Essential Training At Your Finger Tips

This webinar will cover the top ten survey deficiencies for Medicare-certified agencies, and how to avoid them. During this program, we will outline those top deficiencies and review the documentation that is required in the chart to avoid the deficiency. Best practices for your agency charts, processes, etc., will be detailed so that providers realize how the surveyor is going to review the elements related to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs). Key elements that surveyors find deficient in agency records will be outlined and reviewed. Course Author: Victoria Barron, MBA, BSN, RN Read more

With the onset of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) during the pandemic era, many home health providers have failed to address the operational changes required to manage rehab under the new value-based model. As a result of the PDGM removing rehab visits from the payment calculation, many agencies have struggled with changes required to manage rehab content and outcomes. Recent work with multiple home health providers since the onset of the PDGM has revealed the connection between PDGM-compliant rehab programs, 5-Star Ratings, and optimal reimbursement. During this four-part webinar series, attendees will learn how Medicare positioned rehab management at the center of the PDGM despite removing per/visit therapy payments. Discover how to utilize the FIL (Functional Impairment Level) successfully to deliver value-based rehab programs based on the content modifications required for PDGM outcome success. In that manner, providers can develop the OASIS accuracy necessary for optimal reimbursement, while simultaneously establishing the care pathways required for 5-Star Ratings, single-digit readmissions, and optimal fiscal margins. This exciting series breaks down the Medicare approach to the PDGM’s development to assure an understanding of rehab changes and how to achieve compliance with your therapy staff and programs. Beginning with a 10,000-foot view of the hidden value opportunities in the PDGM’s rehab regulations, home health administrators, managers and supervisors will gain insight into how to rewire therapy for new levels of success. In subsequent presentations, the development of PDGM-compliant rehab plans of care (POCs) and visit content can assure a value-based therapy episode. Finally, required rehab content necessary for skill, and denials occurring under the PDGM will round out where we are today in terms of qualified therapy expectations. The series concludes with a summary of the PDGM’s rehab POC development and in-episode delivery from admission to discharge, with a nod to future IMPACT Act reforms that will modify rehab even more. Don’t miss the exciting and informative series to optimize your rehab programs for PDGM success. Course Author -  Arnie Cisneros, PT Read more

An effective home health quality program is a key component to a well-run Medicare-certified agency. This webinar will focus on understanding the home health Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Condition of Participation (CoP) and knowing the rules for the condition. We will detail the steps for building a successful QAPI program as well as developing action plans to ensure your agency’s QAPI program is effective. Attendees will learn how utilizing the home health QAPI program to the fullest will improve your agency’s compliance and performance.  Speaker/Course Author - Tammy Stewart, RN  Read more

Recent discussions on the HCAFeForum LISTSERV focused on Medicaid managed care health plan contract challenges and limitations. During this live webinar, we will explore the topic in greater depth and discuss whether or not a "Single Case Agreement" (SCA) may be the right option for your patients/clients, staff, and organization. As providers face increasing pressure due to staffing shortages, rising gas prices, and inflation, we will discuss what to consider before caring for our most vulnerable populations. Participants will hear guidance from a managed care professional with experience navigating health plans on behalf of home care agencies, as well as from an operator of a home care agency who will shed light on real-world issues from the perspective of the provider.    Speakers/Course Authors - Regina Wild, LPN & Cindy Lavoie Read more

Attracting and hiring caregivers has become harder than ever before. The question is this: What can you do to hire the caregivers you need to meet growing client demand? (Hint: Spending more money on job boards and doing more of the same is NOT the answer!) During this live webinar, attendees will learn about smarter, more cost-effective ways to attract talent, build your employment brand, and get more of the right people applying to work for your agency.    Speaker/Course Author -Jason Chagnon CEO  Read more

On November 17, 2021, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued Advisory Opinion No. 21-18 that addresses the provision of therapy services in various types of long-term care communities, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), and full-service continuing care retirement communities. The OIG concluded that joint ventures between therapy companies and long-term care communities violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. Home health providers have often expressed concern about so-called “therapy rooms” in long-term care facilities. From the point of view of home health providers, including marketers, the use of “therapy rooms” for outpatient therapy services, as opposed to home health services, may be problematic. Patients who may benefit from other services provided by home health agencies, such as nursing and home health aides, may not receive these services when referred to outpatient therapy. In addition, patients may be required to pay co-payments for outpatient therapy services billed to Part B when they could, in many instances, receive therapies from home health agencies with no co-payments. The recent Advisory Opinion may put a damper on some arrangements between therapy companies and long-term care communities. The facts upon which the Advisory Opinion is based are that a contract therapy services company that provides management of day-to-day operations and therapy staffing for rehabilitation programs would enter into joint ventures with companies that directly or indirectly own long-term care communities. Joint venture entities would provide contract therapy services to rehabilitation programs in the communities. Please join this webinar presented by Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq., to learn why your home care agency needs to avoid these types of joint ventures and to carefully review your current contractual arrangements to determine whether they violate the OIG’s prohibition on contractual joint ventures.  Speakers/Course Author - Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.  Read more