This session will review current CMS regulations and policies that are of greatest concern to home health agencies. Topics include 2022 PDGM payment rate updates, HHVBP expansion, HH QRP modifications, HCA COP changes, OSHA COVID-19 ETS, and other pertinent regulatory and policy updates. This session is sponsored by MAC Legacy

• Education

This session includes a review of the Home Health survey process and current compliance statistics, with a focus on tips and processes to educate and prepare home health clinicians, leaders, and agency staff to be continuously compliant with the Home Health Conditions of Participation and ready for survey. Included in this session is a review with references of the most common Medicare deficiencies based on current CMS data, a review of the survey process, the types of surveys, and the potential survey outcomes. The list of the most commonly cited Medicare standard and condition level deficiencies will be discussed. Examples of proven effective strategies to address the most common deficiencies identified will be provided and discussed with question an answer periods. Information will be provided regarding how to use the sample compliance activities discussed to identify educational opportunities, gaps in processes, and continuously remain in compliance. This session is sponsored by Wellsky Read More

• Education

We've healed the wound, completed the IV therapy and reached maximum potential. Now what? Treating the illness or curing the disease shouldn't be the end goal. In an era where health care professionals are overwhelmed and focused on managing the disease, it becomes too easy to forget to look at the patient as a person who has needs other than their medications, wound care or physical therapy. We're already at the patients' homes -- why do these obstacles still escape us? How many times have these patients ended back at your doorstep, most of the time within a few weeks after discharge? Why is it that CMS has to include Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) on the OASIS data set? Why is it that 9 out of 10 adults still lack health literacy despite having access to health care? Join us as we answer these provocative questions and go back to the basics of individualized, quality patient care and, in the process, address real-life obstacles that prevent better outcomes. This session is sponsored by McKessonRead More

• Education

In 2016 and 2017, the Home Health CoPs were revised by CMS to focus on quality and performance improvement; they required home health agencies (HHAs) to have Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs and initiated the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model in 9 states. From 2018-2019, we conducted a nationwide study to explore how HHAs have responded to the changing policy landscape and how quality measures/outcomes have been impacted over time. We will report results from: 1) 41 staff interviews (from 13 HHAs) about HHVBP and quality/performance improvement; 2) a nationally-representative survey of 536 HHAs (15.7% from HHVBP states) about their QAPI programs; and 3) a longitudinal analysis (2012-2018) of HHVBP’s impact upon CMS quality measures. As nationwide HHVBP implementation approaches, this presentation will enhance understanding of CMS policies directed at quality and performance improvement and help inform HHAs regarding future responses to HHVBP. This session is sponsored by Homecare HomebaseRead More

• Education

Home health care helps individuals improve function and live with greater independence, promotes the patient’s optimal level of well-being, and helps the patient to remain at home. This care is provided not just 8am-5pm but must also include after hours care to support the patient and caregivers, prevent rehospitalization and to reinforce the care provided during the day. However, staffing the after hours is notoriously difficult and frequently is cited as a source of nurse burnout and turnover. Our solution was a build a team of highly trained triage nurses combined with specially trained runners to meet the after hours needs. This has ensured that our regular staff does not have to rotate after hours care. This has allowed improved work life balance and decreased burnout. By focusing on training and care pathways the number of afterhours visits needed has been decreased by 60-80%, and patient satisfaction has improved. On top of it all our after hours costs have been decreased. This session is sponsored by AcurataRead More

• Education