Why It’s Your Time to Shine at the 2022 PHA Annual Conference

With the ongoing development of modern technology paired with the ever changing needs and regulations in the home care industry, we are seeing home care services becoming more sought after than ever before. The 2022 PHA Annual Conference is here to take home care to the next level and will be an event you won’t want to miss!

Whether you’re already a CareSmartz360 client or wish to stay updated on the latest insights of the home care industry, the 2022 PHA Annual Conference is a fantastic opportunity for you to enhance your strategies and grow your business.

The conference will have top industry professionals, thought leaders, and practitioners discuss billing options for your business. Plus, you’ll be able to take your home care business a notch higher using brand recognition on the PHA conference website, connections, and conference e-blasts.

Make a Note and Set a Reminder to Save the Date.

Conference Dates

May 11-13, 2022

Venue

Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603

Unraveling New Horizons of Opportunities with Keynote Speakers

PHA has assembled a cast of experts to present at this year’s conference to familiarize attendees about the changing landscape.

1. Lynne Lancaster

Lynne is a generational expert who has dedicated her career to solving multigenerational workforce puzzles, all while developing a deep understanding of the differences between the demographic cohorts through her years of industry experience.
Lancaster will discuss the ways of leading, managing, marketing, and communicating effectively in a multigenerational world. By doing so, she will be able to provide unique insights to help multigenerational offices collaborate and thrive!

2. Adam White

White is an inspirational speaker and leadership expert whose goal is to spark energy and positivity at this year’s conference. He will be speaking about moving beyond compensation for recruiting and retaining employees. After all, engaging employees in their work is crucial to ensure productivity and seeing your business turn a profit.

Adam White will give you the tools to help your employees establish a sense of purpose in their work.

3. Bill Dombi

Bill Dombi, the President of the National Association for Home and Hospice, will share the national perspectives on homecare, health, and hospice.

4. Tom Collins

Collins, a labor and employment lawyer, will provide the attendees with knowledge of top legal issues impacting wage and hour updates, COVID-19 and vaccine-related challenges, labor issues, and a lot more.

Conference Schedule at a Glance

We at CareSmartz360 are pleased to share with you a summary of the 3-day agenda for the 2022 PHA Annual Conference below.

Wednesday, May 11

The 2022 PHA Annual Conference will commence with welcoming remarks and a few words from the renowned keynote speaker, Lynne Lancaster Following this, there will be a series of events, some of which are:

• School of Hard Knocks: Lessons Learned from Healthcare Cyber Attack by Brian Courtney, Vice President, The Safegard Group, Inc.
   
  This interactive presentation will walk the audience through a healthcare company that shares heart-wrenching consequences they dealt with, while providing risk management strategies for you to take away from using their past experiences.
• The Present and Future of PDGM: Avoiding Pitfalls and Preparing for Regulatory Changes by Brian Harris, Consulting Director, SimiTree Healthcare Consulting, Charles M. Breznicky, Jr., SimiTree Healthcare Consulting
   
  The main essence of this session is to resolve pivotal issues impacting enterprise performance. Also, it will present a bold look at the regulatory changes affecting the PDGM landscape.
• Understanding the Hospice Care Index and Optimizing Operations by Diane Link, RN, MHA, Owner, Link Healthcare Advantage
   
  The session discusses new claims-based HQRP measures, including other actions agencies may take to optimize their clinical operations to improve HCI scoring.
• Office of Long-Term Living Updates by Jamie Buchenauer, Deputy Secretary, Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living
   
  Jamie’s discussion will enlighten the audience by giving answers to the latest questions on Community Health Choices, including ARPA funding, OLTL’s 2022 priorities, CHC waiver, EVV updates, and much more.
• Creating a Culture of Accountability for Transformative Care by Tonya Miller PT, DPT, PhD, Founder/Owner, TYM Coaching, and Assistant Professor, Lebanon Valley College, and Aubree Colorita, Manager of Innovation and Onboarding, Healthcare at Home
   
  With home care on the transformative forefront, this session pledges to address burnout as a genuine concern. Participating in this session, you will gain some tangible ways of engaging employees and building accountability. The attendees will be given tools and case studies to assist them with building employee trust and promoting accountability.
• Preparing for OASIS-E by Karen Tibbs, RN, MS, HCS-D, COS-C, McBee
   
  With CMS finalizing the roll-out of OASIS-E for January 1, 2023, the home care industry is set to witness a tremendous transformation while still ensuring reliable data. It is worth knowing that doing this helps with future payment design and policy changes.

  This session is sure to assist associated experts in utilizing these strategies for improved care planning and resource utilization.

• Top Hospice Survey Deficiencies and How to Avoid Them by Victoria Barron, MBA, BSN, RN, Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc.
   
  Barron’s session will outline five survey deficiencies and review the documentation necessary for avoiding them. Additionally, you will get an understanding of how the surveyor will review elements related to conditions of participation.
• Community HealthChoices MCO Roundtable by Anna Keith, Vice President, Community Relations, PA Health & Wellness, Andrea Farrell, Senior Director, Ancillary & LTSS Network Management, UPMC Health Plan, Joshua Hovanec, Senior Manager, Ancillary & LTSS Network Management, UPMC Health Plan, and Taunja McCoy, Director, Provider Network Management MLTSS, AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices
   
  Here you will hear about what providers need to know in 2022. Some vital discussion topics include workforce initiatives, EVV updates, value-based purchasing, and more.
• How COVID Increased Behavioral Health Needs and What Your Agency Can Do to Address Them by Katherine Vanderhorst, PMH-BC, BSN, CCM, C&V Senior Care Specialists
   
  This session presented by a senior care specialist will speak about the rapid increase in mental health crises triggered by COVID-19. You will learn why home health care plays such a crucial role in addressing some staggering needs.
• Prepare Now to Succeed Under Value-Based Purchasing by Charles M. Breznicky, Jr., SimiTree Healthcare Consulting
   
  The presentation aims to educate attendees on identifying the channel of effort and tips for driving the change. This will enable you in finding success under the new-fangled value-based purchasing model.
• Medicare Advantage VBID Model for Hospice by Theresa M. Forster, VP for Hospice Policy & Programs, National Association for Home Care & Hospice
   
  Forster’s session will share details on the value-based insurance design (VBID). She will demonstrate and share success stories of what happens when hospices work in sync with Medicare Advantage Plans.

  After Forster’s session, there will be a general discussion with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The attendees will get details on surveys, regulatory (frameworks, and COVID-related updates.

Thursday, May 12

The second day of the conference will begin with registration and breakfast in the exhibit hall. Attendees will then be able to join for the day’s welcome remarks and an opening speech from keynote speaker, Adam White.

White is a motivational speaker, and leadership expert in the industry. He will be speaking about how to engage employees to ensure enhanced productivity, recruitment, and retainment of employees.

Just like the previous day, there will be another series of sessions, some of which are:

• Medicare Advantage in a Value-Based World by Michael Puskarich, Director, McBee
   
  With Medicare Advantage and managed care becoming an integral part of home health agency revenue, this session outlines what the future will hold. Puskarich will enlighten the attendees about the benefits of partnering with MA using different metrics for attaining success.
• CGS Hospice Update: What’s New in Medicare Hospice by Nykesha Scales, MBA, Senior Provider Relations Representative, CGS Administrators, Tanith Heesch, RN, HH&H Sr. Provider Education Consultant, CGS Administrators
   
  The purpose of this session will be to allow home care businesses to review the recent changes to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Businesses will learn the new and updated coverage using the billing and clinical needs to minimize claim denials.
• Change the Culture of Care: Strategies to Recruit, Engage & Retain Today’s Frontline Workforce by Melissa Mann, Key Account Manager, MissionCare Collective
   
  Medical experts today believe in the need to change the culture of care by building a more substantial workplace. This will be a practical session for inspiring your team with fresh perspectives on creating a competitive workplace for recruiting and retaining great employees.
• Building a Culture of Innovation to Keep Top Talent and Grow Your Agency by Todd Montigney, Managing Principal, SimiTree Healthcare Consulting, and Erin Masterson, Consulting Director, SimiTree Healthcare Consulting
   
  Suppose your enterprise is stuck in the past, in which case it would be worth it for you to hear from these experts about building a culture of innovation for transforming your team’s creativity and inspiring healthy business growth.
• CGS Home Health Update: What’s New in Medicare Home Health by Nykesha Scales, MBA, Senior Provider Relations Representative, CGS Administrators, and Tanith Heesch, RN, HH&H Sr. Provider Education Consultant, CGS Administrators
   
  This presentation will update you about common denials and claim submission errors. Additionally, there will be resources to ensure that you’re making the most of your reimbursement and are well prepared when it comes to Medicare.
• What CMS and OIG are Looking for in Hospice: Strategies to Avoid an OIG Audit by Patty Klinefelter, MBA, RN, BC, ICP, LW Consulting, Inc.
   
  Klinefelter’s session will provide attendees with an overview of OIG and hospice OIG work plans. Klinefelter will also devise some strategies that need implementation to comply with hospice requirements, which the authorities will review to prevent OIG denials.
• It’s All About the Data in Value-Based Payments by Fady Sahhar, PhD, President, XtraGlobex, Inc.This session aims at reviewing data sources in Pennsylvania. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore upcoming plans in places like New Jersey, Tennessee, and Florida.
• Best Practices for Improved Client Outcomes in Telehealth by Donna Floyd, RN, BSN, Crag Business Group
   
  As more and more agencies are paving a path towards telehealth adoption and monitoring, this session will work wonders in providing best practices for service enhancement. Additionally, agencies today are turning a keen eye towards home care software for meeting their diverse needs like scheduling, billing, and so on. Thus, this session will educate the attendees about real-world examples.
• Best Practices for Improved Client Outcomes in Telehealth by Donna Floyd, RN, BSN, Crag Business Group joint session with home health track
   
  Floyd’s session will provide the agencies and associated businesses with the best practices for enhancing service communication. With this knowledge, agencies will be aware of how to meet the increasing expectations of their staff and clients.
• Grassroots Advocacy: How to Advocate for Homecare, Home Health & Hospice by Katie Dotto, PHA Director of Government Affairs; Laura Ness, Area Director, BAYADA Home Health Care; Scott Semmel, Director of Payer Relations, Aveanna Healthcare joint session with a general track
   
  This interactive session will help agencies advocate for home health, hospice, and home care. In this session, you will learn the striking differences between federal and state advocacy as an attendee.

Once the sessions for the day conclude; there will be a cocktail reception where attendees will enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Friday, May 13

• Breakfast and the National Perspective by Bill Dombi, Esq., President, NAHC
   
  The last day of the conference will have an introductory session on the National Perspective by Bill Dombi. He will share the know-how on everything about homecare, health, and hospice while attendees have their breakfast.
• General Session: Legal Issues & Updates by Tom Collins, Esq., Shareholder, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC
   
  After breakfast, there will be a general session by labor and employment lawyer, Tom Collins, who will speak about the top legal issues impacting the home care market, ongoing COVID-19 struggles, vaccine-related challenges, and a lot more.

  The conference will close with the PHA Annual Membership Meeting.

Wrapping Up

While the final schedule is subject to change, gatherings like these promise to bring the home care industry a step closer to its goal of offering the best-in-class non-medical care.

So don’t forget to mark this important event on your calendar and stay tuned for more updates!

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