SESSIONS
FEBRUARY 21st
Day 1
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
GS1: General Session: The State of the Industry 2024
Session Description: In 2023, both Home Health and Hospice had Final Rules passed that will impact their businesses and care delivery in 2024. Congress and federal agencies took numerous actions that involve federal health care programs including Medicare and Medicaid that significantly affect home care and hospice. These changes will impact quality of care standards, program integrity requirements, and payment rates in 2024 and beyond. It is essential that providers of health care at home continue to stay aware of these changes to continue to provide high quality of care, remain compliant with the myriad of participation requirements, and obtain fair reimbursement for the services rendered. This program provides the up-to-the-minute update on what Congress and federal agencies are doing affecting home care and hospice.
Speaker: Bill Dombi, President, National Association for Home Care (NAHC)
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
9:30 AM - 9:55 AM
Quick Hit Sessions
Predictive analytics & AI: the future of improved agency outcomes by WellSky
Session Description: To succeed in an increasingly value-based environment, top home health and hospice agencies must deliver smarter, more patient-centered care, powered by data. Join Phil Lehl Jr, Vice President of Sales, WellSky at the WellSky booth to learn about how innovative predictive analytics tools can empower providers to stratify patients by risk and improve patient outcomes.
Texas EVV Update by HHAeXchange
This session will include
-
Navigating EVV
-
Information + Resources
-
Best Practices
-
What We're Hearing
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
1a. Therapy Documentation
Session Description: This session will cover the various aspects of Medicare Home Health therapy documentation. Topics will include case scenarios, Medicare regulations, documentation principles and common errors related the therapy medical review.
Speaker: Charles Canaan, RN, Senior Provider Relations Consultant, Provider Outreach & Education, Palmetto GBA
Continuing Education: : 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
1c. Raising the Bar: Mastering QAPI in Your Agency
Session Description: QAPI isn't just a checkbox in compliance - it's a catalyst for improvement. This session is for ALL agencies to learn the essential components required by regulations and explore recommended practices for elevating care standards for your agency's success. QAPI processes can appear complex and overwhelming, but we will break steps down into a manageable strategy tailored to your specific needs and goals. This session is designed for agency administrators, quality coordinators, and managers who want to make their QAPI program work for them!
Speaker: Jennifer Amheiser, BSN, RN, Director of Education Services, HealthCare ConsultLink
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
1b. Mastering Hospice TPEs: Compliance and Quality Care
Session Description: This presentation delves into the world of Hospice TPEs (Additional Documentation Requests) and their critical role in hospice care compliance and quality assurance. Join us to gain a comprehensive understanding of hospice TPEs, their impact on patient care, and the strategies for efficiently managing these requests. Explore real-world examples, best practices, and expert insights to enhance your hospice agency's compliance and patient-focused care.
Speaker: Brian W Lebanion, MBA, CPC, RNC, HCS-O, HCS-D, Healthcare Consulting Manager, Wipfli
Continuing Education: : 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - Healthcare Leaders C-suite Education
1d. Are You Running Your Business or is It Running You?
Session Description: Many organizations and leaders suffer from a lack of alignment and a healthy team. Accountability seems difficult. Clear directions are misinterpreted. Everyone works harder but doesn’t seem to really be in sync. If this sounds familiar, guess what, you’re normal. Many leaders and organizations have struggled with these challenges. But they found a path and a solution. Does your flywheel drive strategic direction, decisions, and priorities? Are all your “people” issues solved? Do your employees really care about the business? Does everyone really fight for the greater good?
If you answered “not really” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. It is time to up your game and your company’s results. As thousands of business leaders have discovered, the key to continued growth, better outcomes, bigger profits, and fewer frustrations is here: managing your business so it does not manage you.
Speaker: Tom Bouwer, co-author of multiple books and Founder of EOS conference and Pinnacle Guide; Dan Willson, PT, MS President & CEO Paradigm Homecare Companies; Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, Founder, Blue Water Homecare and Hospice; Jerre van den Bent, PT Chief Executive Officer, Therapy 2000; Petria McKelvey, Chief Executive Officer, Precision Medical Billing (PMB)
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
2a. Home Health Hot Topics
Session Description: This session will cover Medicare updates, and include such topics as Home Health utilization, Review Choice Demonstration data, and Comprehensive Error Rate Testing data, and Appeal information.
Speaker: Charles Canaan, RN, Senior Provider Relations Consultant, Provider Outreach & Education, Palmetto GBA
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
2c. Growing Your Agency with RN Delegation
Session Description: In this course, Pat T. Nixon, RN -BSN, CALM – CDP, MBA will combine and explain what Texas Health and Human Services as well as the Texas Board of Nursing says about RN Delegation. She will offer a clinical explanation and strategy on how HCSSAs can safely implement RN Delegation and Health Maintenance Activities into their operations to grow their communities and allow their clients to age in place. Pat will provide guidance on many topics around clinical compliance including Medication Administration, Diabetic Care, Effective Care Coordination, Advance Directives and many other clinical topics. Bring your regs and your questions, you are sure to leave this session with new strategies to grow your community!
Speaker: Pat Nixon, RN -BSN, CALM – CDP, MBA, Owner, iNurse Delegate
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
2b. Tips for Hospice Providers: Things I Wish I’d Known
Session Description: When it comes to patients entering that last chapter of their stories, the medical side of the equation pales in comparison to the importance of a holistic, consistent, and compassionate presence on the part of the home care and hospice team. In this session, we will explore some of the hard lessons learned along the trail, sharing some clinical pearls of wisdom as well as ideas to ease transitions of care, as well as how a home health and hospice organization can build a consistent culture of exemplary care. “Parkey’s Rules” will be applied.
Speaker: J. Robert Parkey, MD MTS HMDC CMD
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - Healthcare Leaders C-suite Education
2d. Are You Running Your Business or is It Running You? (cont.)
Session Description: Many organizations and leaders suffer from a lack of alignment and a healthy team. Accountability seems difficult. Clear directions are misinterpreted. Everyone works harder but doesn’t seem to really be in sync. If this sounds familiar, guess what, you’re normal. Many leaders and organizations have struggled with these challenges. But they found a path and a solution. Does your flywheel drive strategic direction, decisions, and priorities? Are all your “people” issues solved? Do your employees really care about the business? Does everyone really fight for the greater good?
If you answered “not really” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. It is time to up your game and your company’s results. As thousands of business leaders have discovered, the key to continued growth, better outcomes, bigger profits, and fewer frustrations is here: managing your business so it does not manage you.
Speaker: Tom Bouwer, co-author of multiple books and Founder of EOS conference and Pinnacle Guide; Dan Willson, PT, MS President & CEO Paradigm Homecare Companies; Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, Founder, Blue Water Homecare and Hospice; Jerre van den Bent, PT Chief Executive Officer, Therapy 2000; Petria McKelvey, Chief Executive Officer, Precision Medical Billing (PMB)
Continuing Education: 1.00 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
General Lunch (included in registration)
Owner’s Lunch (limited to those owning 20% or more of agency
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
3a. Medicare Advantage: Digging In the Details
Session Description: Home Health providers are grappling with the shift in the Medicare eligible population into Medicare Advantage Plans (MA Plans). Providers are asking: What are the implications of current demographic trends? What operational and financial issues should providers expect as their payer mix shifts to mostly Managed Care? Being successful in this environment of these payer mix changes requires agencies to understand their costs of treating these patients and other impacts on their operations on an individual contract basis.
Speaker: Melinda Gaboury, COS-C, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
3c. Compliant Marketing Practices
Session Description: We have all heard the term “kick-back” but not many truly understand what it means. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the primary enforcer of fraud and abuse prohibitions have their eyes on the common practices in the homebased care industry. From marketing practices to the payment of incentive compensation, a lack of education can place your organization at a major risk. In this session we will take a deeper dive in to the statues that govern our marketing practices to set your organization up for success while also mitigating the risk associated with your marketing activities.
Speaker: Summer Napier MLS, BSN, RN, CEO, Healing Hands Healthcare, LLC and Ashley Cutrer LVN, CHSP, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Healing Hands Healthcare
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
3b. Harnessing Technology for Staff Retention
Session Description: In the ever-evolving landscape of post-acute healthcare, the role of care in the home is pivotal, offering personalized care to patients in the comfort of their homes. However, the industry faces a persistent challenge: the attrition of staff due to staffing instability and inadequate organizational support. This not only impacts staff morale but also has cascading effects on patient care, agency budgets, and collaborative relationships with other healthcare settings. This presentation seeks to explore innovative approaches to staff retention in agencies of all types and sizes by emphasizing the integration of technology into orientation, mentorship and training programs while aligning with adult learning principles.
Speaker: Mike Carr, Director of Training and Education, Axxess and Monika Virk, MD, Hop Into Home Care
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - Healthcare Leaders C-suite Education
3d. Leading with Resilience: Navigating Burnout in the C-suite for Peers and Employees
Session Description: “Managers tend to blame their turnover problems on everything under the sun, while ignoring the crux of the matter: people don't leave jobs; they leave managers”. Travis Bradberry
Burnout for C-suite executives presents unique challenges. This program will explore how burnout specifically manifests in the C-suite, considering factors like high-stakes decision-making and the struggle to balance personal and professional life. Participants will be taught how to recognize early signs of burnout, both in themselves, their peers and employees
.
Specific practical strategies for managing stress and workload, such as effective time management, delegation, and goal setting will be reviewed. This session also emphasizes developing a resilient mindset and enhancing emotional intelligence, which are crucial for coping with pressures and setbacks.
A supportive culture within the workplace is essential. This includes fostering a culture that prioritizes mental well-being and encourages open communication. The role of the C-suite employee in leading by example is essential. All these topics will be reviewed in an interactive fun environment to help you meet the challenges of burn out in your workplace and your own life.
Speaker: Marcylle Combs, BS, MS, RN, CHCE, President, MAC Legacy, MAC Legacy Investments and The Marcylle Combs Company
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
4a. Navigating Home Health Medical Review Requests: Challenges and Solutions
Session Description: Join us for an informative presentation on Home Health medical documentation review requests, a critical aspect of healthcare compliance and reimbursement. In this session, we will explore the intricacies of the medical review world in the context of home health services and provide valuable insights into how agencies can effectively manage and respond to them. Learn about common challenges, best practices, and strategies for improving your agency's medical documentation review process, ultimately enhancing patient care and financial sustainability.
Speaker: Brian W Lebanion, MBA, CPC, RNC, HCS-O, HCS-D, Healthcare Consulting Manager, Wipfli
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
4c. Improving Care at Home for Veterans
Session Description: There are nearly 20 million veterans in the United States. Thirty percent of those veterans have multiple chronic conditions that can be managed by the care at home industry. Almost ¼ of the deaths in the United States are veterans which means community providers can play a significant role in the treatment and education of this distinguished population. By exploring the special needs of veterans and funding sources available, organizations can create a niche market through the development of a veteran centric specialty program and improve the lives of those that have served our country and communities. This program addresses all care at home service lines and is applicable to hospice, home health, and private duty agencies.
Speaker: Zaundra Ellis, Axxess
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
4b. HQRP - Keep Your Quality Up Under the Weight of New Regs and Oversight
Session Description: This session will focus on the components of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP). Ensure you know the components of quality that your agency is judged on now and in the future. The session will focus on how you can be prepared for success by ensuring that your quality measures reflect your best outcomes, even with all of the updated hospice regulations for 2024. Don't let industry changes take you by surprise, foundational quality is your best defense against additional oversight.
Speaker: Colleen Woods, Senior Consultant and Lead Educator, JCC Consulting
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - Healthcare Leaders C-suite Education
4d. (Continued) Leading with Resilience: Navigating Burnout in the C-suite for Peers and Employees
Session Description: “Managers tend to blame their turnover problems on everything under the sun, while ignoring the crux of the matter: people don't leave jobs; they leave managers”. Travis Bradberry
Burnout for C-suite executives presents unique challenges. This program will explore how burnout specifically manifests in the C-suite, considering factors like high-stakes decision-making and the struggle to balance personal and professional life. Participants will be taught how to recognize early signs of burnout, both in themselves, their peers and employees
.
Specific practical strategies for managing stress and workload, such as effective time management, delegation, and goal setting will be reviewed. This session also emphasizes developing a resilient mindset and enhancing emotional intelligence, which are crucial for coping with pressures and setbacks.
A supportive culture within the workplace is essential. This includes fostering a culture that prioritizes mental well-being and encourages open communication. The role of the C-suite employee in leading by example is essential. All these topics will be reviewed in an interactive fun environment to help you meet the challenges of burn out in your workplace and your own life.
Speaker: Marcylle Combs, BS, MS, RN, CHCE, President, MAC Legacy, MAC Legacy Investments and The Marcylle Combs Company
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
FEBRUARY 22nd
Day 2
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
GS2. General Session: The Fundamentals of Establishing Customer Loyalty
Session Description: In busy healthcare settings, true “Customer Service” tends to go by the wayside, as we get wrapped up in day-to-day minutia. But succeeding in Home Care is about more than providing quality care and consistent staffing to your clients. To achieve the ultimate goal in Home Care, we have to treat our consumers and staff like they’re the most important people in our agency – and they are! In this session you’ll gain some new perspective on customer service as it pertains to loyalty and develop a clearer understanding of how others perceive your agency and what you can do about it.
Speaker: Candyce Slusher, LVN, Owner of SLUSHER Consulting
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
9:30 AM - 9:50 AM
Quick Hit Sessions
Predictive analytics & AI: the future of improved agency outcomes by WellSky
Session Description: To succeed in an increasingly value-based environment, top home health and hospice agencies must deliver smarter, more patient-centered care, powered by data. Join Phil Lehl Jr, Vice President of Sales, WellSky at the WellSky booth to learn about how innovative predictive analytics tools can empower providers to stratify patients by risk and improve patient outcomes.
Texas EVV Update by HHAeXchange
This session will include
-
Navigating EVV
-
Information + Resources
-
Best Practices
-
What We're Hearing
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
5a. Digesting the Alphabet Soup of Home Health Reimbursement Part 1, PDGM from Soup to Nuts
Session Description: Medicare Home Health reimbursement (PDGM)is one of the most complicated payment systems in health care delivery continuum. PDGM has been the biggest change the home health industry has experienced in 20 years. With 432 ways to be paid using Home Health Resource Groups (HHRG’s) and multiple payment determinants, it is not a wonder that owners, operators, and managers are having difficulty digesting this alphabet soup! This webinar will break PDGM down to soups and nuts so that organizations can thrive with the recommended best practices presented. By mastering PDGM, organizations are well positioned in its ability to focus on necessary changes in preparing for Value Based Purchasing (VBP). Don’t miss your chance to improve both top line and bottom-line revenue with the tips provided by our experts!
Speaker: Mike Carr, Director of Training and Education, AXXESS
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
5b. Understanding Hospice CAPs: What You Should Know!
Session Description: Every year hospice agencies must endure the task of going through their CAP calculations for their agencies. Every year certain hospices are unaware of the CAP calculations and must pay back money to CMS. We will explore the history of the hospice CAP and what is expected from your agency and what you need to understand to stay compliant with CAP rules.
Speaker: Petria McKelvey, Chief Executive Officer, Precision Medical Billing (PMB)
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
5c. Hospital at Home: An Agency Driven Model
Session Description: There has never been a more exciting or challenging time to provide care at home. With progressive changes in the acute care environment and the need to avoid unnecessary transitions in care, home care agencies will be called upon to provide ever more aggressive interventions outside the hospital. Are you prepared? Advanced care in the home requires a complete interdisciplinary approach, and administrative burdens, the need for clinical staff, and the role of a more aggressive model of medical direction will be explored. Come learn how to build an agency driven Hospital at Home program.
Speaker: Summer Napier MLS, BSN, RN, CEO, Healing Hands Healthcare, LLC and J. Robert Parkey, MD MTS HMDC
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
6a.Digesting the Alphabet Soup of Home Health Reimbursement Part 2, Satisfying Your Appetite for VBP Success
Session Description: With proposed regulatory cuts of 2.2 percent on average for 2024 and another VBP 5% of revenue at risk for outcomes with VBP, organizations must focus on operational efficiencies that will mitigate losses imposed due to the evolving reimbursement landscape. There will be winners and losers with Value Based Purchasing (VBP). With our expert tips and best practices, you will establish a clear path to VBP success.
Speaker: Mike Carr, Director of Training and Education, AXXESS
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
6b. VBID – Hospice 2024 Update
Session Description: This session will cover the details of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model – Hospice Benefit Component. Medicare Advantage (MA) has long had coverage for home health patients, but there has never been coverage for Hospice under the MA benefit until 2021 when the VBID demonstration began to include Hospice. There have been many changes to the Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAO) participating in 2024 as the demonstration has now been extended through 2030. The differences in coverage for an in-network vs. out-of-network provider will be reviewed and the allowance of MAO plans to force patients to elect IN-NETWORK ONLY. CMS requires that MAOs provide beneficiaries with broad access to the complete original Medicare hospice benefit. This webinar will cover all known aspects of the demonstration and will prepare hospices for the reality that Medicare Advantage is now in the Hospice world to stay.
Speaker: Melinda Gaboury, COS-C, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
6c. Financial Reporting for Non-Financial People
Session Description: Join us for an engaging one-hour session tailored exclusively for caregivers operating their own home care or hospice agencies. In this informative presentation, we will break down the complexities of financial statements, empowering non-financial individuals to confidently read, interpret, and set up financial documents that make sense for our unique industry. You will walk away with these key Highlights:
1. Navigating Financial Jargon: Unravel the mystery behind financial terminology as we simplify complex concepts, ensuring you grasp the essentials without drowning in industry jargon.
2. Understanding the Basics: Learn the fundamental components of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets and other KPIs. Discover how each element contributes to the overall financial health of your agency.
3. Setting Up User-Friendly Statements: Explore practical strategies for organizing and presenting financial information in a way that is clear, concise, and accessible to non-financial professionals. Gain insights into formatting and structuring statements for maximum comprehension.
4. Financial Health Indicators: Identify key financial indicators relevant to the home care and hospice industry. Understand how to assess the financial health of your agency and make informed decisions to support long-term sustainability.
Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the financial aspects of running a care agency, this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the financial landscape effectively. Join us as we demystify financial statements and empower you to make informed financial decisions for the success and sustainability of your home care or hospice agency.
Speaker: Amy Knight, CPA, Knight Home Care Financial
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
General Lunch (included in registration)
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
7a. VBP and OASIS: Where Are Your Opportunities?
Session Description: Part of your Total Performance Score (TPS) is based on OASIS outcomes. Currently it is based on two composite scores for self-care and mobility (the TNC) along with improvement in dyspnea and oral medication management and discharged to community. This course will take a good look into the stand-alone OASIS items and describe how the TNC is calculated. We will also discuss the future changes to the TPS with the omission of the TNC from the TPS altogether. The TNC is currently 17.5% of the Total Performance Score of VBP, but CMS is implementing drastic changes by omitting the TNC from its programs and replacing it with the Discharge Function score. Learn the impact of the changes and how your strategies should have a new focus in 2024.
Speaker: Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, COS-C, VP Education and Quality, McBee
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
7b. Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) & Provisional Period of Enhanced Oversight (PPEO)
Session Description: Major scrutiny of the Hospice Benefit is well underway nationwide. This session will review the details of both programs and what Hospices can expect. The Special Focus Program (SFP), will monitor hospices identified as poor performers based on selected quality indicators. Hospices selected for the SFP will be under additional oversight to enable continuous improvement. This required program includes the development and implementation of enforcement remedies for noncompliant hospice programs, as well as procedures for appealing determinations regarding these remedies. These enforcement actions can be imposed instead of, or in addition to, termination of the hospice program’s participation from the Medicare program. Through the PPEO, new providers or suppliers are subject to prepayment medical reviews designed to address improper billing practices right out of the gate. This program is for newly certified hospices as well as change of ownership. This is a must attend session.
Speaker: Melinda Gaboury, COS-C, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
7c. The Role of Interpersonal Skills and Emotional Intelligence in Home Care
Session Description: The administrator of a home and community support services agency is tasked with ensuring quality care and services to clients while also maintaining client satisfaction and enabling and respecting quality of life for clients. This can best be accomplished when the agency has a culture of encouraging open, honest and respectful communication and staff self-reflection. The presentation will discuss the role of emotional intelligence at critical pressure points that may add stress to staff and client interaction. The presenter will also discuss the requirements for admission, transfer, and discharge as well as emergency discharge when communication fails. The presentation will provide measures for evaluation of staff performance in interpersonal skills and communication while offering suggestions to ensure documentation of actions and requirements met.
Speaker: Rosalind J. Nelson-Gamblin, RJNG Health Care Consulting, LLC
Continuing Education: 1.25 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.25 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - Medicare
8a. HHCAHPS: Patient Experience vs Patient Satisfaction and Why it matters in HHVBP
Session Description: With the introduction of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, there's a direct financial implication for agencies based on their Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) measures. It's vital for home health providers to recognize that "Patient Experience" is as crucial, if not more so, than the conventional view of HHCAHPS as simply a "Patient Satisfaction" indicator. A detailed examination of HHCAHPS reveals that an impressive 17 out of 19 questions zero in on patient experience, underlining its increasing significance. This focus resonates with the trends we've seen in acute care settings in the past few years. Elevating your agency's HHCAHPS scores holds significance because it indicates not just patient contentment but can also catalyze enhancements in quality, influence reimbursement and financial support, establish a competitive edge, guarantee adherence to regulations, furnish ongoing insights, enhance staff involvement, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency. Ultimately, this endeavor contributes to improved patient care and outcomes. In this session, attendees will receive insights into the specific HHCAHPS questions that influence patients' evaluations of clinicians. We will also offer actionable strategies to help agencies enhance patient experiences, improve HHCAHPS scores, and cultivate a more robust relationship between patients and clinicians in today's healthcare environment. Join us for this in-depth look at the HHCAHPS survey to learn how scores are interpreted, their impact, and how to improve your agency’s performance.
Speakers: J’non Griffin, RN MHA HCS-D, COS-C, HCS-H , Sr. Vice President/Principal-Coding and OASIS Department, SimiTree and Matthew Mulski, Co-founder and Director of Home Health Partnerships, TELOS Health Solutions
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - Hospice
8b. Navigating Delicate Dialogues: The Hospice RN's Guide to Challenging Conversations
Session Description: This is an insightful presentation crafted to empower hospice nurses with the essential skills and knowledge crucial for effective communication in the emotionally charged context of end-of-life care. Participants will explore practical communication strategies to engage in open, empathetic, and culturally sensitive conversations with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members. The presenter will discuss crucial topics such as the judicious removal of unnecessary medications, addressing the decision to decline IV therapy at the end of life, and facilitating alignment between patients and their families on non-covered equipment in hospice care. By the end of the session, attendees will be well-equipped to navigate challenging dialogues, enabling them to provide compassionate care and support during the sensitive moments of hospice care.
Speaker: Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, Founder, Blue Water Homecare and Hospice
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Track - All HCSSAs
8c. Cybersecurity Playbook: Security in Action
Session Description: Do you know and understand your agency’s cybersecurity playbook? Homecare and Hospice organizations need to follow the same HIPAA Security and Cybersecurity standards as large hospital systems but on a tighter budget. This session will bring best practices for Cybersecurity resiliency with real world solutions. In this session you will learn about Cyber assessments and the typical findings of these assessments and how to address the findings. Additionally, attendees don’t want to miss out on the Cybersecurity landscape and tips on the most common safeguards and how to get started.
Speaker: Jason Vander Velde, Senior Manager, Cybersecurity and Technology Management, Wipfli
Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours Continuing Nursing Education