their Representatives and Senators about two bills making their way through Congress. If they do not hear from us, the CMS price cuts -- 9.6% -- will take effect on January 1. NAHC estimates half of all HHAs could be forced out of business. Please start your reading this week with our CMS News column. |
One more entry from the bad news department. Microsoft revealed this week that they discovered a data breach that began in 2020. Heather summarizes that sad story for us. Scroll down to click on "Massive Microsoft Mistake."
From time to time, we like to let you know about important articles we found in other publications. This week, the topic is related to a guest author we reprinted in February. Wendell Potter often writes about the patient abuses perpetrated by his former industry, health insurance, which he left in 2008 out of utter frustration over his employer's moral offenses. That article, "Medicare Advantage is Neither Medicare Nor an Advantage," is available in our archives. Potter's latest volley against his former industry describes their upcoming effort to push more people onto Medicare Advantage in order to satisfy the insatiable hunger of Wall Street investors. Apparently, $40 billion in profits during the first half of 2023 was not enough for them. This new exposé, "After missing mid-year financial expectations, here are the ways big health insurers are going to get back into Wall Street's good graces" is available online. Potter's assessment is supported by a new OIG report. Click here to read "High Rates of Prior Authorization Denials by Some Plans and Limited State Oversight Raise Concerns About Access to Care in Medicaid Managed Care."
Scroll down to view important upcoming events, including an invitation to submit a proposal to speak at next spring's North Carolina association (AHHI) convention. Virginia will host a virtual convention in November, and, of course, we hope to see you at both NAHC and HCAOA in October.
Have a great week. Keep making a difference!
CMS News
— CALL TO ACTION: Proposed CMS Rule Would Devastate Home Health. Congress Must Hear From Us All.
— New HHS Rule Reduces Red Tape and Simplifies Medicare Savings Program Enrollment.
The Agency of the Future - "Lean Decision Intelligence" Featuring Anthony Alcaraz, Aldecis
Featuring distinguished guest author from France Anthony Alcaraz, Chief AI Officer & Decision Scientist, Aldecis, our own AI Specialist Heather Thompson dives into the evolution from Business Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence.
Accidental Falls Leading Cause of ER Visits
OIG Says Agencies Failed to Report Falls and Hospitalizations
55 percent of falls are not reported by HHAs. CMS agrees with OIG recommendations for forcing HHAs to comply.
Latest PHI Report Confirms Urgent Investment Needed in Direct Care Workforce
New research on direct care workers depicts an essential, growing workforce struggling with economic hardship.
From 2021 to 2031, the direct care workforce will have 9.3 million total job openings.
Massive Microsoft Mistake Raises Questions about AI Data Security
Microsoft's privacy breach of 38 terrabytes of customer cloud data raises new questions. It took them 3 years to discover it! Is our data safe?
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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 51,106,000 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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