Sessions & Schedule

11:15 am - 12:15 pm
1a. Under the Microscope: Illuminating Documentation for Medical Review

Speaker: J'non Griffin, RN, MHA, HCS-D, HCS-O, COS-C, HCS-H, HCS-C, Senior VP of Coding and OASIS/Compliance, SimiTree

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Session Description: Home health documentation has never been under more scrutiny. Six states now operate under the Review Choice Demonstration, ADR volumes from Palmetto GBA TPE rounds remain elevated, Noridian SMRC project reviews continue to expand, and UPIC investigations carry broader authority than ever. Across every one of these programs, reviewers ask the same question: does the record support what was billed? This session illuminates exactly what reviewers look for — and exactly where agencies most often fall short. We will spend dedicated time on the Review Choice Demonstration, including Palmetto GBA's four-question framework for establishing medical necessity, the documentation bundle required for Pre-Claim Review affirmation, and the most common non-affirmation reasons paired with specific documentation fixes. We will then walk through the anatomy of a typical denial, the four most common documentation disconnects between OASIS, the 485, visit notes, and the face-to-face encounter, high-risk OASIS items, the Golden Thread that ties assessment to justification, and the building blocks of a defensible record — including pre-bill QA, education that actually changes clinician behavior, and AI-assisted audit tools. Through case studies, real denial reason codes, and side-by-side documentation comparisons, attendees will leave with concrete, applicable techniques they can implement at their agency on Monday morning.

Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hour Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)

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Target Audience: 

Medicare

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11:15 am - 12:15 pm
1c. Beyond the Policy: Operationalizing Workplace Violence Prevention in Home-Based Care

Speaker: Jonas Fortenberry, Vice President of Business Development, POM Safe

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Session Description: Most organizations already have workplace violence policies, reporting processes, and safety initiatives in place. The challenge is ensuring those efforts translate into a coordinated, measurable, and compliant workplace violence prevention program. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve through Joint Commission standards, OSHA guidance, and Texas workplace violence prevention requirements, organizations are being asked to demonstrate more than policy compliance. They must show evidence of risk assessment, staff engagement, reporting, training, trend analysis, governance oversight, and continuous improvement. This session provides a practical framework for evaluating and strengthening existing workplace violence prevention programs. Attendees will explore common gaps that limit effectiveness, learn how high-performing organizations operationalize safety across intake, field operations, incident reporting, and committee oversight, and identify opportunities to improve both compliance readiness and caregiver support. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants will leave with actionable strategies to advance their organization's workplace violence prevention efforts from a collection of activities into a sustainable, organization-wide program.

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Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hour continuing nursing education (CNE)​​​​

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Target Audience: 

Medicare Hospice

Community Care

All HCSSAs AI/Tech 

Leadership

11:15 am - 12:15 pm
1b. Managing Top 5 Cost Centers: Benchmarks for Profitability

Speaker: Tom Barthel, RN, CLNC, 21st Century Health Care Consultants​

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Session Description: The “Top 5 Expenses” represent the five most significant cost drivers associated with patient care delivery. These key expense categories have a direct impact on the overall financial performance of clinical operations and should be closely monitored on an ongoing basis. By effectively managing these areas and maintaining costs within established industry-average Per Patient Day (PPD) benchmarks, organizations can better control operational spending while continuing to deliver quality patient care. Consistent oversight of these top expense categories allows leadership teams to identify trends, improve resource allocation, and implement cost-containment strategies when necessary. Maintaining financial discipline in these areas helps stabilize clinical operating costs, reduce unnecessary variances, and create a more predictable financial environment. As a result, organizations are better positioned to improve operational efficiency, strengthen financial performance, and support long-term profitability and sustainability.

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Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates

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Target Audience: 

Hospice

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11:15 am - 12:15 pm
1d. Bridging the Gap: Communicating Effectively with Your IT Provider

Speaker: Marjorie Costello, DSSW/Lifespan and Adam Medders, Black Lab Solution

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Session Description: Your IT Provider (or MSP) should be more than just tech support—they’re your strategic partner in keeping your home care agency running smoothly. This session will equip you with the right questions to ask, the key terms to understand, and the best practices for clear, proactive communication. Strengthen your IT relationship, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure your IT works for you—not against you.

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Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates​​

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Target Audience: 

Medicare Hospice

Community Care

All HCSSAs AI/Tech 

Leadership