Essential Training At Your Finger Tips

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

The last couple of years have been unlike any other, with enormous changes and challenges. This leaves us wondering what the future of health care will look like, including for the in-home care sector. During this session, National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) President William Dombi, Esq., will provide insight into the emerging trends in health care policy, legislation, and regulation at the federal and state levels, as well as discuss the integral and evolving role that home care plays under the Biden administration's attempts to improve our healthcare system. The session will also offer a forecast on how potential political power changes may impact health care services at home. Speakers/Course Authors - William A. Dombi, Esq Read more

While many home health providers dove into the Medicare Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) with trepidation, there are those who, after six months or more into the process, are finding that the documentation review program is not quite as bad as they thought it would be. So much so that these providers intend to continue participating in the Pre-Claim Review (PCR) process and never look back. This session will explore case studies to offer insights and lessons learned from providers who have successfully navigated the PCR process. Attendees will learn about the operational pitfalls to avoid and tips to help refine your organization's processes in order to improve your affirmation rate.  Speakers/Course Author - Lisa McClammy, BSN, RN, COS-C, HCS-D  Read more

The times they are a-changin', and one of the most significant for home health providers coming in 2022 is the replacement of the longstanding Request for Anticipated Payment (RAP) submission process with the Notice of Admission (NOA) process. RAPs have had no associated reimbursement this year but carry a monetary penalty if not filed timely, and the same will be true for the NOA…but with a more significant penalty punch! During this session, Healthcare Provider Solutions CEO Melinda Gaboury will review some of the key aspects of the NOA process so providers can get paid and stay compliant. Speakers/Course Authors - Melinda A. Gaboury, COS-C Read more

If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it is how resilient home care providers are. Everyone, however, has their breaking point, especially those on the frontlines. Burnout poses an existential threat to our workforce, now more than ever. During this session, Jen Blake, BSN, MS, RN will discuss ways to better identify burnout within an agency as well as interventions that can be used to help combat it. Additionally, attendees will learn about strategies to boost morale and foster staff development. All of these factors can help improve staff wellbeing as well as retention and serve as a foundation for building a leadership pipeline within an organization. Speakers/Course Authors - Jen Blake, BSN, MS, RN Read more

Home health agencies have had to evolve to accommodate the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD), in particular, Pre-Claim Review. Likewise, an evolution of sorts has occurred in the interpretations and practices of the medical reviewers. We will examine the recent trends that have emerged, review some examples and learn how to ensure that the documentation your agency is submitting will affirm quickly, now and in the future.    Speakers/Course Authors - Kimberly Wilkerson, MBA, LPN, CHCE, COS-C, HCS-D  Read more