Program & Event Descriptions

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Welcome & Opening General Session
3:00 - 5:00 pm

Ruth L. Constant Ed.D, MSN, CHCE, FHHC Chairman of the Board, National Association for Home Care & Hospice

Honorable Robert J. Dole Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader (R-KS)

Honorable Tommy G. Thompson Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Governor of Wisconsin and Claude Pepper Award Winner

Val J. Halamandaris, JD President, National Association for Home Care & Hospice

Washington Update

NAHC Policy staff engaged in negotiations with Congress, federal agencies, and other policymaking bodies will provide inside information on issues of vital interest to home care and hospice providers. Your representatives on the front lines will present the latest on legislative, regulatory, legal, and research developments relative to the prospective payment system (PPS), quality monitoring, conditions of participation, and other vital issues.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify pending regulatory issues and
analyze their impact on home care
and hospice agencies.
2. Benchmark individual agencies
against national data.
3. Analyze pending legislative proposals
for impact on agency operations.

William A. Dombi, Esq. Vice President for Law	Theresa M. Forster Vice President for Policy	Janet E. Neigh Vice President for Hospice Programs
Jeff Kincheloe, JD Director, Government Affairs, U.S. Senate	Mary St. Pierre, MGA, BSN, RN Vice President, Regulatory Affairs	Yvonne Santa Anna, RN, MS Director, Government Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives

Faculty: NAHC Legal, Legislative, and Regulatory Staff, Washington, DC, COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 2.4 Nursing CEs (MNA/CBN Approved); 2.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

Home Care & Hospice Expo Grand Opening & Welcome Reception
5:00 - 7:00pm

101. Expanding the Continuum of Services: How to Become a Medicare Part B Provider
Empire Room
Have you considered becoming a Medicare Part B provider for physician, nurse practitioner, or advanced practice nurse services?
Home care agencies and hospice programs are establishing Part B physician practices as part of the services they offer. Physicians, advanced practice nurses, and nurse practitioners can be utilized to provide primary care to the homebound and frail elderly as well as palliative care consultation services in a variety of settings. This program will supply the HOW TOs on the process: how to apply for the provider number, how to structure the program, how to bill for services, how to manage the program, and how to establish the medical records and office systems.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss the legal and contractual considerations required to start a Part B practice.
2. Discuss necessary documentation to provide Part B services.
3. List the staffing, medications, supplies and equipment required.
4. Discuss effective billing procedures.

FACULTY: Carla M. Braveman RN MED MJS CHCE, Executive Director, VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, Northampton, MA; Mary Sheehan, Chief Operating Officer, Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter, Glenview, IL Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

102. Performance-based Payment in Home Health: From Policy into Practice
Regency Ballroom
The latest trend in health policy circles is paying for performance
(P4P) – and some decision-makers believe the Medicare home health program is ready for the shift. This workshop will provide the latest on federal efforts to launch P4P under Medicare, and specifically in the home health program, as well as a historical perspective on this payment method.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the rationale behind and development of P4P programs in the U.S.
2. Identify the elements of P4P legislative proposals for Medicare home health agencies.
3. Identify steps your agency can take to prepare for P4P.

FACULTY: Sharon Bee Cheng, Analyst, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Washington, DC; Amanda Twiss, President, Outcome Concept Systems, Seattle, WA; Moderator: Mary K. Carr, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs, National Association for Home Care & Hospice Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

103. Answers from the Experts: CMS Panel on the Medicare Hospice Benefit
Diplomat Room
This popular annual program has become a tradition for the National Policy Conference as it provides attendees with the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of a panel of top Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospice experts. CMS will address important issues of the day, leaving time for providers to focus attention on other topics of concern. Among the items discussed will be:
palliative/transition care programs, survey and certification issues, new hospice regulations, hospice medical review, and other regulatory areas of interest.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe new hospice regulatory changes.
2. Discuss status of proposed hospice Conditions of Participation.
3. Identify top survey deficiencies.
4. Describe the current status of expedited review and the CMS relationship with the QIOs

FACULTY: Terri Deutsch MS RN, Senior Analyst, Division of Community Post Acute Care; Kim Roche MA BSN RNC CCS-P, Nurse Consultant, Division of Continuing Care Providers; Sheila Blackstock RN BSN JD, Director, Quality Improvement Policy for Acute Care, All of CMS, Baltimore, MD Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

104. Advocacy—How to Lobby Your Member of Congress
Congressional Room
This program will familiarize participants with the methods and techniques of lobbying to empower them to communicate successfully with their members of Congress regarding home care and hospice priorities. Participants will learn how to conduct a lobbying visit, avoid common errors, and do effective follow up. Both presenters have extensive experience working on Capitol Hill and knowledge of current home care and hospice legislative issues.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss how to successfully conduct a lobbying visit.
2. Demonstrate what to do during the three most common types of legislative interviews and how to avoid the two most common mistakes.
3. Describe follow-up activities.
4. Describe the most effective means for communicating with members of Congress.

FACULTY: Jeffrey Kincheloe, JD, Director of Government Affairs, U.S.
Senate, and Yvonne Santa Anna, RN MSG, Director of Government Affairs, US House, both of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, DC Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

201.CMS Panel on Regulatory and Policy Issues
Regency Ballroom
Representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) will discuss regulatory and policy initiatives for 2006 and beyond. In addition to the latest on vital topics like medical review, survey and certification, and an overview of changes in the payment system, this panel will provide some insight into ongoing work that will help to shape the delivery of home health services for years to come.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe major regulatory changes CMS is planning to make in the home health program, and the time frames for those changes.
2. Discuss the rationale behind the changes.
3. Identify areas of your agency’s operations that must be modified in order to comply with the proposed changes.

FACULTY: Laurence Wilson, Director, Chronic Care Policy Group; John Warren, Acting Deputy Director, Division of Medical Review and Education; Patricia A. Sevast, BSN RN, Nurse Consultant, Survey and Certification Group, All of CMS, Baltimore, MD Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

202.The National Quality Improvement/Hospitalization Reduction Project Final Report
Empire Room
For the first time, learn the final results from the Briggs National Quality Improvement/Hospitalization Reduction Project. The year-long effort was co-sponsored by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice and Fazzi Associates. The goal of the project was to identify the best practices, processes, etc. used by the nation’s most successful agencies (the top 10 percent) in improving quality and reducing unplanned hospitalizations, as well as strategies that would apply to overall quality improvement. Gain valuable insights into how the nation’s most successful agencies reduce their hospitalization rates, improve their overall quality, and position themselves to succeed in a pay-for-performance (P4P) environment.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe steps taken by the nation’s most successful agencies to reduce the occurrence of unplanned hospitalizations.
2. Discuss strategies to improve overall agency quality of care.
3. Identify the role that reduction in unplanned hospitalizations can play in an agency’s ability to succeed under P4P.

FACULTY: Robert Agoglia, Principal, Fazzi and Associates, Northampton, MA Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

203.Optimizing Hospice Operations and Finance
Diplomat Room
As hospices adapt to the many changes that new regulatory issuances require, a special focus must be placed on optimizing organizational operations and financial management. This workshop provides guidance on ensuring that your core structures of finance and operations are well grounded – even amid a sea of change.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Prepare a strategic plan to address marketplace, patient population, and reimbursement system changes that are on the horizon.
2. Identify the forces in play that will have the greatest impact on the future of hospice.
3. Discuss methods to achieve cost efficiencies and stabilization techniques within the evolving hospice community.

FACULTY: Lisa Lapin, Principal, Simione Consultants, LLC, Hamden, CT; Maxine Hochhauser, Executive Vice President/COO, Metropolitan Jewish Health Systems, Brooklyn, NY Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

204.Mounting a Successful Influenza Campaign
Congressional Room
Home health agencies make a vital contribution to community health through their efforts at promoting inoculation against communicable disease. As part of its overall efforts to improve quality under the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requiring the Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) to monitor home health agencies’ involvement in vaccine administration initiatives.
This workshop will provide guidance on the elements of a successful influenza inoculation campaign and key issues related to successful billing.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Define the elements of a successful influenza campaign.
2. Relate methods for working with the QIO in this area.
3. Identify the key elements of billing for influenza vaccine.

FACULTY: Diane Omdahl, RN MS, Founder; Jane Miles RN MSN CNAA Vice President, Products and Services; both of Beacon Health, Mequon, WI Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

301. HIT in the Home Health Setting
Regency Ballroom
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a goal for automation of health records within 10 years. Electronic health records are reported to have a 30% market penetration in the home health industry. The number of agencies employing telehealth technologies in the care of patients is increasing daily. However, these numbers do not portray the true picture of HIT in home health.
For example, of the 30% of agencies employing e-health records and point-of-care documentation, very few have all of their employees documenting electronically, and only a small number of these are totally paperless. Furthermore, products vary widely in value and overall effectiveness. This session will provide attendees with an overview of HIT in home health agencies and insight into specific HIT needs and barriers to HIT penetration.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss the status of implementation of health IT in home health agencies.
2. Identify HIT needs specific to home health.
3. Identify HIT products available in the home health

FACULTY: Mary St.Pierre, RN MGA, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, D.C.; Laurie Neander, MS RN, Executive Director, At Home Care, Inc., Oneonta, NY Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

302.Medicare’s QIOs and the 8th Scope of Work
Empire Room
Medicare quality of care and public reporting requirements have helped to promote the partnerships between home health agencies and the Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). This workshop will explore the rationale behind the new requirements of the QIOs’ 8th Scope of Work (SoW) and guidance on ways to work collaboratively with your agency’s QIO to strengthen your quality efforts.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the goals of the CMS 8th SoW relative to home health agencies.
2. Identify the Outcome-Based Quality Improvement (OBQI) target outcomes that CMS is focusing on.
3. Identify lessons learned during the 7th SoW that will help agencies achieve success in targeted outcomes.

FACULTY: David Adler, Director of Government Affairs, American Health Quality Association, Washington, DC; Marian Essey, RN BSN, Health Quality Improvement Project Director, Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

303.Hospice Data Collection, Quality Assessment, and Performance
Improvement: Are You Ready?
Diplomat Room
Section 418.58 of the proposed Hospice Conditions of Participation
(CoP) would require a hospice to develop, implement, and maintain an effective, ongoing hospice-wide data-driven quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program. The new CoPs will not require a specific QAPI program, rather a hospice will be required to document quality improvement projects conducted, why, and the measurable progress achieved. It will be necessary to track performance to show sustained improvements. The QAPI program must reflect the complexity of a hospice’s organization and services performed by staff and personnel who are under contract or arrangement, focus on indicators related to improved outcomes, and demonstrate improvement in hospice performance.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the new QAPI requirements under the revised hospice CoPs.
2. Discuss how the revisions differ from the current requirements.
3. Identify different options for meeting the new requirements.

FACULTY: Carla M. Braveman, Executive Director, VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, Northampton, MA; Martha Tecca, President, Perforum– The OCS Performance Institute, Lyme, NH Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

304.Home Telehospice: A New Adjunct to Conventional Hospice Service Delivery
Congressional Room
This workshop will introduce tools, interventions, and reasonable expectations that we should have for improved hospice care provision with increased interactions using telecommunications, or home telehospice. Not less care but more targeted and timely care ought to be anticipated by providers and patients as a result of telehealth’s use in hospice. Much time will be devoted to appropriately assigning (and re-assessing) patients and caregivers to telehospice services, based on their capabilities and comfort levels, with using the technologies during the hospice admission period.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify useable telecommunications-ready technologies for today’s home hospice patients and their family caregivers.
2. Discuss which usual hospice services can be improved using telehealth as an adjunct to conventional care, particularly its use with family caregivers.
3. Assess appropriate uses of the telehospice “visit” and gauge its anticipated value for the patient, family caregiver, and professional provider.

FACULTY: Audrey Kinsella, MA MS, Research Director and Lead Writer, Information for Tomorrow, Telehealth Program Planning Services, Asheville, NC, and Beverly Gillund, RN, LCSW, Director of Telehealth Programs, Good Shepherd Hospice and Home Health Agency of Hendricks Community Hospital, Hendricks, MN Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

401.Navigating the Brave New World of Medicare Notices and Appeals; Part I: NOTICES
Empire Room
Accompanying the new appeals process is a host of new patient notices that complicate the delivery of home health services, including notices of coverage and service denials, reductions, and terminations. This workshop is dedicated to providing clear guidance on the WHAT, the WHEN, and the HOW of issuing notices to patients, and on patient rights regarding coverage and service determinations.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Recognize the various notice responsibilities regarding Medicare coverage and service determinations.
2. Identify when and how to issue notices to patients subject to a denial, reduction, or termination of home health or hospice services.
3. Discuss the interrelationship between the various notices and other patient communications.

FACULTY: Mary St. Pierre, VP for Regulatory Affairs, and William A.
Dombi, VP for Law, both of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, DC Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

402.Medicare Advantage: It’s in Your House
Diplomat Room
With the onset of the new Medicare drug benefit under Part D and the increase in financial support from Congress, the Medicare Advantage program is taking on new role in the life and times of home care.
Increasing enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans has home care rethinking how to do business with the various types of plans emerging within Medicare Advantage. This program provides a primer on the Medicare Advantage program: the variety of MA plan types, the scope of the home health benefit, provider qualifications, provider payment rate requirements, provider contracting requirements, beneficiary cost sharing standards, notice and appeal rights, MA marketing limitations, enrollment/disenrollment standards, and much more.

OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the types of Medicare Advantage plans available.
2. Describe the responsibilities of MA plans with respect to the scope of the home health benefit that is to be part of the plan.
3. Explain the nature of the discretion that MA plans have on establishing provider payment rates and beneficiary cost sharing.

FACULTY: Christine C. Rinn, JD, Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP, Washington, DC Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

501.Navigating the Brave New World of Medicare Notices and Appeals; Part II: APPEALS
Empire Room
The Medicare appeals process has undergone considerable change as the result of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, and additional legislative changes in 2003.
As of 2006, Medicare providers and beneficiaries are seeing an appeals process that is changed from top to bottom, with (1) new Administrative Law Judges (ALJs); (2) a new step in the appeals process known as redetermination; (3) new time frames for decision making; (4) restrictions on introducing new evidence during an appeal; and (5) annually adjusted “Amount in Controversy” requirements to qualify for a hearing. Key to the metamorphosis is the consolidation of appeals handling for Medicare Parts A and B into a uniform process of decision makers and decision making. This workshop will provide essential information on the new appeals process that affects both traditional Medicare fee-for-service and managed care.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Recognize the new appeal structure under Medicare.
2. Identify the new rights and restrictions on administrative appeals for Medicare beneficiaries and providers of services.
3. Discuss advocacy strategies to maximize the opportunities for success in the administrative appeals.

FACULTY: Mary St. Pierre, VP for Regulatory Affairs, and William A.
Dombi, VP for Law, both of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, DC Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

502.Legal Issues in Competition
Diplomat Room
All is NOT fair in health care competition – there are legal restraints that should affect business conduct in the never-ending quest for success or survival. These legal considerations include federal and state anti-trust law, state unfair trade practices law, and the use of non-compete clauses in business and employment contracts. In addition, concerns can arise that implicate slander/ libel issues and tortious interference with business arrangements.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify federal and state laws applicable to business competition.
2. Describe the benefits and burdens of utilizing employee non- competition agreements.
3. Define the role of federal and state governments in enforcing anti- trust laws on behalf of private competition.

FACULTY: Robert C. Jones, Partner, Jones Day, Washington, DC Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

601.Legal Issues in Agency Configurations: Business Structures
Empire Room
Stumped about whether to incorporate or create a partnership? Should you merge or establish subsidiaries? What about the optimal tax status for your agency? Now that many home care agencies are experiencing a greater sense of financial stability, it’s natural to wonder if your organization’s existing business structure promotes maximum functioning and success. This workshop will provide clear guidance on legal considerations when contemplating structural changes to your agency.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify potential structural changes for your agency.
2. Discuss the legal implications of such structural changes upon your agency.
3. Relate steps that must be taken to implement changes to your agency’s business structure.

FACULTY: David S. Nelson, Esq, Associate, Mogan Lewis & Bockius, LLP, Philadelphia, PA Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

602.How to Secure Patient Referrals – Within the Law
Diplomat Room
Patient referrals are the lifeblood of the home care and hospice business. Today, competition for referrals is as tough as it has ever been. To come out a winner in this competition requires that you play by all the rules. With this program, you can learn what you can and cannot do in financial relationships with physicians, hospitals, medical equipment dealers, nursing facilities, other caregivers, and clients.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify federal laws affecting financial relationships between physicians and home care and hospice providers.
2. Recognize high risk areas in gifts (free services) to patients.
3. Discuss successful and compliant financial relationships under the Stark II rules.

FACULTY: Denise Bonn, Deputy Director, Center for Health Care Law, NAHC, Washington, DC Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

2006 NAHC National Policy Conference Continuing Education Credits  & Conference Policy Information

Continuing Education for Nurses & Accountants
Continuing education credits for all nurses is pending by the Maryland Nurses Association accredited as an approver of continuing education for nurses by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Many states have reciprocity agreements and will accept the contact hours approved by the Maryland Nurses Association. In addition, some accrediting organizations representing other disciplines have reciprocity agreements. If you have questions, please contact the Maryland Nurses Association at (410) 944-5800.

NAHC has been issued a continuing education provider number (CEP 10810) by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Most states have reciprocity agreements and will accept the contact hours for educational programs. In addition, some accrediting organizations representing other disciplines may also have reciprocity agreements. For more information regarding administrative policies, complaints or refunds, you may contact our meetings department at 202) 547-7424 or by email at meetings@nahc.org.

NAHC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), sponsor ID 104616, as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Field of Study codes (FOS) appear following the CPE information for all accounting-accredited
programs.

The Fields of Study Codes are:

AA Accounting and Auditing
M Management
SKA Specialized Knowledge
CS Consulting Services
PD Personal Development
T Taxation and Applications

Note: To be eligible for CEs, you must attend the entire program in order to have that program on your documentation. If you exit the session prior to its conclusion, you will not be eligible for CE credits.

CE "Easy Swipe" and Certificate Procedures
Your registration materials will include a magnetic card (similar to a credit card) that you will simply swipe as you enter your desired sessions to obtain CE credits.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
Registration cancellations or requests for refund received in writing by Jan. 31, 2006, will be entitled to a refund up to the total amount paid less a $25 administrative charge. Cancellations received between Jan. 31 and March 1, 2006 will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds will be made after March 1, 2006. Refunds will not be made for no-shows.

Registration Transfers
If you cannot attend, your paid registration may be transferred by letter, which must be signed by the party who made the original payment. Authorizing letter should be submitted by March 1, 2006 or presented on-site at registration.

Disclaimer
The planners and sponsors of this conference claim neither liability for the acts of any suppliers to this meeting not for the safety of any attendee while in transit to or from this event. The sponsors reserve the right to cancel this function or portions of it without penalty. The total amount of any liability of the planners and sponsors will be limited to a refund of the registration fee. Your registration acknowledges acceptance of these provisions of registration for listed attendees and your company.