In this episode of Home Health Revealed, we sit down with Becky Tolson from ACHC to break down the top five deficiencies cited in home health surveys—and why they continue to show up across agencies.

From plan of care and medication management to documentation habits and infection control, Becky shares what surveyors see most often, where agencies fall short, and how to fix it before it becomes a citation.

If your team struggles with documentation, communication, or staying survey-ready, this episode offers practical insights to help you close the gap between care and compliance.

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Home Health Revealed: Profit Cycle Management
• (00:04:10) - Ohio Conference 2017
• (00:07:17) - Interview with Hannah Hathaway

We discuss the difference between Medicare and Medicaid care models, often described as “pit stops vs lifelong care,” and how those philosophies shape patient experience, care delivery, and long-term outcomes. Jeremy also shares insights on the current state of hospice, including common misconceptions, emerging opportunities, and the importance of education in helping patients and families better understand the benefit.

The conversation also dives into the growing role of collaboration in home care, including clinically integrated networks like OCHN, and how stronger relationships between providers and payers are helping move the industry forward.

As reimbursement pressures, regulatory changes, and care demands continue to evolve, home health agencies are being challenged to rethink how they operate and how they define success.

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Jeremy Collier: Home Health and Hospice
• (00:01:48) - Ohio doctor on hospice care
• (00:06:31) - OCHN CEO on the Need for Communication with the Payer
• (00:09:48) - Wonders of the World

Gavin shares his perspective on what makes KanTime different, from its consulting-first roots to its focus on understanding what agencies actually need to succeed. The conversation highlights an important reminder for providers: technology should support care, not complicate it—and the foundation of everything starts with strong documentation and aligned systems.

Along the way, we also get to know the person behind the role, from his days as a bull rider to his current “hype man” approach to helping agencies find the right solutions.

It’s a candid, on-the-ground conversation about EMRs, problem-solving in home health, and why keeping the patient at the center still matters most.

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:28) - Bachelor's party
• (00:00:54) - Hype Man for Cantime
• (00:02:36) - In the Elevator With Bull Riding

They discuss how AI is already being used across clinical, operational, and financial workflows, why payers are leveraging automation to review and deny claims at scale, and what providers can do now to stay ahead. The conversation also explores how better data integration, stronger revenue cycle processes, and clearer financial visibility can help agencies protect margin while continuing to grow.

Hannah and Ethan also talk through the importance of having the right tech stack, how financial and operational data need to work together, and why agencies that understand their numbers will be in the strongest position as reimbursement pressure continues.

If you are a home health or hospice leader trying to understand where AI fits into your organization, this episode breaks down the hype, the reality, and what agencies should be doing now to future-proof their operations.

Listeners interested in learning more about the tools discussed in this episode can visit Flychain to explore financial visibility and AI-driven reporting solutions, or learn more about revenue cycle strategy and performance improvement through HealthRev Partners.

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Home Health Revealed: The AI CFO
• (00:03:12) - Do You Need to Worry About Your Job?
• (00:05:57) - What AI Looks Like for Home Health?
• (00:10:46) - How Can EMRs Align Their Tech Stack with AI?
• (00:13:41) - Is AI the CFO of the Future?
• (00:15:46) - Should I Buy or Start with an EMR?
• (00:19:19) - Sources of Truth in the EMRs
• (00:20:45) - Payment-side AI: How do we keep up with pay
• (00:24:22) - Home Health Industry's Fight Against AI and the Audit Crack
• (00:29:32) - What Does AI Look Like For Healthcare Operations?
• (00:37:07) - Healthcare Finance: Automation and Data Integration
• (00:43:10) - Are You Scared of AI Taking Jobs?
• (00:43:54) - What Would Home Health and Hospice Leaders Do With AI?
• (00:48:39) - Where to Reach Out to Ethan Glass

They explore the ongoing pressure from Medicare reimbursement changes, the impact of value-based purchasing and quality metrics, and the growing workforce challenges affecting agencies across the country. The conversation also dives into the increasing demand for home-based care, access-to-care concerns, and why the story of home health is not always reaching policymakers the way it should.

If you're a home health leader trying to prepare for the years ahead, this episode offers an inside look at the data, policy conversations, and industry realities that will define the future of care at home.

Listeners interested in getting involved in advocacy efforts can learn more through the National Alliance for Care at Home Advocacy Action Center and find details about Alliance membership opportunities on their website.
The Alliance DC Advocacy Fly-In will take place September 13–16, and Alliance members will receive registration information directly.

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:25) - Alex Hartzman on Policy Influence in Home Care
• (00:01:27) - Top 3 issues facing home health agencies
• (00:05:30) - What Can an Average Home Health Agency Do to Improve Their Quality Score
• (00:09:37) - Risk of rehospitalization
• (00:10:35) - Home Health Agency Executives on Staff turnover
• (00:14:15) - The value of home health
• (00:19:49) - Home Health and Hospice: A Conversation

They break down why heart failure requires coordination between hospitals, home health, skilled nursing, and hospice, and how the American Heart Association’s certification program is designed to support agencies with evidence-based standards, education, and measurable outcomes.

Kyle shares what the certification process looks like, what agencies are required to track, and how becoming AHA certified can strengthen referral relationships, reduce readmissions, and improve patient care.

If your agency is looking to grow referrals, improve quality metrics, and stand out as a trusted partner, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, we’re joined by Deanna Heath of KanTime to discuss the critical mindset shift from cure-focused care to comfort-focused care, and what that means for hospice leadership, documentation, and regulatory compliance.

As CMS oversight increases and the HOPE tool, audit scrutiny, and reimbursement pressure reshape the landscape, hospice agencies must ensure their documentation tells the full clinical story. Deanna shares insight from the technology side, while we explore how EMR systems should support — not replace — strong operational processes and compliance strategy.

Together, we unpack:

• Hospice documentation requirements and audit readiness
• Compliance risk areas and regulatory trends
• The evolving role of EMR systems in hospice operations
• Leadership alignment and its impact on audit outcomes and revenue integrity
• Preparing for HOPE and shifting CMS expectations

Whether you’re a hospice administrator, compliance leader, or revenue cycle executive, this conversation offers practical insight into building operational strength while protecting reimbursement.

Strong hospice care requires more than compassion, it requires clarity, alignment, and documentation that truly tells the patient’s story.

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Home Health Revealed: Dena Heath
• (00:00:52) - Hospice People Handle Chaos Better
• (00:02:36) - What Do Hospice Clinicians Need Most?
• (00:03:47) - What Surprises Home Health Leaders Most When They Step into Hospice
• (00:09:38) - The Biggest Documentation Challenge for Hospices in 2026
• (00:16:58) - Cantime Compliance Review
• (00:23:32) - No Pain Points in Hospice
• (00:27:26) - Snowboarding in the snow

You’ll hear how engaged hospice physicians serve as the “number one compliance officer,” what meaningful documentation looks like when audits are inevitable, and why understanding the “why” behind the rules transforms quality and compliance from a checkbox task into a strong foundation for patient care. Dr. Templeton also highlights education pathways—from hospice boot camps and webinars to state associations and national alliances—that help teams strengthen eligibility decisions, interdisciplinary documentation, and day-to-day operations.

Whether you’re a hospice medical director, administrator, nurse, or quality leader, this conversation will equip you to advocate more confidently, engage your physicians more effectively, and protect both your patients and your organization in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Lauren Templeton
• (00:01:41) - My Voice Really Matters in Advocacy
• (00:07:16) - What educational opportunities exist for hospice professionals in quality and compliance?
• (00:13:41) - What Does an Engaged Hospice Physician Look Like?
• (00:17:51) - Have I Got What You Need For Your Hospice?
• (00:18:35) - Your voice does matter

You’ll hear from:

• Christopher Hirschler, Dean of the Health and Wellness Science Division at Lorain County Community College

• Lisa Von Lemden, Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice

• Hannah DiVencenzo, Program Developer at Lorain County Community College

• Cynthia Kushner, Director of School, Workforce and Community partnerships

• Abigail Farabaugh, Career and Academic Advisement Professional

Together, they share powerful stories from recent ride‑alongs: organizing overflowing baskets of medications, navigating homes transformed into care spaces, and supporting families through heartbreaking seasons with remarkable resilience. You’ll also hear about those “oh no” moments—like expired blood tubes in the trunk—and how strong team backup turns solo visits into a true network of care.

Listen in to learn:

• Why being invited into a patient’s home is “sacred” work and how it reveals social determinants of health in real time, from housing quality to family support to mental health.

• How home health nurses flex between roles—clinician, educator, advocate, problem‑solver, even “therapist”—often in the same visit.

• What schedule flexibility, point‑based pay models, and documentation from home actually look like in a real nurse’s day (including coffee breaks between visits).

• How AI and technology are changing preparation for visits, decision‑making, and mentorship for newer nurses entering home health. 

• Why home care can be a smart career move for nurses who want autonomy, meaningful one‑on‑one time with patients, and strong earning potential—without punching a time clock.

The episode also highlights new workforce and education partnerships, including a $2 million Department of Higher Education investment into the Center for Community Based Care to grow and support the next generation of home health and hospice clinicians across Ohio. Lorain County Community College shares how it is exposing students to home health early—through ride‑alongs, pathways content, and mentorship—so they can discover if this deeply relational kind of nursing is the right fit.

If you’re:

• A nursing student wondering what’s beyond the ICU or med‑surg,

• A nurse craving more control over your time and deeper patient relationships, or

• An educator or leader trying to build stronger home health pathways…

…this episode will challenge your assumptions about what nursing “has” to look like and show you what’s possible when care comes to the couch instead of the bedside.

Learn more & get connected:

• Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice / Center for Community Based Care: visit www.ochch.org and use the Contact Us form to inquire about tuition support, grants, and workforce opportunities across Ohio.

• Interested in educational pathways at...

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Why the Home Matters
• (00:01:28) - Home Health: The Journey
• (00:07:35) - The Home Health Care Nurse Experience
• (00:13:13) - The Day in the Life of Home Health
• (00:16:30) - Social determinants of health in the home
• (00:20:06) - What is Home Health Care for People?
• (00:22:17) - The role of nurses in the field
• (00:25:59) - Home Health Nurse Training: Flexibility
• (00:31:39) - Home Care and Hospice Programs
• (00:36:08) - Home Care: The Career Choice
• (00:42:31) - Riding Along With a Home Health Nurse
• (00:45:58) - Home Health Care: A Personal Experience

Hannah discusses the new partnership and product certification for Velocity. Lisa shares how ACHC is helping agencies meet evolving regulations, improve operational efficiency, and "do more with less"! We also discuss how agencies can access free education through ACHCU. ACHCU provides leaders and teams with practical, on-demand learning to stay prepared and confident in a constantly changing regulatory environment. 

From accreditation and survey readiness to workforce education and smarter processes, this episode highlights how compliance can become a strategic advantage. 

Learn about HealthRev Partners' partnership with ACHC HERE. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:42) - Lisa Meadows at the ACCreditation Conference
• (00:01:57) - Top of Mind for Hospice Providers
• (00:02:49) - ACHC: Helping Providers Meet the Regulations

While the proposed 9% cut would have been catastrophic for the home health industry, even the finalized cuts continue to place real pressure on agencies across the country. At the same time, this moment also highlighted something worth recognizing: the industry rallied! Providers, leaders, and advocates came together to offer meaningful feedback and that collective voice mattered!

The episode was co-hosted by Mike Quinn of nVoq, who brings a powerful personal perspective. Mike shares his own experience as a recipient of care through Empath, an unexpected and meaningful connection that surfaced during the conversation. That firsthand experience underscores the impact of care delivered well. 

Jonathan dives deep into employee retention and workforce development, emphasizing the importance of listening, truly listening, to staff in order to drive smarter policies, meaningful change, and innovation within organizations. His perspective reinforces that sustainable growth starts with engaged, supported teams. 

We also explore how Empath is leveraging nVoq's talk to text technology to empower clinicians in the field, reducing documentation burden and helping teams do more with less. With so much technology flooding the market, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what actually works---solutions that deliver a real return on investment and a return on time. 

In an environment defined by cuts, complexity, and workforce challenges, technology isn't a nice-to-have; it's a lifeline. This episode bring a grounded, honest look at what's working, what matters, and how home health agencies can move forward with intention. 

Want to learn more about the HealthRev Partners and nVoq partnership? 

Kara shares a retention strategy almost no one in home health is talking about: quarterly employee bonuses. Yes, bonuses! In addition to celebrations and personal recognition, employees see the results of the overall agency success in a real way. 

And the results? 

Higher retention, stronger morale, and a company culture people don't want to leave. 

We dive in to the measurable impact on employee satisfaction and retention, the role that recognition plays in sustaining culture, and have a financial weigh-in from Ethan on how the bottom line is impacted when employees stay. 

Did you know that the FlyChain and HealthRev partnership are helping agencies achieve better financial health with their Advanced Funding Program? Learn more here: https://healthrevpartners.com/resource-center/advanced-funding/ 

Check out HealthRev's Resource Center to learn more about how Coding and Billing services backed with technology are preparing agencies for a better financial future. 

Lindsay shares her journey launching a hospice while navigating the realities of purchasing a location, serving rural communities across long distances, and building a team capable of wearing multiple hats. From salaries clinicians who balance care delivery with outreach, to the day to day decisions that shape a new agency's identity, Lindsay pulls back the curtain on the challenges and opportunities of building something meaningful. 

This episode explores "the power of the pivot" when regulations, geography and resources don't align, how innovative staffing models can create stability and continuity, lessons learned from starting a hospice in rural Texas (and renting a jet to get from place to place). More than anything, this is a lesson about how flexibility, grit, and mission-driven leadership shape success. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:32) - An Ohioan on the Issues
• (00:01:16) - Startup Four Pillars Hospice
• (00:04:00) - Hospice Care for Rural Communities
• (00:06:03) - Hospice: Utilizing the Community
• (00:07:15) - Hospice Care as a Rural Provider
• (00:12:48) - How Hospice Care is Collaborating
• (00:13:22) - Hospice CEO on Next Step
• (00:14:51) - Wonders of the World interview

A HUGE thank you to our guests, our listeners, and our partners. Here's to the next 100 episodes!

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Turning 100 Episodes
• (00:01:19) - A Thanksgiving Special: Thank You
• (00:03:24) - Home Health Care: The Last Four Years
• (00:05:48) - Home Health Revealed: A 100-Episode Podcast
• (00:10:44) - Home Health Revealed: The Next 100 Episodes

Key highlights include:

• A 2.4% market payment update, offset by adjustments, resulting in an overall 1.3% reduction in Medicare payments to home health agencies.

• Recalibrated PDGM case-mix weights and updated LUPA thresholds, changing how agencies need to plan visits and document care.

• Important changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (QRP), including removal of the COVID-19 vaccination measure, as well as updates to OASIS data elements.

• The launch of a revised Home Health CAHPS survey, new value-based purchasing measures, and changes in quality measure weightings.

• New compliance provisions and revised provider enrollment rules designed to ensure program integrity and fight fraud.

Whether you’re an agency leader, clinician, or RCM professional, this episode provides everything you need to know direct from CMS guidance to keep your agency compliant, competitive, and prepared for 2026. Don’t miss Hannah’s expert take and practical tips for navigating the year’s most important regulatory updates.

Like, share, and subscribe for more insights on home health policy, revenue cycle optimization, and industry trends.

#HomeHealthRevealed #CMSFinalRule #HomeHealth2026

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:36) - CMS Final Rules for Home Health Services (2026)
• (00:03:28) - CMS Final Rule 1, Home Health Payment Rates
• (00:05:47) - CMS Rule 6, Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQ
• (00:12:36) - CMS Final Rule 2026 for DME POS

Nina brings her deep passion for quality to this conversation, showing how it influences everything from star ratings to documentation to the level of care delivered. Together, we dive into the important connection between the actual patient and the "paper patient", providing exceptional patient-facing care while maintaining compliance, how targeted education can strengthen both clinical outcomes and documentation, the impact of of quality on reimbursement, reputation, and clinician confidence, and practical strategies for leaders and clinicians to align care delivery with documentation requirements. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:36) - How Quality Drives Everything at Addis Home Care
• (00:05:41) - President Trump on the culture of the NBA
• (00:05:58) - Democracy in the Elevator

Mike shares how clinicians, agency leaders, and even patients can get involved at the state and national levels to influence legislation, improve reimbursement models, and protect access to home care services.

This episode covers why advocacy is essential for the future of home health, how to get involved with your state and national associations, like Alliance for Home Care, including practical steps to take- even if you're new to advocacy. 

Bayada is also launching their new podcast, "Home Care, You Say?" (worth following!). 

Learn more about advocacy and get involved at heartsforhomecare.com 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:38) - Hearts for Home Care: On Advocacy
• (00:01:50) - Advertisements for Home Health and Hospice
• (00:03:20) - In the Elevator With Tom Rath

Nicole shares about the emotional, spiritual, and practical support given to families and how some times the family support can be a deciding factor for a patient choosing hospice services. 

Nicole also talks about how her time at Alliance allows her to focus on what she does, why she does it, and how to better take care of her team so they can take care of their patients who need that last grace. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: The Alliance in New Orleans
• (00:01:00) - Hospice Expo 2017: Talking About the Future

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Cantime Home Health and Hospice Conference
• (00:05:02) - Local People Talk New Orleans Beignets
• (00:05:54) - Home Health and Hospice Advocates
• (00:09:30) - How to Keep a Nursing Staff Happy

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:01:12) - In the Elevator With Hospice Director Natalie McNeil
• (00:01:37) - Quality and Compliance in the Hospice Care Industry
• (00:03:04) - Georgia's hospice coverage

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:01:06) - Cafe New Orleans
• (00:03:40) - Best Food In New Orleans

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:32) - Golf Outing With Obsessed Cowboys
• (00:01:12) - Five Questions for Trella's CEO
• (00:01:50) - Multiple Choice Questions for the Dallas Cowboys
• (00:04:47) - Jerry Gets a Copy

If you've ever wondered whether outsourcing your billing could actually work for your agency, this episode is for you! The HealthRev Partners team breaks down the top reasons home health agencies choose to outsource and what THEY would look for in a strong partnership. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Revenue Cycle Management Conference
• (00:01:10) - Meet the VP of RCM at Health Residence
• (00:01:39) - Shailene Gets the Clap
• (00:02:24) - Home Health and Hospice Out-source
• (00:04:10) - "We need help with our agencies."
• (00:04:28) - What other things do you think businesses need to Outsourcing?
• (00:05:45) - Billing Specialist: What Do You Look For In A Candidate?
• (00:07:44) - Democracy in the Elevator

With more than 32 years of experience, Dr. Harrell shares her profound insights on effective leadership, emotional intelligence, and building resilient teams in hospice care.

Listen as she explores:

- How presence and accountability shape effective leadership in hospice

- The role of emotional intelligence in creating positive staff culture

- Strategies for leading through industry changes and regulatory updates

- Preparing for the HOPE Assessment and its impact on patient outcomes

- The importance of mission-driven work and empowering emerging leaders

You'll hear stories from the front lines, practical advice for staff development, and a passionate outlook on why compassion and adaptability matter most in end-of-life care. If you’re a hospice leader, staff member, or emerging professional looking to make a greater impact, this episode will equip and inspire you.

Connect with Dr. Harrell and Hospice in the Pines at [www.hospiceinthepines.org](https://www.hospiceinthepines.org), or by phone at 936-632-1514 / 1-800-324-8557.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes on the realities and opportunities in home health and hospice! #HomeHealthRevealed #HospiceLeadership #HOPEAssessment #HealthcarePodcast #EndOfLifeCare #TeamDevelopment #CompassionInCare #HospiceinthePines

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Leadership in Hospice Care
• (00:01:49) - A Leader's Role in the Community
• (00:03:11) - What is Effective Leadership in Hospice?
• (00:05:04) - What Makes a Leader Effective?
• (00:07:33) - The Role of Emotional Intelligence at Hospice in the Pines
• (00:17:50) - What advice would you give to emerging leaders in hospice?

For our final Live from the Alliance Conference episode of Home Health Revealed, Hannah Vale and Sara Nigro close out the series with an incredible conversation with Melissa Battistella of Cadre Hospice. With deep expertise in revenue cycle management (RCM) and years of hands-on leadership, Melissa shares what it really takes to guide teams through change while keeping people—and purpose—at the center.

Melissa dives into:

• Leveraging human capital and why investing in your people delivers the greatest returns

• Teaching teams to master Medicare collections with confidence

• How to bundle into payor projects and document strategically so denied claims get paid

• The value of training as an investment, staying ahead of RCM “snowballs,” and building sandboxes for safe experimentation

• Avoiding analysis paralysis by creating safe spaces to use data, explore root causes, and strengthen decision-making

Her insights make it clear: lasting success in RCM isn’t just about processes—it’s about people leading those processes. If you’re ready to rethink how you support, teach, and empower your team, this is the conversation for you.

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:53) - Revenue Cycle Team Lead
• (00:06:18) - What is your key to success?
• (00:09:02) - What's the most creative thing your team has done to stretch a
• (00:10:48) - Billing 101: Confidence in your EMR System
• (00:12:53) - Interview with RCM Home Health and Hospice CEO

In this episode of Home Health Revealed: Live from the Alliance Conference, hosts Michael Greenlee, Sara Nigro, and Hannah Vale sit down with Jake Panowicz of Haven Hospice. Though Haven has only been open just over a year, the new agency is already caring for around 70 patients—a testament to the foundation of trust and shared purpose Jake built with his team.

Jake, no stranger to startups (this is his third business), pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to launch a hospice agency. He dives into:

• Choosing the right team and leading with shared mission

• Understanding the ins and outs of accreditation and state licensure

• The milestone of admitting your very first patient

• Preparing for the unknown, especially the challenges of securing a Medicare number

• Why intentional planning—and mentorship—make all the difference

Sara and Hannah agree: Jake has the heart of a mentor, and he openly offers encouragement and guidance to those stepping into the industry with the right intentions.

If you’re considering starting a hospice or home health agency—or just want to hear the journey of an inspiring new leader—this episode is packed with experience-driven wisdom.

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health REVEALed
• (00:01:51) - Meet Jake Panowich at the Alliance Conference
• (00:04:13) - Starting a Hospice Care Agency
• (00:06:05) - Hospice Financial Metrics
• (00:08:00) - In the Elevator With Michael
• (00:08:38) - Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore 2
• (00:09:26) - Budgeting and Visualization
• (00:10:14) - Jake On Hospice Mentorship

In this episode of Home Health Revealed, host Hannah Vale welcomes back Victoria Kuklina, of FinHealth, for Part Two: an actionable guide to what home health agencies can do NOW to prepare for the 2026 rate cuts—under the Home Health Proposed Rule 2026.

Victoria shares essential strategies for immediate action, including budgeting, scenario planning, and operational readiness for agencies navigating the upcoming payment reductions. Plus, discover her free tool, the FinHealth Score, which simplifies your agency’s financial readiness to a single, easy-to-understand number and provides tailored, actionable insights to help you plan and protect margins.

In this episode:

• Budgeting amid regulatory changes

• How to approach scenario planning: manage risk with data-driven forecasts

• Operational strategies for staffing, patient access, compliance, and cash flow as the rules shift

• How to use the FinHealth Score tool to benchmark readiness and access practical guidance

• Vital updates as CMS transitions from the proposed rule to the home health final rule 2026

• Proactive steps agencies can take now to build resilience and advocate for quality care

Whether your agency is just starting to assess the impact or already designing contingency plans, tune in for a practical roadmap to staying ahead.

Like, subscribe, and share to help home health leaders navigate the changes and optimize financial health ahead of 2026!

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed: Budgeting and Scenario Planning
• (00:01:17) - Budgeting: The Communication Tool
• (00:03:30) - Beyond the Budget: Scenario Planning
• (00:08:00) - Home Health Agency Executive Brief
• (00:11:05) - FinHealth's Fin Health Score
• (00:11:42) - CMS Fin Health Score

In this episode of Home Health Revealed, host Hannah Vale welcomes Victoria Kuklina, former CFO of Pinnacle and co-founder of FinHealth, for a deep dive into the 2026 PPS Proposed Rule and its widespread implications for home health agencies....

In this episode of Home Health Revealed: Live from the Alliance Conference, Michael Greenlee and Sara Nigro sit down with Katrina Reese of Enterprise Fleet Management to talk about one of the most practical—but often overlooked—needs in home-based care: reliable transportation for your staff.

Katrina shares how Enterprise partners with agencies to provide cost-effective, safe, and dependable fleet solutions that ensure caregivers can focus on what matters most—serving patients. From managing expenses and reducing liability to improving reliability and employee satisfaction, Katrina highlights the benefits that come when agencies no longer have to worry about the logistics of vehicles.

If your team is on the road every day, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:45) - Enterprise Fleet Management at the Financial Conference
• (00:02:17) - Company-Provided Cars

In this episode of Home Health Revealed: Live from the Alliance Financial Management Conference, hosts Michael Greenlee and Sara Nigro are joined by Demetress Harrell, Founder and longtime CEO of Hospice in the Pines. With nearly 30 years of attending the conference, Demetress brings a wealth of perspective on leadership, collaboration, and the evolving role of technology in home health and hospice.

She shares powerful insights on:

• The importance of building true partnerships within the industry

• Supporting staff so they can effectively serve not just patients, but entire families

• How approaches to AI have shifted over the years—and what it means for the future of care

• Why attending the Alliance is invaluable for three reasons: learning from industry leaders (“Sometimes when you’re inside the whale, you don’t see how to float”), genuine networking that sustains, and gaining exposure to new technologies that can truly enhance outcomes.

If you want a thoughtful, heartfelt, and perspective-rich conversation on leadership in hospice and home health, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:00:33) - Demetrius Harrell from Hospice in the Pines
• (00:01:18) - Michael Buble on Owning an Agency
• (00:01:41) - What's Your Best Piece of Financial Advice for Hospice?
• (00:04:29) - The Financial Conference
• (00:05:25) - Top Executives: The Future of AI
• (00:05:52) - Financial Conference 2017
• (00:07:58) - A message from the Board

We had good coffee from Dollop and Blue Bottle, deep dish pizza from Lou Maltnati's (and a nap!), settled in for conversations that are both inspiring and practical. 

We kicked off our first episode of the series with Michael Greenlee (HealthRev) and Sara Nigro (BetterRX). After a fun opener covering Chicago eats, coffee favorites, and a little banter with Hannah Vale, they sit down with Kristina Senna of Faith Home Health in Kansas City.

Kristina shares her perspective on leading with faith and resilience in the home health space. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Reveal
• (00:02:05) - A Guest Podcaster at Alliance Conference
• (00:02:26) - Financial Questions for Home Health and Hospice
• (00:03:09) - Home Health and Hospice Agency Cash Flow
• (00:03:39) - If You Could Fix Home Health, What Would It Be?
• (00:04:21) - Best Hidden Tips for Improving Your Agency's Bottom Line
• (00:05:31) - Louis Vuitton on Michigan Avenue

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - home health and hospice care
• (00:01:11) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:02:54) - Private Companies: How Do You Scale?
• (00:08:49) - Greg McAfee on Becoming More Personalized
• (00:09:56) - The Home Health Agency's Culture
• (00:12:14) - Patriot Hospitals' culture of service
• (00:16:15) - Immunity Agency CEO on AR
• (00:18:25) - How Do You Retain Talented Clinicians?
• (00:19:21) - Sean and Greg on The Biggest Mistake
• (00:24:35) - Finding the Right Person for the Job
• (00:26:28) - How 4,500 Employees Got Started
• (00:27:29) - How Do You Communicate With 500 People?
• (00:29:01) - How Do You Trust Your Leaders?
• (00:31:06) - The Secret to Great Leadership
• (00:33:11) - Top Executives: We Need to Make a Major Change at
• (00:37:22) - Startups Are Hard
• (00:38:37) - Grow: The Process of Growing Your Business

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. Grow your agency and expand your mission with a high-powered revenue cycle management partner. 

Chapters

• (00:00:02) - Home Health Revealed
• (00:01:31) - Home Care and Hospice: The stories of nurses
• (00:03:33) - Home Care Nurse on Managing Remote Locations
• (00:08:03) - Nurses talk about their experiences as nurses
• (00:11:25) - What do you feel like is a time or maybe a story where
• (00:16:18) - A Home Care Nurse's last day
• (00:17:29) - Diane on Nursing and Home Care

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The real challenges small agencies face when juggling intake, scheduling, billing, and more

Why standardizing and centralizing your back-office operations is the key to sustainable growth

How outsourcing with a trusted partner like CallMax Solutions can free up your leadership to focus on patient care and business expansion

The critical role of compliance and how to build a “safety net” as you scale

Why centralized processes make your agency more attractive to potential buyers or partners

How to overcome the fear of outsourcing and gain more control—not less—over your business

CallMax Solutions- Contact Chris at c.mojica@callmaxsolutions.com or BD@callmaxsolutions.com to learn more.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How aligning supply practices with CMS DME guidelines can cut costs by up to 15% in home care and 10% in hospice without compromising care quality

• Common challenges in trunk stock management and actionable solutions to improve inventory visibility and reduce freight costs

• Effective change management strategies to streamline supply utilization, including reducing product options and implementing supervisory approvals

• Building long-term, data-driven partnerships with medical suppliers to ensure consistent quality and cost savings

• Why relying on platforms like Amazon for medical supplies can be risky for quality and compliance

About our guest:
Ted Stitzel is President of Reidy Medical Supply, Inc., a trusted provider of disposable medical supplies for home care and hospice since 1992. With over 50 years of combined experience alongside his wife Rita, Ted is committed to improving lives through exceptional customer service and operational excellence. He also serves as Vice President of Doyle Medical LLC, specializing in durable medical equipment and billing for Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers.

Tune in to gain actionable insights that can help your agency optimize supply management, reduce overhead, and ultimately deliver better patient outcomes.

In this episode, Amy Cassata shares her expertise on: The transformation of wound care through AI technology Swift Medical's innovative tools like SmartTissue™ and AutoDepth™ Overcoming challenges in implementing AI-based wound care solutions The future of AI applications in wound care Discover how Swift Medical's AI-powered solutions are improving clinical decision-making, enhancing patient outcomes, and addressing resource allocation challenges in rural and underserved areas.

Amy also discusses the impact of these advancements on healing times and clinician efficiency. Whether you're a healthcare professional, technology enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of AI and medical care, this episode offers valuable insights into wound care management. Tune in to learn how AI is shaping the future of wound care and improving patient outcomes in home health settings. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's leading experts as we explore the cutting-edge advancements in wound care technology.

Ever wondered why hospice has been in the hot seat lately? Katie breaks it down, offering a compassionate look at the challenges facing providers and patients alike.

We dive into:

- The real story behind hospice surveys and audits (it's not what you might think!)

- Insider tips for navigating the tricky waters of Targeted Probe & Educate (TPE)

- Practical ways hospices can stay ahead of potential red flags

This episode offers valuable insights you won't want to miss. Join us as we explore how to ensure dignity, compassion, and excellence in end-of-life care. #HospiceCare #HealthcareQuality #EndOfLifeCare #PatientDignity

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Mobley, CEO and Co-Founder of Vivid Health, to explore how his company is transforming the post-acute care space through cutting-edge AI technology. This engaging conversation dives deep into the challenges of home healthcare and how Vivid Health’s innovative solutions are improving both operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Plus, stick around for a live demo of their interactive patient calling feature, showcasing the future of care management.

Patrick shares the “aha” moment that inspired him to launch Vivid Health. Drawing from his extensive experience in healthcare innovation, he explains how the inefficiencies in post-acute care, particularly in home health settings, motivated him to create a solution that reduces administrative burdens and improves patient care.

For those unfamiliar with the complexities of CMS forms like OASIS, CTIs, and Form 485s, Patrick breaks down the pain points faced by clinical teams. He explains how Vivid Health’s AI-powered platform automates up to 94% of documentation tasks, reducing nurse paperwork and intake times --a game-changer for overburdened providers.

Patrick discusses how streamlining documentation and compliance doesn’t just save time—it directly impacts patient outcomes. By enabling clinicians to focus more on care delivery rather than paperwork, Vivid Health helps improve patient satisfaction and health equity.

Innovation in healthcare requires more than just technical expertise—it demands a team that deeply understands provider and patient needs. Patrick shares his insights on building a mission-driven team that blends healthcare expertise with cutting-edge technology. 

Looking ahead, Patrick teases exciting developments on the horizon for Vivid Health. From expanding their generative AI capabilities to tackling new challenges like hospice care planning with CMS’s upcoming HOPE assessment tool, the company is poised to redefine what’s possible in post-acute care.

In this episode’s highlight, Patrick walks us through a live demo of Vivid Health’s interactive patient calling feature, showcasing how their platform automates follow-ups and creates personalized clinical checklists for care teams. This feature not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures patients remain engaged throughout their care journey.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by Velocity. Get results with revenue cycle intelligence. 

Key Discussion Points:

The Growing Memory Care Market: The US memory care market was valued at $5.82 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach over $11 billion by 2033. The implications of this growth are a on-going discussion. 

Staggering Statistics: Over 40% of individuals above the age of 65 in the US live with some form of memory impairment. Hannah and Mike unpack the numbers and what they mean for families.

The Importance of Home: While assisted living facilities are on the rise, many individuals prefer to remain in the comfort of their own homes. What are the benefits and challenges of aging in place?

Caregiver Burnout: The demands of caring for someone with memory impairment can lead to caregiver burnout. What resources are available, and how can we better support caregivers?

"Diabetes 3": A New Perspective?: Kandice and the hosts explore the potential link between diet, glucose levels, and Alzheimer's, prompting the question: Should Alzheimer's be viewed as "Diabetes 3" in the US?

ThriveWell At Home's Holistic Approach: Kandice shares ThriveWell At Home's mission: "Glorifying God by bringing more love and better health to those we serve." They discuss the five drivers of health and wellness - community, spirituality, nutrition, purpose, and more, and how they are integrated into care plans.

Featured Guest:

Kandice Stanley, RN, Director of Patient Care Services at ThriveWell At Home, brings over 22 years of diverse healthcare experience to the table. Kandice is passionate about revolutionizing how caregivers are treated and compensated. 

Notable Quotes from Kandice:

"Caregivers are the foundation of healthcare at home. It is time they're treated with the dignity and support that reflect their essential role in patient lives."

Links & Resources:

ThriveWell At Home: https://www.thrivewellathome.com/ 

HealthRev Partners: https://healthrevpartners.com/

Subscribe to Home Health Revealed for more insightful discussions on the latest trends and challenges in home healthcare!

Arianna leads the Association's program research, data analysis, and strategic initiatives. With her master's in public health from the University at Albany School of Public Health and bachelor's in public health from the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Arianna offers valuable insights into public health, home care and hospice, aging, and long-term care.

Discover the mission of the Home Care Association of New York State and its role in supporting over 560,000 direct care workers. Learn about the growth of this workforce, and the economic challenges they face with median annual earnings of just $25,000.

Arianna delves into the pressing labor shortages causing care delays and denials, and discusses innovative strategies for improving recruitment and retention. Get an exclusive look at the Home Care Association's three-pronged workforce initiative, including pilot programs for nurse rotations, residencies, and recruitment.

Don't miss this comprehensive examination of one of New York's fastest-growing and most essential industries, led by an expert at the forefront of home care research and development.

And, as always, Home Health Revealed is brought to you by Velocity, now SOC 2 Type ii certified!

#HomeCare #NewYork #HealthcareWorkforce #CaregiverCrisis #WorkforceInitiatives

Key topics covered:

- The projected growth of Medicare Advantage enrollments to 60% by the end of the decade
- Strategies for revenue cycle teams to succeed in the Medicare Advantage landscape
- The importance of pre-service activities, including eligibility checks and prior authorizations
- How accurate coding impacts financial performance, regulatory compliance, and quality of care
- Addressing denials efficiently to facilitate timely reimbursement
- The role of technology and automation in adapting to Medicare Advantage challenges

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by Velocity, HealthRev Partners' cutting edge RCM software. 

State associations and workforce programs are playing an innovative and crucial role in addressing the home health nursing shortage. These organizations are leveraging new strategies and partnerships to support recruitment and retention efforts in the healthcare industry, particularly in the home-based care sector.

Workforce Development Boards across the country have received significant funding from the American Rescue Plan to identify and support individuals interested in healthcare careers. These boards are doing things like:

- Paying for education and training programs
- Facilitating seamless transitions into the workforce
- Creating regional sector partnerships focused on healthcare

In Connecticut, three out of five Workforce Development Boards have established regional sector partnerships for healthcare. These partnerships are innovative platforms that:

- Bring together employers, educators, and workforce development professionals
- Identify specific healthcare workforce needs in the region
- Develop targeted strategies to address those needs

State associations are encouraging and facilitating academic-practice partnerships between home health agencies and educational institutions. These partnerships are:

- Providing students with exposure to home-based care settings
- Offering opportunities for shadowing and competency development
- Creating a pipeline of potential employees familiar with home health work environments

These changes create opportunities for home health agencies to offer valuable clinical experiences to nursing students, potentially attracting them to the sector post-graduation.

By fostering these innovative approaches, state associations and workforce programs are playing a vital role in addressing the home health nursing shortage, creating sustainable solutions for workforce development in this critical healthcare sector.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by Velocity! Are you driving predictable revenue? 

In this episode, we discuss:

- Simplifying Clinical Documentation: Discussion on how AI can streamline the extensive data collection process during start of care visits, allowing nurses to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork.
- AI Tools: Linda shares insights on AI tools designed for secure clinical environments and the importance of HIPAA compliance in health care documentation.
- Training Future Nurses: Learn about the integration of AI into nursing education and how it prepares new nurses for the complexities of home health care.
- Generational Perspectives: There are varying attitudes toward AI adoption among different generations of nurses and the common frustrations they face with administrative tasks.
- Quality Improvement Programs: Find out how AI can enhance Quality Improvement Programs (QAPI) by automating data collection and analysis, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

About our Guest:

Linda Scott, RN, MHA, is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 40 years of post-acute care experience. Her career spans leadership roles in both for-profit and non-profit organizations, with a focus on improving patient care through innovation and technology.
Linda’s passion for home and community-based care began during her nursing training with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Atlanta, where she saw the transformative impact of home health services. This experience guided her career to key roles at the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), Johns Hopkins Home Care Group, and Columbia Homecare Group. In these positions, she developed strategies to drive growth, enhance patient care, and ensure regulatory compliance.
In 2017, Linda founded Scott’s Solutions, a consultancy supporting home care organizations with services ranging from interim management to regulatory compliance. She also leads customer success for Patrium Health, a platform using AI to simplify clinical documentation in home health.
As a public health nursing instructor at Georgetown University, Linda mentors students in applying nursing theory and critical thinking. A champion for technology and innovation, she strives to empower clinicians and advance the home health industry through cutting-edge solutions.

Jess dives into the repeatable and scalable process that is driving outcomes for agencies in the post-acute space that are committed to growth.

The Referral Growth Methodology is a structured framework that home-based care providers use to identify and maximize organic and inorganic growth opportunities, improve organizational outcomes, correlate activity to overall performance, and ultimately drive revenue growth.

This "data first" model uses the implementation of 10 growth activities, which fall into four core components:

• Growth Strategy
  • Market Analysis
  • Competitive Analysis
• Sales Planning
  • Target Identification
  • Territory Optimization
• Sales Execution
  • Current Account Planning
  • Time Management
  • Data-Driven Conversations
  • Referral Management
• Sales Support
  • Performance Reporting
  • Marketing

This approach enables agencies to conduct a critical self-examination of the business and allows leadership to analyze its strengths and weaknesses. That insight allows for a quick identification of vulnerabilities and provides an opportunity to address and reinforce those areas. At the same time, this introspection empowers agencies to quickly recognize and evaluate market threats, arming them with the ability to proactively mitigate potential risks.

This episode is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

Key Highlights:

• Statistics on Injuries: Bob references a study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which reported that from 2015 to 2020, 117,000 home care workers sought treatment for work-related injuries, with 93% being female. Notably, 15% of these injuries were attributed to violence from patients or animals.
• Risks in Home Care: Bob highlights the importance of situational awareness and preparation for staff entering potentially dangerous environments.
• Training and Awareness: Bob advocates for comprehensive training that includes situational awareness and de-escalation techniques rather than physical self-defense methods like tasers or pepper spray. He stresses that caregivers should focus on avoiding confrontations and recognizing red flags in patient behavior.
• Technological Solutions: The episode also explores the idea of using modern safety technologies, such as emergency alert systems that can connect workers to security teams or law enforcement. However, Bob cautions that these systems may not be effective in remote areas where response times could be delayed.
• Legal Considerations: The conversation touches on the legal implications of providing staff with self-defense tools. Bob advises agencies to consult legal experts before implementing such measures due to potential liability issues.

Overall, this episode serves as a critical reminder of the unique challenges faced by home care workers and underscores the need for effective training and safety protocols to protect them in their daily duties.

About our guest: For more than 20 years, Robert W. Markette, Jr., CHC, HCS-C has focused his practice on representing home health, hospice, private duty and DME providers in all aspects of their operations. With more than two decades of experience working with the these industries, Robert has developed a reputation for understanding the operational, compliance and legal/regulatory issues facing homecare providers.

Robert is recognized for his expertise in this space and is a frequent speaker on home health, hospice and private duty matters across the country. Robert has presented to the American Health Lawyers Association, the National Association for Home Health and Hospice Care, DecisionHealth as well as other national speaking events and numerous state trade association conferences and continuing education sessions.  Robert serves on the Board of the Association for Home Care Compliance.  Robert drafted the Homecare Administrator's Field Guide (currently in its 6^th edition) and the Home Health Patient Rights Policy and Procedure Manual

Robert graduated from Hanover College with a degree in Computer Science and received his law degree from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana. Robert is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association and the Indiana and Oklahoma State Bar Associations. Robert is certified in health care compliance by the Health Care Compliance Board. Robert is on the Board fo the Association for Homecare Coding and Compliance. Robert i...

Coding Corner is a resource and community for your coding and OASIS review team. 

Subscribe here: https://healthrevpartners.com/coding-and-oasis-training/ 

Ready to level up with our Precepting Partnership Program that offers individualized guidance to your clinicians? Learn more here:https://healthrevpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HealthRev-Preceptor-OneSheet-V1.pdf 

In this episode, Stephanie and Tina cover the GG Items and Responses. It's also available as a Youtube presentation: https://youtu.be/ex7aDkCv3Os 

It is important to understand that the GG items and Discharge Function Scoring must be accurately calculated as this will have a significant impact on Value Based Purchasing. Agencies are Incentivized through VBP for the reimbursement of each patient. Reimbursement will be affected by a 5% increase or decrease in payment.

Some of the GOALS of VBP: -Reduce Hospitalization and use of Emergency Department -Reduce Spending -Increase Patient Mobility -Offer a more positive experience with Home-health The old measure of OUTCOMES will be replaced with a new Discharge Function Score. This score will be between 10-60. Previously, OUTCOMES were based on the M1800s (ADLs), M1400 (dyspnea), M2020 (oral med mgmt.), and M2420 (Discharge disposition). This score will now be based on: M1400 (dyspnea), M2020 (oral med mgmt.) AND: Mobility GG Items include Rolling, Lying, Transfer ability, and Ambulation. Functional GG Items – Eating, Oral Hygiene, and Toileting Hygiene. Keep in mind, dressing and grooming are no longer included. The score will now be a sum between 10 and 60. GG ITEM RESPONSE ITEMS 06 Independent – No assist needed at all 05 Set-up or clean-up assistance – No help needed during task completion 04 Supervision/Touching assistance – Verbal cueing, touching/steadying assistance, or supervision. Help may be throughout or intermittent. 03 Partial/Moderate assistance – Helper completes less than 50% of the effort 02 Substantial/Maximum assistance – Helper completes more than 50% of the effort 01 Dependent – when two helpers are needed, that equals DEPENDENT.

ANA (Activity not Attempted) IF USED in calculation, CMS will impute this data (best estimate of what the answer should be). Don’t give CMS the control, keep it with you!

07 Patient Refused – should not be used/rarely -needs additional documentation

09 Not Applicable “09 is baseline” No attempt during or prior to the assessment 10 Not attempted due to environmental limitations, ex. Lack of equipment and weather constraints

88 Not attempted due to medical condition or safety concern (current status but should be improved at D/C) “88 is current state” due to patient’s current medical condition.

Cindy shares her top tips for new clinicians embarking on their home health journey, offering practical advice to help them navigate the challenges and opportunities in this rewarding field. Her guidance is particularly valuable for those looking to establish themselves and thrive in the home health care environment.

Drawing from her extensive experience, Cindy provides a candid and down-to-earth perspective on the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and its role in the industry. She discusses the organization's impact and relevance to home health professionals, offering a realistic view of what clinicians can expect from their attendance at NAHC- already planning to attend the Alliance conference in New Orleans!

Furthermore, Cindy delves into the crucial factors that contribute to job satisfaction for clinicians in the home health sector. She highlights key elements that can make a significant difference in one's career enjoyment and success, providing listeners with actionable insights to enhance their professional experience.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners.  

When it comes cost and time, he is looking for adding value to his team. And part of that will be bringing his team to future conferences. 

It's always great to hear from industry leaders. 

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

We discuss the incredible foundation these organizations have created and the excitement for the future with the new Alliance. 

If you want to get involved with or learn more about the Alliance, visit https://allianceforcareathome.org/ or Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcclennon-msn/ 

In this episode, Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale share their holiday excitement while discussing how home health agencies can level up! Tune in for practical advice on tackling aging accounts receivable, enhancing revenue recovery, and preparing for a successful 2025. With a mix of holiday cheer and industry insights, this is the perfect listen to kickstart your New Year!

A central theme in this episode is the discussion of aging accounts receivable (AR) and its significant impact on home health agencies. They share a compelling story about an agency that struggled with an outsourcing company that charged per claim but failed to collect payments, leading to a dire financial situation for the agency. This anecdote highlights the critical importance of choosing the right billing partner and understanding the nuances of revenue cycle management (RCM).

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own AR situations, with Mike emphasizing that many agencies may not be aware of how much money is tied up in unpaid claims. He stresses the need for a thorough analysis of aging AR and suggests that agencies should actively seek solutions to recover lost revenue. The conversation also touches on innovative strategies and services that can help agencies improve their financial health, making it a valuable segment for anyone in the home health industry looking to enhance their operations as they prepare for 2025.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

Joe brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as the executive director of the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice and founder of the groundbreaking Ohio Community at Home Network. We'll dive into his expertise in community-based care, public policy, and managed care, discussing how his background in politics has shaped his approach to healthcare consulting AND how we see AI playing a part in the future of home health. 

Don't miss out on this episode!

We explore the critical role state associations play in advocating for quality care and advancing the industry, as well as some of their post-covid membership challenges. She gets a little "nerdy" as she tells about getting a picture with home health legend Bill Dombi. This is a can't miss episode for anyone passionate about home health leadership and anyone who loves a Wisconsin accent!

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners!

Grab your coffee and join us for this inspiring blend of technology and insight. 

Like, share, and subscribe!

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

Interested in learning about the Preceptor Partnership Program mentioned in this episode? Click HERE!

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

What to Expect:
- Understanding the New Hope Assessment: We discuss how this tool will revolutionize patient care by providing a holistic view of patient needs—physical, emotional, spiritual, and social.
- Impact on Agencies: Learn about the implications for hospice agencies, including how it affects reimbursement rates and improves care coordination among healthcare teams.
- Real-Time Metrics: Discover how the New Hope assessment offers real-time insights that empower caregivers to enhance patient experiences before it's too late.

This episode is packed with valuable information for anyone involved in hospice care or interested in improving patient outcomes. Tune in to understand how "Hope is on the Way" can lead to better care for patients and families alike!

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

- The significance of timely cash posting and its impact on financial health
- Common challenges agencies face with cash posting and how to overcome them
- Best practices for maintaining accurate accounts receivable (AR)
- The importance of electronic payment setups and EMR optimization
- Strategies for effective month-end closing and communication with clients

Also in this episode are two NEW segments: Debate Corner and CMS News Updates-

This episode's debate: Is it time to get ride of the penny? Our smallest currency? 

Whether you're a home health agency owner, a billing specialist, or simply interested in improving your financial processes, this episode is packed with actionable insights and tips. Plus, don’t miss the downloadable tip sheet at the end to assess and enhance your cash posting practices!

Subscribe for more valuable content on home health, hospice, and palliative care!

We'll explore:

- New Developments for 2025: Discover the significant changes coming to GG Items, including the removal of the GG 130 and 170 discharge prediction columns, and what that means for your assessments.

- Functional Scoring Challenges: Understand the complexities of scoring and the importance of accurate documentation to ensure proper patient assessment.

- Tips and Tricks: Gain practical advice on how to effectively score GG Items and utilize caregiver input for more accurate assessments.

Read about the changes from G to GG Items in our Blog. 

Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode provides essential knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of GG Items. Tune in for a comprehensive understanding that will enhance your practice and improve patient outcomes!

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insightful episodes!

Additional Resources: https://healthrevpartners.com/resource-center/

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by Velocity, HealthRev Partners' RCM tech platform. 

In this episode, we share personal anecdotes from a recent trip to Cedar Point, where Mike and Hannah faced exhilarating rides and unexpected challenges, including a unique encounter with pesky gnats at 92 miles per hour!

But that’s not all! We’re thrilled to welcome our special guest, Annette Lee, a seasoned registered nurse and founder of Provider Insights Inc. With her extensive experience in home health and hospice, Annette sheds light on the complexities of audits, offering valuable insights on how agencies can prepare and navigate the intricate world of Medicare regulations.

Tune in as we discuss:

- The impact of audits on home health agencies
- Tips for preparing for potential audits
- The importance of documentation and compliance

Whether you’re in the home health industry or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of healthcare, this episode is packed with information and entertainment. Don’t miss it!

Subscribe to stay updated on all our latest episodes!

Brought to you by HealthRev Partners

• Promising areas where AI enhances patient care and operational efficiency
• Effectively communicating AI implementation to staff
• Maintaining a human-centered approach in AI-assisted care
• Addressing concerns about job security and technology adoption
• The importance of HIPAA compliance and data security in healthcare AI

Learn how speech recognition and AI can improve documentation, reduce clinician burnout, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply interested in the future of home health, this episode offers valuable insights into the appropriate utilization of AI in healthcare settings.

#HomeHealth #Hospice #HealthcareAI #NursingTechnology #PatientCare

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

Key topics include:
- The importance of implementation in consulting
- How to ask the right questions when hiring consultants
- The "resulting vs. consulting" philosophy
- Tailoring solutions for unique agency needs
- Integrating RCM analytics for a 360-degree view of organizational health

Learn how to avoid "mystification" in consulting and discover strategies for achieving predictable revenue in your healthcare agency. Whether you're considering hiring a consultant or looking to improve your agency's operations, this episode provides actionable advice from industry experts.

Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion that could save your agency time, money, and frustration. 

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. 

Discover strategies to optimize your agency's financial performance in light of these changes, including the importance of detailed, industry-specific budgeting. Whether you're a home health administrator, financial officer, or RCM professional, this provides essential insights to help you navigate home health reimbursement and prepare for 2025. #HomeHealth #RevenueManagement #HHProposedRule2025 #PDGM #MedicareReimbursement

Evaluating Payer Fit

Data to Track

Negotiation Approach

Want to talk with Katie? healthcarepayersc@outlook.com or at 419-466-1932

This episode is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

They share powerful patient stories illustrating how Constant Therapy empowers stroke survivors and others to take control of their recovery journey through more frequent, data-driven therapy tailored to their abilities. Mark and Veera also discuss their plans to bridge the continuity of care gap by extending this technology across acute, rehab, and home settings.

Tune in to learn more about this cutting-edge partnership improving access to quality rehabilitative care through the power of AI and digital health solutions.

This podcast is brought to you by HealthRev Partners.

In this episode, hosts Mike and Hannah discuss the importance of proper authorization and eligibility processes for home health agencies. They are joined by special guest Jamila Booker, an expert in E  & A, who provides valuable insights into navigating payer requirements, creating payer SOPs, and ensuring timely authorizations.

Key topics covered include:

- Determining if patients meet homebound criteria for home health eligibility
- Initiating authorizations within payer-specific timelines and visit limits
- Potential consequences of delayed or mismanaged authorizations
- Challenges and changes anticipated with home health authorizations

Jamila shares her expertise on streamlining authorization workflows, understanding payer nuances, and the crucial role of eligibility and authorization management for home health agencies. Don't miss this informative discussion packed with practical tips and industry knowledge.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

In this episode, we have a Q&A session with Ashley Benson, an expert on medical review activity, quality improvement programs, and OASIS coding accuracy. Ashley provides valuable insights to help home health agencies navigate the complexities of these critical areas.

Some key takeaways:

- Strategies for responding accurately and timely to different types of medical review audits to mitigate denial risks. The top denial reasons include not submitting records on time, insufficient face-to-face documentation, and certification/plan of care issues.

- Best practices for developing an effective and compliant Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. This includes understanding regulatory requirements, collecting and analyzing relevant data, and focusing on health outcomes, patient safety, and quality of care.

- Importance of keeping clinicians up-to-date on OASIS coding changes, especially the new GG functional items that will impact Home Health Value-Based Purchasing payments starting in 2025.

Ashley will be speaking at the upcoming Home Health Quality Outcomes and Documentation Conference hosted by Decision Health on September 16th. Use the promo code QUALITY75 for a $75 discount when registering at decisionhealth.com/QOD2024.

Kwema's technology aims to enhance the safety and security of healthcare environments by providing clinicians with discreet, wearable devices that can alert security personnel or colleagues in the event of an emergency. This technology is particularly crucial given the alarming rise in incidents of workplace violence against healthcare workers, which has become an increasingly pressing concern in the industry.

By leveraging advanced technology and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by clinicians, Kwema is working to create a safer and more secure work environment for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. The company's innovative approach to clinician safety has the potential to make a significant impact on the healthcare industry and the well-being of its workforce.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. Grow your mission with a high powered revenue cycle management partner. 

Kelci emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, empathy, and leading by example to foster trust with both patients and staff. She highlights the need to address concerns proactively, be accessible, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the well-being of the team. 

Additionally, Kelci reveals the three characteristics she looks for when hiring staff at any level to ensure they are trustworthy and able to build trust with patients. 

Ultimately, Kelci's insights underscore the critical role of trust in the home health and hospice industry, where the well-being of patients and the dedication of staff are paramount. By prioritizing transparent communication, empathy, and employee development, leaders can navigate times of change and maintain the trust that is essential for delivering exceptional care. 

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

Our in-depth conversation covers a range of topics, including:

1. The inspiration behind the development of Velocity and how it differs from other RCM software solutions on the market.

2. The key features and capabilities of the Velocity platform, such as its real-time analytics and centralized data management capabilities.

3. The common pain points and challenges that Velocity is designed to address for growing multi-site agencies in the home health, hospice, and palliative care sectors.

4. The onboarding and ongoing support provided by HealthRev Partners to ensure a smooth transition and successful adoption of Velocity by their customers.

5. The integration capabilities of the Velocity platform with other key systems and technologies, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and billing systems.

6. HealthRev Partners' plans for the future development and enhancement of the Velocity SaaS solution to stay ahead of the evolving needs of the home health, hospice, and palliative care industries.

7. The most significant benefits that Velocity can deliver to agencies in terms of improving their financial performance, operational efficiency, and overall business outcomes.

Don't miss this insightful and informative interview as we delve deep into the transformative power of Velocity SaaS. Tune in now to learn how this innovative solution can revolutionize revenue cycle management for your home health, hospice, or palliative care agency.

Schedule a DEMO of Velocity TODAY to learn more! 

https://healthrevpartners.com/speak-to-specialist/

Marcus discusses his path to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-leadership and innovation in navigating the dynamic healthcare industry. He delves into key concepts from his book, highlighting the need for businesses to embrace change and lead through moments of disruption.

The conversation touches on the role of ambitious creative rebels in entrepreneurship, the significance of marketing in business ownership, and the power of thinking outside the box to stand out in a competitive market. Marcus’s insights on differentiation, ingenuity, and reinvention offer valuable lessons for listeners across various sectors.

Join Michael, Hannah, and Marcus as they explore leadership, innovation, and thriving. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that sheds light on the essence of embracing change and driving success through creativity and resilience.

This podcast is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

The platform ensures accurate transcriptions, maintains patient information security, and keeps home health agencies compliant with healthcare regulations. It also facilitates interoperability with other healthcare systems and enhances the accuracy and completeness of documentation, ultimately giving clinicians more time back in their day. nVoq focuses on organizational readiness and easy adoption for effective use of the technology. Listeners can find more about nVoq on their website.

To learn more, visit ⁠nVoq’s website: ⁠https://www.nvoq.com/

This podcast is brought to you by⁠ HealthRev Partners,⁠ offering revenue cycle management services powered by Velocity, the most advanced coding and billing software in the market.

Struggling with revenue cycle management (RCM) in your home health business? In this episode of the Home Health Revealed podcast, discover the top 5 key metrics you need to track and improve for optimal performance in 2024.

This episode dives deep into:

• Days Sales Outstanding (DSO): Keep your cash flowing smoothly with actionable tips to bring DSO down to 45-60 days.

• Denial Rate: Slash denials to less than 5% and maximize reimbursements with expert strategies.

• First Pass Acceptance Rate (FPAR): Achieve a 95% FPAR for cleaner claims and faster payments.

• Claims Metrics: Eliminate backlogs and ensure timely billing with efficient processes.

• Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Metrics: Understand the VBP clinical and operational data and optimize your performance for future success.

Plus, gain valuable insights on:

Implementing a⁠ scorecard to track progress⁠ and measure impact.

Facilitating regular team discussions for improved collaboration. Don’t miss out! Listen to the Home Health Revealed podcast today and unlock the secrets to optimized RCM and a thriving home health business.

Our goal as a company is to help agencies in the home health, hospice, and palliative care space meet the needs of their patients by fulfilling what they have been called to do.

Check out healthrevpartners.com for more information.

We would love to hear from you! What was your favorite episode in 2023? Email connect@healthrevpartners.com.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of prioritizing clinician safety in home health. By recognizing the importance of clinician safety and taking proactive steps to address the specific risks of the home health environment, we can create a safer workplace for these dedicated professionals and ensure they can continue delivering essential care to patients in their homes.

The link to the AHCC Talk podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahcc-talk/id1719157833⁠

The link to download the 2024 home health catalog, including a 15% off code: ⁠https://interactive.hcpro.com/2024hhcatalog⁠

HealthRev Partners also offers a team of revenue cycle experts to help maximize revenue recovery. For a free consultation, visit healthrevpartners.com.

To learn more, email connect@healthrevpartners.com or apply at:

https://healthrev.flychain.us/

Discover insights from AHCC Talk, a valuable resource for home health and hospice agencies. Stay tuned as our panel discusses hospice coding and compliance, emphasizing the significance of staying updated on regulatory changes and best practices.

Enhance patient outcomes by prioritizing accurate coding practices in hospice care settings. Don’t miss out on the 2024 home health catalog with a 15% discount coupon. Subscribe to AHCC Talk for regular updates on compliance in hospice coding. Thank you for supporting Home Health Revealed.

The link to download the 2024 home health catalog, including a 15% off code: ⁠https://interactive.hcpro.com/2024hhcatalog

BetterRX opens the conversation by shedding light on the challenges of medication management in hospice care, emphasizing the delicate balance between addressing symptoms effectively and controlling costs. With insightful strategies for optimizing drug regimens and deprescribing, BetterRX introduces a groundbreaking approach that tailors medications to each patient's unique needs, steering clear of unnecessary expenses.

The discussion takes an innovative turn as BetterRX explores the role of technology in improving medication management. From formulary plans to streamlined communication, discover how technology simplifies processes, providing immediate recommendations and enhancing collaboration among hospice providers, hospitals, and specialists.

Listen in as BetterRX shares a real-world example of successful collaboration, illustrating how a united front among healthcare organizations can improve patient outcomes while effectively managing costs. Uncover the challenges providers face in coordinating care and the strategies they can implement to strike the delicate balance between cost control and quality.

The episode concludes with a thought-provoking exploration of ethical considerations in cost-saving measures. BetterRX emphasizes the importance of maintaining patients' comfort and dignity in end-of-life care, leaving listeners with key takeaways and best practices for providers and families.

As the hosts wrap up, BetterRX offers insights into the future of hospice care cost management and collaboration. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that transcends dollars and cents, focusing on the impact of thoughtful care on patients' lives. Discover the keys to achieving a harmonious balance between cost control and compassionate end-of-life care.

Learn the critical questions agencies should ask their RCM partners regarding real-time financial data accessibility and communication of accounts receivable status. They stress that relying on outdated data, such as monthly or quarterly reports, can hinder decision-making and necessary adjustments.

The discussion revolves around the benefits of real-time data, including maintaining a healthy cash flow, tracking claim statuses, identifying and rectifying errors promptly, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

The role of real-time data in assessing the efficiency of RCM processes is outlined, identifying bottlenecks, and improving overall operational efficiency. They encourage agencies to ask detailed questions of their Electronic Health Record (EHR) or RCM partner to ensure the granularity and timeliness of the data received.

Michael and Hannah conclude by highlighting how real-time data facilitates proactive issue resolution, helps monitor the performance of outsourced RCM companies, and ensures compliance with privacy regulations in the healthcare industry. They stress that access to current and accurate data is indispensable for informed decision-making, optimizing revenue generation, and maintaining the overall integrity of the revenue cycle management process.

Effective management of denials and appeals is essential for financial stability and maintaining quality care standards. Understanding the reasons behind each denial is the first step, achieved through meticulous review of payer feedback to identify patterns and systemic issues hindering reimbursement.

Hannah highlights the significance of comprehensive documentation for successful appeals. Ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with payer requirements is crucial. Regular training sessions to keep staff updated on regulation changes foster a culture of compliance, reducing the likelihood of errors.

The establishment of clear internal processes as a daily compass, defining roles, setting timelines, and establishing communication channels. Monitoring denial trends enables identification of root causes and implementation of corrective actions, fortifying the agency against financial risks.

Often overlooked is the aspect of communication with payers, a crucial element in denial management. They stress the strategic use of technology not only to react to denials but proactively shape a resilient reimbursement process.

Hannah concludes by underlining the significance of proactive denial and appeal management, urging listeners not to put it off.

Don't miss the next episode: a discussion on KPIs, reporting, and analytic tools within RCM (Revenue Cycle Management). Join them for insights into shaping a sustainable future for home health agencies.

Hannah walks through the steps for entering 2024 with financial peace of mind through HealthRev Partners' Revenue Recovery Agreement. Michael and Hannah share insights on the intricacies of the billing process, stressing the significance of accurate documentation from the patient's referral. They offer practical tips, such as verifying insurance cards and understanding payors.

Michael shifts the focus to measures agencies should take regarding their internal teams or partners, including qualifications of coders and reviewers, familiarity with Medicare guidelines, and EHR expertise. Hannah highlights the addition of HealthRev's eligibility and authorizations service, underscoring its role in preventing revenue loss. Michael stresses the importance of getting this aspect of revenue cycle management right and suggests considering outsourcing.

The next episode, which will cover the handling of denials and appeals in the healthcare revenue landscape.

Find more information about Jodi at https://www.jodibondinorgaard.com/

This podcast is brought to you by HealthRev Partners

Alicia Marr brings over two decades of leadership experience in home health and hospice care to our discussion. Before taking the helm at Excelin Health, she played pivotal roles in various clinical and operational positions within private, private equity-sponsored, and public organizations. Alicia's expertise extends to orchestrating clinical network integrations between post-acute service lines, making her the perfect guest to unravel the complexities and solutions of home health challenges.

In November 2019, Alicia stepped into the role of CEO at Excelin Health, a private equity-backed company that spans 23 service sites across three states. Her leadership has been instrumental in steering Excelin Health towards clinical success, operational efficiencies, and sustained growth, which are essential for thriving in today's healthcare environment.

In this episode, we focus on the core pillars of Excelin Health's success: centralization and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) solutions. Alicia's journey with Excelin Health showcases how centralization of operations and data management can be a game-changer in healthcare. They have tackled the complexity of managing patient data in home health by centralizing it for reliability and consistency, even across multiple states with varying regulations.

The conversation then delves into the intricate world of billing efficiency. Alicia explains how Excelin Health handles billing complexities in home health, dispelling the misconception that it's as simple as clicking a button. Billing complexities are further compounded by the shifting payer mix from traditional Medicare to various replacement plans, a challenge Excelin Health tackles by centralizing their RCM functions and fostering clear communication between departments.

Regulations and compliance management are another vital aspect of home health agencies. Alicia highlights the significance of a strong compliance program and how they've integrated compliance from an employee's first day. Excelin Health has developed an internal compliance department that ensures regulatory and financial compliance, working in partnership with centralized functions to scale while minimizing risks.

The podcast also explores how streamlined workflow standardization is pivotal to the agency's efficiency. Excelin Health is continually redefining processes to maximize efficiency and track patient progress while evaluating and improving workflow streams. Centralization plays a significant role in enhancing workflow consistency.

Real-time data is the linchpin of decision-making in today's healthcare landscape, and Alicia underscores its importance. Excelin Health employs KPI dashboards that provide real-time insights into agency activities, enabling timely decision-making for better patient care and operational efficiency.

Patient engagement is a cornerstone of healthcare, and Excelin Health has implemented innovative solutions to enhance it. They utilize an app-based patient engagement system to keep patient engagement at the forefront of their daily operations.

Centralization has allowed agencies like Excelin Health to scale their operations effectively and efficiently. By centralizing functions and reducing duplication at the branch level, they've streamlined administrative tasks, saving both time and money while ensuring clinicians can focus on providing excellent patient care.

For more information or to reach out to Alicia Marr, you can contact her via email at amarr@excelin.com or visit Excelin Health's website at www.excelin.com. Don't miss this episode of Home Health Revealed for a deep dive into home health solutions that are shaping the future of patient care.

Learn about the theme, the incredible speakers and presenters
and about things to do at the venue!

Discover practical solutions and technologies for streamlining HR tasks, such as applicant tracking systems and HR software. Real-world success stories illustrate the tangible benefits, such as cost savings and enhanced patient care.

Stay informed by subscribing, rating, and reviewing Home Health Revealed. Join us next time as we continue to delve into the world of home health, hospice, and palliative care. Until then, strive for HR excellence, particularly if you're in the home health care industry.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners.

In this episode, your hosts, Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale, engage in a dynamic Q&A session. They delve into the core elements of successful post-acquisition integration, exploring the challenges and strategies involved in blending diverse organizational cultures, preserving patient-centric care, and harmonizing technology systems.

Learn how cultural alignment plays a pivotal role in fostering a collaborative environment and discover the importance of transparent communication in creating a unified culture. Discover strategies to ensure that patient care remains a top priority throughout the integration process, and gain insights into how technology integration is managed to streamline operations and safeguard data security.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a business enthusiast, or simply curious about the inner workings of healthcare mergers and acquisitions, this episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the art and science of seamless integration. Tune in for actionable insights and practical takeaways that can shape the future of post acute services.

Don't miss this engaging episode filled with expert advice, real-world examples, and in-depth discussions on the critical aspects of post-acquisition integration.

Brandon Lang began his healthcare journey as an EMT at 19, working his way through nursing school and eventually becoming a flight nurse, with over 17 years in the air medical industry. After realizing the toll corporate healthcare was taking on his life, he purchased Haggai Healthcare Corp in 2020, transitioning from emergency medicine to home health. In 2022, he founded The Drip IV Infusion, a concierge healthcare business centered on wellness, driven by his faith, family, and a dedicated team's commitment to patient care.

Home health infusion therapy is a specialized area of healthcare that involves the administration of medications, fluids, or other treatments directly into a patient's bloodstream or tissues in the comfort of their home, particularly beneficial for patients who require long-term treatments or have difficulty accessing healthcare facilities.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners.

She is founder of the non-profit, IDEAL for Healthcare, catalyzing upward mobility and increasing access for women in healthcare.

Kristen talks about her personal career change, a story of resilience, and the changes within the overall industry, highlighting the KEY to retention of employees.

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners.

Join us as we uncover the different types of consulting projects for intake and SOC processes. Discover how agencies are centralizing various functions to a shared services team and the impact it has on streamlining operations.

We tackle one of the biggest challenges faced by healthcare agencies: achieving a quick and efficient intake process. Learn about the hurdles that can arise, including the need for outsourced authorization and eligibility processes. We'll discuss strategies to overcome these obstacles and improve overall efficiency.

RCM (Revenue Cycle Management) takes center stage as we dive into process optimization and team staffing assessments. Explore effective workflow and task assignments that can transform RCM processes, leading to improved outcomes and revenue optimization. We'll also address common client inefficiencies and identify areas for improvement.

No system is perfect, and healthcare agencies face their fair share of system issues. Discover common system challenges and gain valuable insights into mitigating these issues to enhance operational performance.

DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) can significantly impact the financial health of healthcare agencies. We analyze the factors that contribute to higher DSO. Learn how to identify and address these issues to achieve a more favorable financial position.

Effective reporting and data capture are crucial for informed decision-making. We explore the RCM reporting needs of healthcare agencies and the importance of capturing accurate and comprehensive data. Discover the benefits of robust reporting capabilities and how they can drive velocity and success.

Adjustments and write-off reasons play a vital role in revenue management. We analyze the most common types of adjustments and write-offs encountered in healthcare agencies. Managing these processes effectively optimizes revenue and financial stability.

Finally, we address the reporting requirements and expectations of healthcare agencies. Uncover the types of reporting agencies need and explore the capabilities of velocity reporting. Discover how these reporting tools can empower agencies to make data-driven decisions and achieve operational excellence.

Unlock the secrets to transforming your agency's operations, streamlining processes, and maximizing revenue. Get ready to revolutionize your healthcare consulting journey!

Shirley dispels the assumption that compliance equals quality, which is not the only component to true quality. Quality also includes financial performance, client and employee surveys, and communication with clients and employees. 

Shirley gives useful advice on how to assess and improve processes within a home health agency: care, reimbursement, outcomes, and reporting systems. To tackle service-related problems, administrators must first know there is a problem and use reporting systems to filter results. Training is usually the expected course of action for a service-related concern but there are other important ways to make data meaningful. 

Perhaps most important is that activities should be communicated in writing or via a webcast (and that the response should be formatted and look pleasant to the eye!) It is also important to share the numbers to show the volume of responses and to show those whose input wasn't chosen why.

Shirley gives simple steps an agency can use to improve employee engagement and gain feedback to help an agency increase in QUALITY!

Topics include: What are the most common challenges that kill revenue? How do we staff appropriately? What are some strategies around compensation?

What is the best way to track productivity?

How to position an agency to sell?

This episode also includes instructions on calculating and managing Days Sales Outstanding. You can access that resource HERE: ⁠https://healthrevpartners.com/days-sales-outstanding-calculator/⁠

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by ⁠Velocity⁠, the most advanced coding and billing software on the market for transparency, analytics, and clinical intelligence.

In this episode, Anna Powers sits down to share some of her very real (and sometimes funny) experiences in the field and the seriousness of being prepared to take necessary steps to protect clinicians. 

Home Health Revealed is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. Grow your agency and expand your mission with a high power revenue cycle management partner. Powered by Velocity, the most advanced coding and billing software in the market for transparency, analytics and clinical intelligence. 

Lisa Von Lehmden has been working within Home and Community Based Services since 2004. She started her career as a Community Education Liaison and has watched the industry transform itself by way of acuity levels, technical innovations, and most recently a shift towards the demand of homecare agencies to negotiate payment models that allow them to sustain and continue providing care to the most frail, sick and disabled. After purchasing her agency in 2014 while pregnant with her son Bradley, Lisa discovered firsthand the operational barriers agencies face on a daily basis. As the chair of the Ohio Council for Home Health Care and Hospice, Lisa spends a large amount of her time advocating for rate change, better care delivery models, and therefore greater access for Ohio based patients and the agencies that serve them.

As a leading industry voice, the Ohio Council for Home Health Care and Hospice is advancing industry standards by providing home and community-based organizations with the advocacy, education, and regulatory support they need to help ensure that individuals receive the highest level of dignity, care, and respect.

This podcast is brought to you by HealthRev Partners. Grow your agency and expand your mission with a high power revenue cycle management partner. Powered by Velocity, the mst advanced coding and billing software in the market, for transparency, analytics and clinical intelligence.

Join Amy Rose from Axxess as she talks with Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale :

Amy Rose is the director of the palliative care solutions for Axxess, responsible for providing strategic direction and delivery of Axxess Palliative Care, the first standalone palliative software solution. She previously served as chief operating officer for Sangre de Cristo Community Care, overseeing the acquisition of three home health organizations and creating urban and rural palliative practices in inpatient, home care and clinical settings.

What is palliative care?

· Palliative care is not hospice care

· There is no one “right way” to do palliative care

· Differentiating inpatient palliative care from community-based palliative care

· Palliative care can increase referrals to other service lines.

Who benefits from receiving palliative care?

How do patients typically pay for palliative care?

How can palliative care be a profitable service line to add to your agency?

What are some operational indicators to know if palliative care is the right service line to add?

What are the professional benefits of working in palliative care?

How is palliative care an effective conduit to an agency being agile?

Why is Axxess leaning heavily on the idea of being agile right now?

Links:

AGILE:

Axxess: https://www.axxess.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/axxess-consult/

What processes are impacted and what are the typical results of an investment in this kind of technology? 

Join your hosts, Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale as they talk with Jared Robey from Worldview Ltd. about how automation is creating more efficient work flows in the home health, hospice and palliative spaces. 

Learn more about Worldview Ltd. :

Website – www.worldviewltd.com

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldviewltd

Twitter – https://twitter.com/WorldViewLtd

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WorldViewLTD

Home Health Revealed is sponsored by HealthRev Partners, Grow your agency and expand your mission with a high power revenue cycle management partner.

Join Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale as they talk with Jeanne Coy, Clinical Concierge at Team Select Home Care, about what they are doing to prepare their agency for upcoming changes. 

What types of trainings are they providing to their clinicians and other staff members? 

How are expectations for weekly/monthly productivity being adjusted as they account for the learning curve? 

What benchmarks are being used to analyze effectiveness or deficiencies? 

What on-going supports or resources will be provided to clinicians? 

And maybe most importantly to Team Select- how is the morale of the clinicians being protected? 

Access FREE OASIS-E Trainings HERE

Learn more about Velocity- the analytic platform that is providing agencies the data they need to make informed decisions. 

This podcast is hosted by HealthRev Partners. The high-powered revenue cycle management partner you can trust. 

Get answers to questions:

What is a clearinghouse or gateway and how does it work with an EMR?

What are the benefits of choosing a clearinghouse separate from your medical records system?

What are some of the challenges with payor set-ups and how are agencies meeting those challenges?

When Waystar acquired esolutions, it became the first technology to unite government and commercial payments onto a single payment platform, bringing immense value to providers. How is this system optimizing the revenue cycle?

Bio: Tim Dawson is responsible for driving new business development at Waystar. With multiple years of experience selling cloud-based revenue cycle technology, he specializes in the post-acute market, helping skilled nursing and home health and hospice facilities realize their financial goals.

Find up to date information at our website:

https://healthrevpartners.com/oasis-e/

Looking for an easy to use cheat sheet? Here is our easy to use Crosswalk:

https://healthrevpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/OE-Crosswalk.pdf

FREE Trainings can be found at this link:

https://healthrevpartners.com/oasis-e/

Facebook Forum to interact with our VP of Education and Development, Anna Powers and our VP of Coding and OASIS Review, Jessica Cook as well as others in the Home Health industry:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1527350537702362

The following trainings can be purchased at:

https://healthrevpartners.com/shop/

Webinar 1. Cognitive and Mood Assessment Presentation

Gain an understanding of the official guidance related to the following new/modified OASIS items:

1. Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) C0100-C0500

2. Signs and Symptoms of Delirium C1310

3. Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to9) D0150-D0160

4. Notable Change to Existing Item M2102F

Webinar 2. Social Determinants of Health and Transfer of Health Information

Gain an understanding of the official guidance related to the following new/updated OASIS items:

1. Administrative Items A1005-A1250

2. Transfer of Health Information A2120-A2124

3. Health Literacy, Vision and Hearing B0200-B1300

4. Social Isolation D0700

5. Notable Change to Existing OASIS Item M2401

Webinar 3. Health Conditions, Standard Assessment, and Special Treatments

Gain an understanding of the official guidance related to the following new/modified OASIS items:

1. Pain assessment J0510-J0530

2. Nutrition K0520

3. High Risk Drug Classes and Indications N0415

4. Special Treatment, Programs and Procedures O0110

5. Notable change to Existing OASIS Item GG items

Velocity is our analytic platform. Learn more about Velocity: 

https://healthrevpartners.com/velocity/

You can reach our team by emailing connect@healthrevpartners.com

Myth #1- Sales are all about the money

Myth #2- The best products always win

Myth #3- Bigger is better

Myth #4- Pricing timelines “I can get you this price if you sign today”

Myth #5- Sharing competitors

Myth #6- The agreement can’t be changed

Myth #7- Data showing results 

Myth #8- References tell the story

Myth #9- Using your software vendor for billing and coding is the best option

Myth #10- They are all the same

Home Health Revealed is sponsored by HealthRev Partners

Join hosts, Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale as they sit down with Rich Berner to answer questions about the future of home health and hospice. 

What type of growth strategies should be considered? 

How do agencies need to incorporate technology strategies? 

If putting a growth and technology strategy in place, should agencies consider a RCM partner? 

What is the number one criteria agency buyers are seeking? 

Rich Berner serves as a board member and Chief Executive Officer of Complia Health – a leading provider of EMR solutions, technology, and services for pre- and post-acute care agencies. As CEO, he guides the company’s direction to help their clients improve the quality of life and healthcare experience of the populations they manage, while fulfilling the company’s purpose of connecting administrators, caregivers, consumers, and their families on the consumers’ terms​.

With over 25 years across business-to-business and business-to-consumer industries in established and emerging markets, Rich previously served as CEO of MDLive; President for Allscripts’ International & Acute division including Allscripts’ Sunrise EMR; and in various leadership roles with Caradigm, a Microsoft/GE joint venture; Cerner Corporation; FreeDrive; Tellabs; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and others.

Rich graduated as an Evans Scholar from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Teaching of Computer Science.

Ms. Sutter’s previous work as a hospice social worker, counseling patients and families at end-of-life, has been a guiding point for her work and a reminder of who is at the core of any program on advance care planning and end of life decision making in which she is involved. Additionally, the research and writing of her master’s thesis entitled “Developing ethnic competence in social work practice” has directed the way she approaches a community centered program.

Ms. Sutter is the author of Where Do We Begin: A Guide to Elder Caregiving.

In this episode of Home Health Revealed, Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale sit down with Carla to discuss how to have those meaningful conversations about end of life directives. 

What keeps people from having these important conversations? 

How can home health and hospice professionals be prepared to talk about these plans? 

How can you write your own end of life directive? 

How will you know that your wishes will be honored? 

Whether it’s through a state organization, place of faith or other resource, Carla encourages us to create a plan for the end of life earlier than later. 

Some additional resources: 

Arizona Resources on Advance Care Planning

You can access advance directives forms at no cost in several locations.

· Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry | azhdr.org

· Arizona Attorney General Life Care Planning (Arizona)| azag.gov/seniors/life-care-planning

· Five Wishes | fivewishes.org 

· PREPARE | prepareforyourcare.org

Many resources provide tools to start a conversation about advance care planning with loved ones and help guide your own decision-making.

· Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry | azhdr.org

· Arizona End of Life Care Partnership | azendoflifecare.org

· The Conversation Project | theconversationproject.org

· PREPARE | prepareforyourcare.org

· SAGE – LGBT Elders Resources | sageusa.org

· Go Wish Game | gowish.org

· Death Over Dinner | deathoverdinner.org

· Veterans Advance Care Planning | caregiver.va.gov

For more information, visit AZHDR.org.

Home Health Revealed is hosted by HealthRev Partners. 

What if time was created to protect you? How can we use it to. better our lives and how to serve others? Lack of time management causes anxiety and stress, sleep issues and even anger or depression. In the work place, it can cause burnout. As leaders, our employees have lives outside of work. Most people are fighting a battle against time before they even grab their favorite cup of coffee. 

Michael gives his personal example of how he sets his daily schedule to renew his mind and be prepared for life’s challenges and serve others through what he calls, “Me Inc.”

When is comes to finding a coding company, never make decision on price alone. Use the given steps to find the right partnership. As consumers, we are in pursuit of value that fits the price. What you are really looking for is quality, compliance, data and a brand that fits your company. 

To regain control of collections, there are some common problems we have identified. From Payor set-up and intake to posting payments and claim adjustments, Home Health Revealed lists the steps to take back the process and jump start your collections. 

Automation is really just the use of machines with process automation capabilities to help with processes.

Many menial and repetitive tasks are being replaced with robots. With the staff shortage, the use of automation is becoming even more important. AI or Artificial intelligence is also being used. Speech recognition, image recognition, and censors are being used to create processes and make decisions.

Machines or bots are programmed to perform tasks as a human would based on a set of parameters. Built using algorithms or mathematical functions. We use is all the time in social media, Alexa, smart phones, vehicles. It’s a series of inputs and outputs. It can only respond based on its programming.

We have really identified three major parts of the home health process that have been impacted by automation: those are the intake process, the patient care portion, and then the revenue cycle.

Listen to learn more about each of those aspect. 

AND….

We’re taking this show on the road! Home Health Revealed is going “on tour” so to speak. We will be recording live at conferences and trade shows this summer. 

What is the Great Resignation?  In this episode, Michael Greenlee and Hannah Vale take a look at the generational trends in the workforce and talk about how to attract employees from the different generations. 

The statistics may surprise you. 

Is there such thing as loyalty to employers? 

Be sure to let us know what your Commandments of Employment are!

This episode is powered by Velocity. 

Are you appropriately using clinician collaboration? Who is considered a collaborating clinician?

How do you know if you are writing a good plan of care? Where do you confirm what needs to be on the POC?

Is it a good idea to create cookie cutter POCs? Can a POC be too long? How does the clinician determine what interventions the patient needs on their POC? 

What does it mean to assess a “paper patient”?

Join Michael Greenlee, Hannah Vale, and Anna Powers as they discuss how to author the best documentation. 

Home Health Revealed is sponsored by HealthRev Partners

Home Health Revealed is sponsored by HealthRev Partners. Their home health solutions and hospice solutions combine technology, service, and analytics to uncover opportunities for improvement and drive peak financial performance.

Patti Heid, Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at the Home Care Association of Florida, talks with us about how associations are helping providers maintain compliance while navigating the rapid changes coming in 2022. From advocacy to education and on-going support.

How should agencies prepare for the pending vaccine mandates?

What does the transition from the No-Pay RAP to the NOA look like for agencies?

What are staffing shortages really costing agencies?

Patti, Michael and Hannah discusses and give practical information on these topics and how associations can provide support as we head into 2022.

Home Health Revealed is sponsored by HealthRev Partners. Grow your agency and expand your mission with a high power revenue cycle management partner.

In this episode of Home Health Revealed, Jessica Cook, Director of Coding and OASIS Review with HealthRev Partners answers our questions. 

When it comes to OASIS, CMS wants to see improvement. Scoring an OASIS correctly is crucial to ensure proper payment and outcomes. Outcomes and star ratings go hand in hand because the OASIS items that are considered 5 Star items also impact the agency’s overall ratings. 

Every patient must have a specific plan of care. The interventions and goals must be specific to the patient. And the primary diagnosis or primary focus of care should always be on the plan of care. 

Analytics are also essential to helping agencies improve their documentation and provide education. 

Whether an agency is looking to outsource or they are coding and reviewing in-house, there are three things Jessica says to look for when considering OASIS documentation: 

1. Is the clinician’s OASIS a true reflection of the care the patient needs and is receiving? 

2. Is the agency potentially leaving more on the table and do they know? 

3. What impact are they having on outcomes and star ratings? 

When a patient is looking for care, they are depending on the ratings of an agency as an indication of whether they will also receive quality care. Documentation affects reimbursement, ratings, and ultimately the brand of the home health agency. 

Katherine Piette is the CEO and Co-Founder of Corstrata. As a 20+ year post-acute, healthcare executive, Katherine has served in quality, marketing, and operational roles. She brings extensive experience in Telehealth, continuous process improvement, project planning, and organizational redesign for care management and high-opportunity, high-cost populations including wounds and ostomies. 

Alicia Jenkins, RN, BS, CWCN, serves as Corstrata’s Clinical Director of Provider Services. Alicia is a recognized, experienced Wound Consultant and leader in Home Health, Hospice, and post-acute settings. With more than 20 years of experience in post-acute care, she has extensive knowledge of virtual wound management and a proven history of improving patient and business outcomes. She offers a deep perspective on the opportunities for post-acute providers with wound and ostomy patients. 

Wounds are respected in post acute as high utilizers of clinical time and wound supply resources. There is lack of access to wound experts to help improve treatment plans and financial and clinical outcomes associated with wound patients. 

In this episode we talk about: 

1. How big of a problem is wound care in the home health industry and what does it mean if a wound isn’t treated properly?

2. What should be included in a successful home health wound care program?

3. What are biggest gaps seen within wound care, industry-wide?

4. Why is identification and staging of wounds so critical for documentation? 

5. How can agencies reduce face to face visits and increase healing time?

7. What new trends are being seen in care delivery? And how does partnering with a wound care expert benefit a home health agency?

6. What are the benefits of tech-enabled wound care? 

How big of a problem is wound care? 

There is a lack of knowledge regarding wounds and how to address them and take care of them. Wounds are seen across all diagnoses. Frequently patients come out of the hospital with a wound(s) that linger. It’s a challenge for the patient because it’s painful, maybe odorous and takes time to heal. An average of about 30% of the patient population in home health has a wound. The knowledge to care for that patient need is very important. 

Not only does it affect the patient, it has financial implications within the home health agency, including high supply costs. 

What are the components of a successful wound care program? Katherine and Alicia give us the 6 key ingredients to building a comprehensive wound and skin integrity policy and treatment plan. One of those is the access to certified wound care specialists. 

Home health wound care documentation effects treatment plan, outcomes, and reimbursement. How should pressure injuries be staged according to the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel? Reimbursement is dependent on appropriate and thorough documentation, coding, and OASIS outcomes. It is important for agencies to have access to wound experts; Tech can enable clinicians to analyze information at the bedside. 

Corstrata is a specialized Telehealth services company that offers virtual access to certified wound and ostomy specialists to improve patient outcomes and lower costs. Call 800-566-1307 for more information. 

Josh shares his raw, personal story about going from the corporate world to woodworking to mastering SEO. He talks about the basic of marketing, types of content, and how to create a marketing plan. 

Learn more abut the basics of marketing: traffic and conversions. Marketing strategy is so simple but it requires a routine. Learn how you can achieve success with any platform. Do one thing consistently for an extended amount of time. 

The places you can publish and the types of content you can create are limitless. 

There are three types of content: 

1. Spoken word

2. Video

3. Written 

Begin with one content form to produce content consistently on a particular platform and become the authority. 

When choosing your content, picture the person you are serving. Taking care of a person is how you get your page to be seen. Write or create to a specific person to answer their question or solve their problem. 

Josh talks about how to create a marketing plan that can be done in-house through his system: Explore. Analyze. Adapt. 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) means getting your website ranked for key phrases that people are searching for. Josh explains how Google is ranking content. 

What is the difference in marketing and advertising? One is “free”

In the home health and hospice field, as agencies are trying to grow and scale, they must create a plan that is consistent. 

What is the difference in working with a marketing agency versus an individual? 

Incorporating culture and portraying the heart of the company is so important to send in your marketing message. 

Resources mentioned in this podcast: 

Create, Verify, and Optimize My Business 

HealthRev Partners 

Looking for information on home health and hospice coding or home health and hospice billing? Mention this podcast and get up to $500 off your first three months of service with a 12-month agreement. 

The Home Health Revealed Podcast is sponsored by HealthRev Partners. So, for the kick off episode, we wanted to hear from Michael Greenlee, Founder and CEO of HealthRev Partners. He talks about why and how he decided to start his RCM (revenue cycle management) management. Find out how he models his business to build a team. He gives advice on hiring using profiling the strengths and skills of his employees, creating performance matrices to pay salespeople and service providers so that they are committed to the vision of the company. 

Within his company, everyone has a voice. He believes that within his company people can disagree and be candid so long as it comes from a place of passion. 

Coding and Billing can be a commodity; What makes HealthRev Partners different is that they view their role as a partner to home health and hospice agencies. 

What makes the company great is the people behind the services that are provided. You can’t run a company without great people and a great solution. 

He tells some heartwarming stories from his childhood that helped shaped his philosophies of life and who he is today. “Always be a man of your word.”

What differentiates HealthRev Partners from other coding and billing services is their dedication to analytics. Velocity gives you all the analytics you need to make wise decisions and find any gaps in productivity. 

You can reach out to Michael or HealthRev Partners for more information on Velocity or to learn more about their services. 

www.healthrevpartners.com

Join us in the next episode as we hear from a leader in SEO marketing and learn how you can grow your agency from an SEO perspective.