Continuing Education is perfect for a (1) designated Administrator or Alternate who must comply with TAC §558.260, and (2) a prior administrator or alternate not currently designated but maintaining compliance with TAC §558.260, and (3) anyone who wants to improve their knowledge on a broad range of topics specific to TX HCSSAs.
Continuing Education programs are added throughout the year soon after TAHC&H conferences/events conclude. All programs are à la carte, that is, you have the flexibility to browse and order programs that suit your specific needs and are applicable to your role and responsibility.
[3045] So You Think Your Compliance
Program is Effective?
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:Can you show an "effective" compliance program?
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Faculty: Jennifer Papapanagiotou, JD and Richard Pecore, JD
Program Description: Effectiveness is the new standard for compliance programs.
It is no longer good enough simply to have a compliance program; now you must show that it is an "effective" compliance program.
This presentation will review how to assess your compliance program for effectiveness, utilizing the government's newly published guidance documents.
It will also give attendees tips for inexpensive ways to improve the effectiveness of their compliance programs. Participants will:
Understand what makes a compliance program effective.
Be able to apply standard criteria to their compliance programs, in order to assess whether their program would be considered effective.
Understand inexpensive and easy to utilize means for making their compliance programs more effective.
Presentation Date: 08.09.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an
intent to change or enhance their practice by utilizing public resources to develop an effective work plan to protect against fraud and abuse and related sanctions.
About the Presenter: Jennifer Papapanagiotou, JD has a legal practice that focuses on compliance, regulatory and transactional
matters for a wide array of health care providers, including home health and hospice agencies. She has extensive experience in analyzing proposed and existing business arrangements for
compliance with federal and state fraud and abuse laws, and drafting a wide variety of legal agreements. Ms. Papapanagiotou is knowledgeable in all aspects of state licensing for home
health and hospice providers, and in Medicare and Medicaid enrollment, including initial enrollment, changes of ownership and appeals of revocation actions. Finally, she assists clients
with compliance plans, forming new businesses, and addressing Medicare and Medicaid program coverage and reimbursement issues.
About the Presenter: Richard B. Pecore, JD is a licensed Texas attorney with over 20 years of experience. Mr. Pecore is a
graduate of the University of Texas and South Texas College of Law Houston. Mr. Pecore joined Liles Parker as an associate attorney in January 2012 and became a partner with the firm in
February 2016. Mr. Pecore has worked on a variety of health care related matters, and the past 6 years focusing on Medicare and Medicaid administrative provider appeals and creating
provider regulatory compliance plans. Since joining Liles Parker, Mr. Pecore has focused on “big box” Medicare and Medicaid overpayments. He has successfully defended overpayment cases
ranging in value from $15,000 to $6 million dollars. Mr. Pecore is a Certified Medical Compliance Officer with PMI, is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association. Mr. Pecore
lives in Kingwood, Texas.
[3045] So You Think Your Compliance Program is Effective?
[3046] Increase Your Service Value: Tips for Successful Participation in Medicaid VBP
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:Texas Medicaid Value-Based Payments
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][5]quality improvement
§558.260[a][7]financial management
Faculty: Matt Ferrara, Director, Office of Quality Oversight, Andy Vasquez, Deputy Associate
Commissioner of Quality & Program Improvement., Jami Snyder, Associate Commissioner, Medicaid/CHIP Services, Texas Health & Human Services
Program Description: With over half of all Medicaid beneficiaries receiving services through
managed care organizations (MCOs), states have a unique opportunity to use MCO contracts and relationships to accelerate wide-scale adoption of value-based
payments (VBP). Texas is jumping on board with this concept and your agency needs the tools to succeed in this new world. It is key for providers to
position themselves successfully to contract with MCOs by understanding the data needed to develop mutually agreeable quality based contracts.
During this presentation you will hear directly from HHSC about how they are requiring MCOs to develop alternate payment structures between them
and their health care providers to encourage innovation, quality and efficiency. Hear directly from Jami Snyder, Associate Commissioner, Medicaid CHIP, who
also implemented VBP in Arizona about the approaches Texas is taking to implement VBP through MCO contracts. Don’t be left behind!
Presentation Date: 08.09.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to
change or enhance their practice by evaluating MCO pay for quality programs in relation to their agency’s services.
About the Presenter: Jami Snyder is the Associate Commissioner for the Medicaid and CHIP Services Department
at the Health and Human Services Commission, and serves as the state's Medicaid director. Jami most recently served as Chief Deputy Director for Medicaid and CHIP for HHSC.
Prior to that, she served as the Chief Operating Officer for The University of Arizona Health Plans (UAHP), a division of Banner Health. She has over 18 years of experience
in both the public and private sectors, including extensive regulatory experience stemming from her tenure with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and
the Arizona Department of Health Services, where she was charged with overseeing the state's Medicaid-contracted health plans, including compliance with established federal
and state managed care regulations and performance in a variety of areas such as network sufficiency, payment modernization, customer service and the provision of self-directed
care. Snyder graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and has a Master of Arts in Political Science from Arizona State University.
About the Presenter: Matt Ferrara is the Director of the Office of Quality Oversight within the Quality and
Program Improvement Section at the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC). This office manages and coordinates quality initiatives within the Texas Medicaid
and CHIP programs, as well as across the various Texas Health and Human Service agencies. He has held this position for over 5 years. Prior to his employment at HHSC, Matt
worked in the mental health and substance use disorder fields for 13 years for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, TDMHMR, and Texas Department of State Health
Services. Before state employment, Matt served for 8 years in direct service and executive capacities for a private provider of community based long term service and
supports in Central Texas and El Paso. He is a graduate of Texas State University San Marcos with a major in Social Work.
About the Presenter: Andy Vasquez has over 20 years of Texas Medicaid experience. During those years he has led
teams through several evolutionary changes in Medicaid pharmacy benefits management. He spent the last 10 years serving as director of the Medicaid Vendor Drug Program and
now serves as a Medicaid & CHIP Services Deputy Associate Commissioner. He leads five offices that recently joined to form the Quality & Program Improvement Section;
working to improve the quality of healthcare for low-income Texans, especially people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Andy is a graduate of the University of Texas at
Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Sciences.
[3046] Increase Your Service Value: Tips for Successful Participation in Medicaid VBP
[3047] Trends in Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Education-Training Credits:
1.5 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:Former Federal Prosecuters explain how your data helps determine fraud.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
§558.260[a][7]financial management
Faculty: Mindy Sauter, JD and Mike Elliott, JD
Program Description: In order to curtail the continued presence of fraud, waste, and abuse within
government programs, specifically home health and hospice, the OIG has implemented the use of data analytics to highlight providers who are outliers
in terms of billing trends. It is essential that providers become aware of how their data analytics will be observed by an outside party.
Along those same lines, emphasis is now being placed on provider-administered compliance programs. Successfully administered compliance
programs will be key if a provider’s data analytics ever come into question. Use this presentation to gain insight from the original Federal
prosecutors in the Dr. Roy case who successfully led the indictment for one of the largest fraud cases in home health.
Presentation Date: 08.09.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and
indicate an intent to change or enhance their practice by implementing compliance training and education within the agency’s operations.
About the Presenters: Mindy Sauter, JD and Mike Elliott, JD are both former Assistant United States Attorneys
who investigated and prosecuted health care fraud throughout the United States.
Mindy is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and SMU law school. Before she was a federal prosecutor,
Mindy was an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas where she tried hundreds of cases and supervised felony prosecutions.
Mike is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the University of Miami School of Law.
Prior to working in both the Southern and Northern Districts of Texas with the Department of Justice, Mike was in private practice in New York City.
Their firm, Elliott Sauter, focuses on representing health care organizations and professionals in regulatory, compliance and criminal matters.
Elliott Sauter is based out of Dallas, TX.
[3047] Trends in Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
[3048] Violence in Home Care: Protecting Your Workforce
Education-Training Credits:
1.5 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary: The risk of violence from clients, family and community against your workforce.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
§558.260[a][8]skills for working with clients, families, and other professional service providers
Faculty: Robert Liles, JD and Anthony Cutrona, JD
Program Description: Home healthcare workers often face an unsafe and unpredictable
environment as they visit a client’s neighborhood and home. Since more violent incidents occur in health care settings than any other profession,
your administrative staff are also vulnerable. The presenters discuss the extent of the problem and what measures your home health agency or
hospice can take to help protect your workforce from violence.
Presentation Date: 08.09.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an
intent to change or enhance their practice by implementing reporting programs that will encourage healthcare staff to more readily report incidents of violence.
About the Presenter: Robert Liles, JD has a background that is somewhat unique. In addition
to a law degree, he holds a Master’s in Health Care Administration. Robert has worked on the provider side, as a federal prosecutor and now represents
home health and hospice agencies around the country in connection with Medicare and Medicaid audits and investigations. While working as a federal prosecutor,
he was asked to serve as the first National Health Care Fraud Coordinator for the DOJ’s, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. In this capacity, he advised
prosecutors around the country regarding health care fraud statutes, schemes, investigative tools, privacy concerns, and compliance issues. Robert is a
nationally-recognized speaker and educator on health law regulatory issues. He has taught and lectured at regional and national conferences, seminars and
webcasts to federal and state prosecutors, auditors, industry representatives, providers and suppliers on a variety of regulatory issues.
About the Presenter: Anthony Cutrona, JD began practicing home health law as general counsel
for a Houston home health agency in 1996 and opened his solo health law practice in 1997. In 2000, the Texas Association for Home Care named him its Associate
Member of the Year. Last year, after 20 years of representing home health care providers throughout Texas, Anthony joined Liles Parker as a Partner and opened
its San Antonio office. He continues to represent home health agencies in license and survey matters, administrative appeals, implementation of compliance programs,
employment issues, and defends nurses in Board of Nursing matters.
[3048] Violence in Home Care: Protecting Your Workforce
[3049] Achieve Rewards from Your Performance Data
Education-Training Credits:
1.5 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary: TX MCOs present potential VBP/VPC approaches.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][8]skills for working with clients, families, and other professional service providers
Faculty: Angie Parks, United Healthcare; Robert Wells and Ceseley Rollins, Superior Health Plan; Kelley Longhofer, Community First
Program Description: Texas Medicaid payors are beginning to look at new payment models called “Value-Based Payments (VBP)
and/or Value Based Contracting (VBC).” The idea behind the new models is for payors to work with providers to ensure delivery of high quality and cost-effective care to their members.
TAHC&H brings you three (3) Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to present a panel discussion about steps a provider might want to take for structuring a VBP/VBC with a payor.
Providers will also learn how these (3) Texas MCOs are currently rolling-out VBP/VBC. They will spend time discussing the process they implement with providers and elements
needed to create VBP/VBC. Implementing a program in collaboration with your MCO could earn your organization rewards for quality services and care. Understanding how your data is
involved as well as other reporting requirements is critical to your success, so don’t miss this opportunity to be ahead of the curve rather than behind it!
Presentation Date: 08.09.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and implement agency data
evaluation projects that will enhance their ability to participate in Value-Based Purchasing programs.
About the Presenter: Angie Parks serves as the Senior Director for Quality Management & Performance
for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas. She has been with the plan since 2013. She oversees the local quality programs for UHC’s Medicaid, MMP and DSNP plans.
Ms. Parks is a registered nurse who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center, and a Bachelor of Science in Adult & Corporate
Fitness/Wellness from Abilene Christian University.
About the Presenter: Ceseley Rollins has been working with the STAR+PLUS program since 1998. She began working
in Houston, Texas shortly after the initial implementation for the STAR+PLUS program and has been working for the program ever since. Ceseley has played a significant role
with each STAR+PLUS expansion/implementation due to her role as Provider Relations Manager, Director of Operations, through her current role as Vice President, Medicaid
Operations for Complex Care Programs which includes STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids and STAR Health.
About the Presenter: Robert Wells is the manager of Superior Healthplan’s Transformation Projects group. He
designs and manages value based incentive projects and works closely with HHSC to implement state directed alternative payment models. For several years, Robert has been
on the forefront of finding new ways for managed care organizations and Superior to interact with their provider networks. Robert has a background in provider relations
and business operations and lives in Austin with his wife, three children and six chickens.
About the Presenter: Kelley Longhofer has 25 Years in Health Care Operations for Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid,
20 Years in Managed Medicaid Program Management and Operations as well as Provider Network Management, and 18 Years with STAR+PLUS and now STAR Kids in Program Management and
Operations. Kelley has worked in national health plan organization as well as local Texas provider sponsored health plans. Kelley is currently working with Community First Health
Plans in San Antonio after a long tenure with Amerigroup.
[3049] Achieve Rewards from Your Performance Data
[3050] How to Save Face with Face-to-Face
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:The latest and greatest advice on doing Face to Face right!
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
§558.260[a][8]skills for working with clients, families, and other professional service providers
Faculty: Jennifer Warfield
Program Description: The face-to-face encounter documentation
has been a challenge for the home health industry, especially since the Medicare contractors have reported that preliminary
results for the Probe and Educate Review were not favorable. We still have much to learn when it comes to achieving better
results. If you have already received your five ADRs, use this presentation to learn how to make improvements going forward.
Additionally, of course, for those who have either not received any ADRs or those who have received denials, this is your
opportunity to learn effective strategies for making corrections. It’s important to note that accurate F2F documentation is
an essential part of pre-claim reviews. Join PPS Plus’s Education Director, Jennifer Warfield, as she explains and defines
required documentation, how to receive cooperation from providers, and how to respond to the ADRs for F2F documentation.
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to
change or enhance their practice by implementing nursing documentation practices that will meet the intent of the Face-to-Face requirements.
About the Presenter: Jennifer Warfield With over 30 years of healthcare experience,
Jennifer Warfield serves as the education director for PPS Plus, provider of OASIS analysis software, based in Biloxi, MS. She is the author of
two coding guidebooks, certified as a home care coding and OASIS specialist, ICD-10 trainer and frequently travels across the country to educate
home health professionals on important industry topics, like Face to Face documentation, pre-claim review, value-based purchasing, OASIS accuracy and ICD-10 coding.
[3050] How to Save Face with Face-to-Face
[3051] Administrator’s Guide to Developing Your Director of Nursing
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:Guidance to ensure the Administration and clinical team works
together.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Faculty: Jennifer Lopez, BSN, RN
Program Description: Regardless of an Administrator’s credentials, they are held
responsible for both the operational and clinical aspects of home care services. Home care is one of the toughest industries for compliance
given the never ending maze of rules and regulations. This is true both in the Administrative side and Clinical side. With that comes the
very delicate question, how does an Administrator help develop and guide the Director of Nursing to ensure clinical issues don’t balloon to
enforcement level violations that could affect the overall operation of the agency? Ensuring the Administration and clinical team works
together is critical to successful operations. In this presentation you will hear from your colleague and TAHC&H President who can share helpful
tips to implementing this team approach in your agency.
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to
change or enhance their practice by implementing best practices that allow the administrator to effectively train the Director of Nursing to oversee the clinical operations of the agency.
About the Presenter: Jennifer Lopez, BSN, RN is the State Health Services Director
for ResCare. She has worked in healthcare for over 25 years in many different settings including acute care, physician office, home health care
and residential services. She received her LVN from Cooke County College in 1987, Associates Degree in Nursing from North Central Texas College
in 1991 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from The University of Texas, Austin in 2003. She is also a Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN).
Her current responsibilities include providing education, training and clinical support for the ICF, HCS and CLASS programs in Texas.
She also serves as President of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice. Jennifer has a vast range of expertise in the areas of operations,
due diligence, QA, clinical, state and federal regulations, compliance and investigations. Jennifer has a passion to ensure each person cared for
receives the highest quality care possible.
[3051] Administrator’s Guide to Developing Your Director of Nursing
[3052] Protecting Your Hospice Practice through Effective Documentation
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:Advice for improving hospice doumentation.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Faculty: Diane Datz
Program Description: In hospice we are told to "paint the picture" of the
patient's condition to authenticate eligibility for admission and recertification. But, do we really understand how to paint the
picture? Most survey deficiencies can be traced to faulty documentation. Strategies to improve documentation include specific
verbiage to meet regulatory standards and a toolbox filled with descriptive and comparative words and phrases. This presentation
equips you to document assessments.
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and
indicate an intent to change or enhance their practice by utilizing the covered material to avoid the most common documentation compliance deficiencies.
About the Presenter: Diane Datz has been a hospice nurse and chaplain for over twenty years.
She is a certified CHAP and ACHC consultant and is currently the hospice regulatory specialist and Hospice Program Director for HealthCare ConsultLink.
Her duties include education and training to hospice agencies, and maintaining regulatory compliance for HealthCare ConsultLink's hospice policy and
procedure manuals. Diane is on the Boards of Texas and New Mexico Hospice Organization and ABODE: Contemplative Care for the Dying. In addition to her
hospice commitment, Diane is an ordained priest in The Old Catholic Church.
[3052] Protecting Your Hospice Practice through Effective Documentation
[3053] Clinical Services Management: What Works to Improve Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Performance?
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary: Clinical practices that make a difference in HHVBP scoring.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][5]quality improvement
§558.260[a][7]financial management
Faculty: Melinda Gaboury
Program Description: With Home Health Value Based Purchasing (HHVBP)
going strong in the 9 demonstration states it is a forgone conclusion that HHVBP will become a nationwide reality. The core goal of
HHVBP is to reach the best practical patient outcome. HHVBP measures focus on clinical outcomes as central components of a
performance measurement system. For many years, HHAs have worked to achieve improved patient outcomes, but there was no
direct connection to payment. With HHVBP, clinical success for payments can translate to higher Medicare reimbursement.
This program is designed to explore the clinical practices that make a difference in HHVBP scoring. When clinical
practices work for patients, HHVBP makes them work for a HHAs bottom-line as well. This session will:
Identify areas most susceptible to patient outcome improvement
Recognize best practices in clinical operations that impact HHVBP scores
Identify practical steps towards successful implementation of HHVBP best practices
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to
change or enhance their practice by recognizing best practices in clinical operations that impact client outcomes and home health Value-Based Purchasing scores.
About the Presenter: Melinda Gaboury is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc. (HPS), based in Nashville, TN. Melinda Gaboury and Mark Cannon founded the company in April 2001 to provide
financial, reimbursement, billing and clinical consulting to the home care and hospice industries.
With more than 16 years of executive speaking, educating and most importantly day-to-day experience working
with home care and hospice professionals, Gaboury has been a speaker for multiple state and national home care and hospice associations. She is
actively conducting Basic and Advanced Home Care and Hospice Seminars throughout the country. She is currently serving on the HHFMA Board and
Home Care Association of Florida Board of Directors. Gaboury is also the author of the Home Health Pocket Guide to OASIS-C2: A Reference Guide for Field Staff.
[3053] Clinical Services Management: What Works to Improve Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Performance?
[3055] Minimizing Your Risk with General Inpatient Continuous Service Intensity Admissions
Education-Training Credits:
1.25 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary:Effective management and documentation
of GIP admissions.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Faculty: Diane Datz
Program Description: After the Office of Inspector (OIG)
probes of hospice GIP admissions in 2011 and 2012, hospices have come under increasing scrutiny when providing
this level of care. The OIG reviews found that 27% of hospices reviewed did not provide GIP to any of their
Medicare hospice patients; and non-compliance was found in meeting admissions criteria, documentation, physician
involvement, IDT oversight, and more. This presentation provides tools for the effective management and documentation
of GIP admissions.
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to change or enhance
their practice by ensuring compliance with federal regulations governing general inpatient admissions to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
About the Presenter: Diane Datz has been a hospice nurse and chaplain for over twenty years.
She is a certified CHAP and ACHC consultant and is currently the hospice regulatory specialist and Hospice Program Director for HealthCare ConsultLink.
Her duties include education and training to hospice agencies, and maintaining regulatory compliance for HealthCare ConsultLink's hospice policy and
procedure manuals. Diane is on the Boards of Texas and New Mexico Hospice Organization and ABODE: Contemplative Care for the Dying. In addition to her
hospice commitment, Diane is an ordained priest in The Old Catholic Church.
[3055] Minimizing Your Risk with General Inpatient Continuous Service Intensity Admissions
[3056] Financial Operations Management: What Are the Keys to Success in Home Health Value-Based Purchasing?
Education-Training Credits:
1.5 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary: Strategies, tactics, and
operational adjustments for the financial management team.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][5]quality improvement
§558.260[a][7]financial management
Faculty: Melinda Gaboury
Program Description: While clinical performance is essential for success in
Home Health Value Based Purchasing (HHVBP), a strong partnership with a HHA’s Financial Operations can exponentially improve the
chances of positive achievement. Performance tracking, return on investment analysis, cost efficiency strategies, and prioritization
of actions can help turn clinical success into bottom-line positive outcomes. This program explores the strategies, tactics, and
operational adjustments that the financial management team at an HHA can take in combination with clinical practices that form the
foundation for HHVBP success. This session will:
Identify the standards used to determine what brings the best returns on clinical investments
Recognize best practices for integrating HHVBP clinicians with financial operations
Determine which HHVBP measures your agency should target to achieve the highest overall score
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and
indicate an intent to change or enhance their practice by recognizing how financial decisions impact clinical operations.
About the Presenter: Melinda Gaboury is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc. (HPS), based in Nashville, TN. Melinda Gaboury and Mark Cannon founded the company in April 2001 to provide
financial, reimbursement, billing and clinical consulting to the home care and hospice industries.
With more than 16 years of executive speaking, educating and most importantly day-to-day experience working
with home care and hospice professionals, Gaboury has been a speaker for multiple state and national home care and hospice associations. She is
actively conducting Basic and Advanced Home Care and Hospice Seminars throughout the country. She is currently serving on the HHFMA Board and
Home Care Association of Florida Board of Directors. Gaboury is also the author of the Home Health Pocket Guide to OASIS-C2: A Reference Guide for Field Staff.
[3056] Financial Operations Management: What Are the Keys to Success in Home Health Value-Based Purchasing?
[3057] Deep Dive: Hospital Readmissions Data Helps Agencies Reduce Rates Further
Education-Training Credits:
1.5 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary: What data shows about hospital readmissions.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Faculty: Chris Attaya
Program Description: Home Health offers hospitals one of the best
strategies to reduce 30-day readmissions, but are we living up to the challenge? With the negative reimbursement impacts to
hospitals and a likely HHA pay-for-performance measure, agencies need to continually look at their data to understand the
relationships of patient characteristics and the utilization of services provided to improve their scores. Using data from the
SHP (Strategic Healthcare Programs) database, we will analyze the different characteristics and agency profiles behind
hospital readmissions. The data provided during this session will help agencies focus and refine efforts that lead to better
performance. This session will:
Identify how HHA’s should use the CMS hospital readmission penalty criteria to position their value proposition
Identify the characteristics of patients that are readmitted to the hospital
Analyze readmission rates between different agency types
List three definite red flags that put patients at high risk of readmitting within 30 days of discharge from the hospital
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to change or enhance their
practice by recognizing characteristics of patients at high risk of hospital readmission and identifying optimal utilization of services to promote positive patient outcomes.
About the Presenter: Chris Attaya Christopher Attaya joined SHP in 2014 after spending
28 years in executive and consulting positions within the Home Health and Hospice industry. In his role as Vice President of Product Strategy, he is
responsible for product development and client relationships to help organizations achieve increased operational and financial performance through the
use of SHP’s industry leading analytics platform and benchmark data. Prior to SHP, Chris was the CFO at the VNA of Boston and had worked at Partners
Health Care at Home as CFO and CEO. He received a B.A. in Public Health from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Management at
Boston University concentrating in Health Care Finance.
[3057] Deep Dive: Hospital Readmissions Data Helps Agencies Reduce Rates Further
[3058] Get Ready! Changes Ahead for Hospice
Education-Training Credits:
1.5 Hr(s) HCSSA Administrator/Alternate
Summary: 2018 Hospice Changes
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.260[a][2]development and interpretation of agency policies
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
§558.260[a][5]quality improvement
Faculty: Sherri Foster and Carolyn Williams
Program Description: The fiscal year 2018 Hospice Proposed Final
Rule will become effective October 1, 2017. In this session, the speakers will talk about Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP),
changes to the hospice wage index and payment rate, aggregate cap amount, new Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) measures, the launch of Hospice Compare, CASPER reports and the Hospice Evaluation and Assessment Reporting Tool (HEART).
In conjunction, speakers will tie in how clinical behaviors affect each of these changes.
Presentation Date: 08.10.2017
Learning Outcomes(s): Participants will actively engage in the learning activity and
indicate an intent to change or enhance their practice by identifying how clinical behaviors affect changes in financial and quality reporting measures.
About the Presenter: Sherri Foster, RN has worked in the home health
and hospice industry, in patient care, management and consulting rolls for 20 years. Her primary role is a legal nurse consultant
with Brooks Acevedo, Attorneys at Law, working with Hospice providers on regulatory and billing compliance issues. Her previous
experience as a hospice administrator allows her unique insights into helping hospice providers in all aspects of ADR and ZPIC
preparation as well as comprehensive regulatory and billing compliance.
About the Presenter: Carolyn Williams has a clinical background in
home health and hospice regulatory and billing compliance. Ms. Williams began her career as a home health registered nurse in
1997 as a field RN. Later, she served as a case manager, Director of Patient Care and served many years’ as a former home health
agency executive. Ms. Williams holds Board Certifications in Healthcare Compliance and Home Care Clinical Specialist - OASIS, and
is a Certified HIPAA Professional. Ms. Williams also brings experience as a former Medicare and Hospice Regulatory Specialist at
the Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice.
[3058] Get Ready! Changes Ahead for Hospice
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 13, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.00 Clock Hrs
Social Worker
1.00 CEU
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
· Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice is an approved provider of social work education by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, approved provider #1230.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§97.259[d][7]abuse, neglect, and exploitation
§97.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§97.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Program Description: For the last several years, the failure to timely
report allegations of ANE to the appropriate authorities ranks in the top 10 licensure violations for home health
and hospice providers. For home health (including skilled care and PAS), it has been the third most commonly cited
violation coming in behind management responsibilities of both the supervising nurse and the administrator. Usually
one or both of those is cited along with the failure to timely report. Almost without exception, there are penalties
assessed with each failure to timely report. At times, the failure will result in license revocation. More times
than not the failure to report is due to agency staff misunderstanding this obligation or misunderstanding what
constitutes an allegation of ANE.
By examining these common misunderstandings and mistakes you will learn practical steps
to avoid them. From the intake of the complaint to the closing of the investigation, this program addresses
the processes needed to maintain compliance with Texas regulations.
Program Learning Outcome:
Participants will actively engage in the discussion and incorporate best practices for identifying and reporting
abuse, neglect, and exploitation into their clinical practice.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Troy Brooks
About the Presenter: Troy Brooks, Esq is a former Assistant General Counsel
for the Texas Department of Human Services, and has worked extensively with the Home and Community Support Services Agencies
Program. Troy now represents home health and hospice agencies across Texas in Medicare and Medicaid disputes with government
agencies and their contractors. He also represents home health agencies in negotiating and responding to government fraud
investigations. Troy runs his own law firm, Brooks Acevedo Attorney at Law in Houston, Texas.
[3100] Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation: Common Misunderstandings
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 14, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.50 Clock Hrs
Social Worker
1.50 CEU
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
· Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice is an approved provider of social work education by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, approved provider #1230.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§97.259[d][6]emergency preparedness planning and implementation
§97.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§97.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
§97.260[a][9]community resources
Program Description: Over the course of 2017 in Texas experienced devastation
from Hurricane Harvey that damaged building structures and induced record breaking flooding with rainfall from the storm
widespread 15 to 30 inches in one day, with some spots picking up 50 inches or more. 40% of Texas licensed home care agencies
were located in the FEMA affected areas according to TAHC&H's calculation.
In addition to the Texas natural disaster, we experienced active shootings and terrorist events in our country.
Now more than ever, home care agencies must review and test their emergency preparedness plan.
This program brings you up-to-date on the necessity to review your continuity of operations plans, Emergency policies and
procedures, and necessity for developing partnerships with home health care agencies and other health care entities.
Additionally, a HCSSA provider will share their experience on how they implemented their plan during the disaster.
Information about the applicability of the new federal emergency preparedness rules to the plan is also discussed.
Program Learning Outcome:
Learners will apply disaster preparedness rules, regulatory changes, and requirements that are impacting their
daily practice into their disaster preparedness planning and agency operations.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Rachel Hammon,BSN, RN, Executive Director, TAHC&H /
Marissa Machado, Chief Operating Officer, TAHC&H / Leann Hubert, Owner, Amazing Grace Hospice
About the Presenter: Rachel Hammon received her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing
from the University of Texas in Austin. She has 23 years of experience in nursing with 19 years’ experience in the home health industry.
During her employment with a home health agency, she served in many roles, which gave her a diverse knowledge of the industry. At the
Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice Rachel assisted member agencies with compliance with state and federal laws, served as a
liaison with state and federal government officials and on the Nurse Practice Advisory Committee for the Board of Nurse Examiners. As
the Executive Director, Rachel is responsible for implementing the mission of the association which is to advocate for ethical practices,
quality, and economic viability of licensed providers of home and community support services in Texas. As part of that advocacy she
routinely works with legislators and state agency staff on legislation and policy that affects the home care industry.
About the Presenter: Marissa Flores Machado is Chief Operation Officer at TAHC&H. Her work
experience in the health home and hospice industry began in 1981. With over 35 years’ of industry experience she recently worked at
DataLogic Software, Inc., an HHSC EVV Vendor, as their Compliance Director. Her previous work experience was at the Texas Department
of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) where she credentialed and licensed HCSSAs; and before that she worked at Girling Health Care, Inc.
in various corporate positions ensuring safety and compliance.
About the Presenter: Leann Hubert is a graduate from Texas A&M University and has been
a licensed SW since 1994. She has worked in many areas of Social Work to include consulting, Home Health, Long term care, rehabilitative
care as well as hospice, which is where her heart lies. In 2008, Leann’s idea to open Amazing Grace Hospice came to fruition and today
she is the sole owner of the company. She continues to be a play a vital role in the Interdisciplinary Team at Amazing Grace Hospice and
remains actively involved with the healthcare community.
[3102] Emergency Preparedness – Disaster Response, Operation Recovery and Resources
[3103] Department of Labor Initiatives and Employment Law: What Employers Need to Know in 2018
A most important and useful review of employment law.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Tommy Simmons
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 14, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.50 Clock Hrs
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Program Description: Mr. Simmons provides a survey of the most significant
employment-related Texas legislation from 2017, an update on how the Texas Workforce Commission has been ruling on
unemployment, wage, and discrimination claims, a summary of increased federal agency enforcement activities in the area of
employment law, and highlights of the most important and useful best practices for employers to follow in order to minimize
the risk of employment claims and lawsuits.
Program Learning Outcome:
Learners will identify how to remain in compliance with wage and hour laws.
About the Presenter: William T. (Tommy) Simmons serves as
legal counsel for the Commissioner representing employers at the Texas Workforce Commission,
where he advises the Commissioner on final-level unemployment and wage claim appeals, assists
business groups with employment-related legislation, and counsels employers on Texas and federal
employment laws. He is the author of the book, “Especially for Texas Employers,” and is also the
editor of the Employment Law Handbook of the Texas Association of Business. In 2012, the Texas
Association of Business presented Mr. Simmons with its Lifetime Friend of Employers Award.
[3103] Department of Labor Initiatives and Employment Law: What Employers Need to Know in 2018
[3104] Marketing in Healthcare: The Can You and Can’t You Dilemma
The most important presentation on marketing your agency.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Jan Spears
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 14, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.50 Clock Hrs
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
§558.260[a][10]marketing
Program Description: Health care facilities are faced with
the need to grow their businesses through the sharing of information about programs and services in an
effective manner. But the rules for implementing an effective marketing program in health care are
limited by several state and federal laws including the Prohibition of Solicitation Law, the
Anti-Kickback Law, Gifts to Beneficiaries, Stark, and other rules implementing by contract and
program directives. Failure to comply with these rules can result in disallowance of a referral,
monetary penalties, loss of licensure, and yes, even imprisonment in some instances. The presenter
explores marketing prohibitions by addressing what an agency “can’t do” under specific regulations
as well as activities that the agency “can do” to promote its business in compliance the law.
Program Learning Outcome:
Learners will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to change or enhance their
practice by implementing marketing practices in compliance with state and federal regulations.
About the Presenter: Jan Spears is Co-owner and Chief Executive Officer
of MJS & Associates, LLC. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the health care field. Ms. Spears has owned
and operated a multimillion dollar home health care company as well as consulted for over 300 homecare providers in
25 states. As a full time consultant for the past 15 years, Ms. Spears has successfully merged clinical and
financial strategies into successful operational plans for numerous providers nationwide. Jan serves as a Medicare
coverage expert for health care facilities who are undergoing audits by federal contractors through all levels of appeals.
She has authored several publications and heads a team of more than 25 consultants at MJS & Associates, LLC.
[3104] Marketing in Healthcare: The Can You and Can’t You Dilemma
[3105] Security & Data Loss Prevention: How to Prepare for Ransomware & Other Cyber Attacks
A focus on common areas of vulnerability and ways to protect against most attacks.
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 14, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.00 Clock Hrs
Social Worker
1.00 CEU
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
· Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice is an approved provider of social work education by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, approved provider #1230.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§97.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§97.260[a][6]risk assessment and management
Program Description: The recent ransomware attack, and threats of more to come,
have raised questions regarding security and available protection mechanisms. Protecting your health data is more important
than ever and failing to do so can come at a hefty price. This program provides focus on common areas of vulnerability and
discusses ways to protect against most attacks. Risk of data loss and methods of recovery are also examined.
Program Learning Outcome:
Learners will identify ways to manage cybersecurity risks in compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule to
ensure the confidentiality and integrity of electronic protected health information.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Ricky Smith, President, Innovative Business Technologies
About the Presenter: Ricky Smith is the President of Innovative Business Technologies, a
SOC II compliant Cloud Service Provider and Managed IT Service organization that works primarily with healthcare providers.
Prior to IBT, Ricky spent 11 years with the homecare and hospice product group of McKesson Information Solutions. As Director of
Technical Services, he became passionate about IT’s ability to facilitate patient care. In addition to 19 years in IT health-care,
Ricky spent several years as a systems engineer and telecommunications technician in a high-profile financial and chemical engineering
sector. Ongoing research on technology trends, as it relates to healthcare providers, allows him to maintain expertise in data security,
compliancy, business continuity, and risk analysis.
[3105] Security & Data Loss Prevention: How to Prepare for Ransomware & Other Cyber Attacks
[3106] Achieving Regulatory Efficiencies
Many tips and ways to streamline and simplify the execution of compliant management.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Kay Hollers
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 14, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.00 Clock Hr(s)
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
Program Description: Today’s Home Care Executive is confronted with myriad
regulatory requirements about State and Federal compliance, reimbursement requirements, personnel management,
confidentiality and safety requirements, taxation and much more. This presentation focuses on and proposes changes to processes and systems that
streamline and simplify the execution of compliant management. Maintaining the focus on efficiencies, the presentation also discusses:
appropriate delegation
strategic outsourcing
time management hints
communication techniques
useful technological tools
Program Learning Outcome:
Learners will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an intent to change or
enhance their practice by implementing efficiencies to streamline operations related to regulatory requirements.
About the Presenter: Kay Hollers, RN MPH COS-C HCS-D is an Independent Consultant for HealthCare ConsultLink and has over 35 years’
experience in administration of and consulting with home health and hospice agencies. She holds a post-Masters
certification in Healthcare Evaluation from Wayne State University with emphasis on quality evaluation in healthcare
settings and is a frequent presenter to public and private audiences on topics such as OASIS accuracy, care planning,
clinical best practices, and QAPI procedures.
[3106] Achieving Regulatory Efficiencies
Presentation Info:
Presentation Date: November 14, 2017
TAHC&H Event: HCSSA Administrator Program | Houston
Subscription Type: Individual
Education-Training Credits:
TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
1.00 Clock Hrs
CE Approval Statements:
· This program meets continuing education requirements
for Administrators and Alternates under Texas HCSSA licensing regulations.
HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:
§97.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
§97.260[a][5]quality improvement
Program Description: All agencies believe they provide
quality service in an effective, efficient, and economically sound manner. But proving and backing up
the assertions requires a Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program that
quantifies results in a measurable way. This program reviews the regulatory requirement for
QAPI program including selection of committee members, development of an effective QAPI policy
and plan, minimal requirements set forth by the state, and activities that can be performed,
measured, and quantified from point to point of review. It also provide updates
for the new QAPI condition and agency requirements applicable to Medicare certified home health
agencies to be implemented on January 8, 2018. The presenter also provides a sample policy and
procedure guide for the new requirements.
Program Learning Outcome:
Learners will actively engage in the learning activity and indicate an
intent to change or enhance their practice by choosing quality projects that produce measurable outcomes to enhance patient care.
TAHC&H Faculty/Presenter: Jan Spears, Chief Executive Officer of MJS & Associates, LLC
About the Presenter: Jan Spears is Co-owner and
Chief Executive Officer of MJS & Associates, LLC. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the health care field.
Ms. Spears has owned and operated a multimillion dollar home health care company as well as consulted
for over 300 homecare providers in 25 states. As a full time consultant for the past 15 years, Ms. Spears
has successfully merged clinical and financial strategies into successful operational plans for
numerous providers nationwide. Jan serves as a Medicare coverage expert for health care facilities
who are undergoing audits by federal contractors through all levels of appeals. She has authored
several publications and heads a team of more than 25 consultants at MJS & Associates, LLC.
[3107] QAPI: Closing the Loop on Agency Performance