Hospice providers must now understand the new rules that surround the disposal of opioids. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, was recently approved by Congress and signed into law. This law authorizes hospice nurses and other employees to dispose of unused controlled substances,... Keep Reading
With more than 20 years of experience in the home care industry, Wanda Coley, has combined her deep knowledge of finance, business development, payer contracting and post-acute strategies to become a highly-regarded expert. As president and chief operating officer of Well Care Heath, Coley oversees daily operations, growth, profitability, and the execution... Keep Reading
In its proposed rule for Fiscal Year 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has suggested rate increases to agencies for the provision of Continuous Home Care (CHC), General Inpatient Care (GIP), and Inpatient Respite Care (IRC). These increases are proposed to help hospice agencies offset the cost of care provision on these levels of care. According to CMS, these... Keep Reading
Geriatric care managers provide a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for individuals, the families and professionals who help coordinate and provide care. For those working with seniors who desire to stay in their own home as they age, a care manager can provide guidance, planning and oversight of care.
Taney Hamill, CEO of the Aging Life Care Association and the National Academy of... Keep Reading
Every day companies and organizations generate copious amounts of data. “Big data” isn’t so much about the amount of data generated, but rather, what a company or organization does with the data. In analyzing data, businesses can use those insights to save money, to target marketing and advertising dollars, or, in the... Keep Reading
The Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) patient engagement survey impacts the bottom line of home health agencies substantially, by attracting referral sources, value-based reimbursement, and payment under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM). It is imperative for organizations to understand the HHCAHPS survey, and continuously work toward improving each measure to maximize long-term growth and... Keep Reading
As a part of its Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently hosted a webinar to update hospice providers on the pilot study of the Hospice Evaluation and Reporting Tool (HEART) that is planned to replace the Hospice Item Set. This reporting tool is currently being used by hospice providers... Keep Reading
Decreases in mobility as individuals age can lead to a decline in independence and more frail health, which in turn leads to significant increased risk of hospital admission or readmission. Beyond that, older adults are also at greater risk for isolation due to that lack of mobility and function, which can add to adverse health effects.
Isolation and lack of social integration contribute to poor health more than genetics. Among the many impacts of... Keep Reading
In the healthcare industry, communication is vitally important, not only in providing specifics about a patient’s condition, but also in detailing the type of care needed after a stay in the hospital. Dr. Christine D. Jones is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado, Denver, where she... Keep Reading
The Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) patient engagement survey impacts the bottom line of home health agencies substantially, by attracting referral sources, value-based reimbursement, and payment under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM). It is imperative for organizations to understand the HHCAHPS survey, and work on improving each measure to... Keep Reading
Did you know that about 70% of people over age 65 will require some type of long-term care? That’s according to Maryglenn Boals, CLTC, LACP, President of MgBoals & Associates, LLC, a nationally recognized leader for her work in the field of senior care options. The reality, according to Boals,... Keep Reading
The Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) patient engagement survey impacts the bottom line of home health agencies substantially, by attracting referral sources and value-based reimbursement. It is imperative for organizations to understand the HHCAHPS survey, and work on improving each measure to maximize long-term growth... Keep Reading
