Annual Conference
The virtual conference will be hosted in Remo, an interactive online space! You’ll have the opportunity to connect face-to-face with other attendees, like in real life. You can customize your profile with as much personal information as you’d like, including your LinkedIn and Calendly.
 
There is also a chat feature for conversations 1:1, by table, and for the whole conference. Plus, add and upvote questions in the Q&A feature to have them answered live.

Join us for this fantastic networking and learning opportunity!
April 28, 2021
8:30am- 4:30pm
COST:
Group Member (3 or more) : $75
Member: $95
Non Member: $115
Conference Sponsor Registration

We have some great sponsorship packages to offer this year that will give your company maximum exposure! Highlight your company through one of our unique opportunities!
Upcoming Events
1-Day Virtual Workshop -Beginners Coding
April 27th
6:00am-2:00pm (PST)
Cost: $110 for members, $125 for non-members
ICD-10-CM Coding for Home Health, Beginner Level
Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify one coding conventions and guidelines
2. State one chapter-specific guideline for coding Infections, Neoplasms, Diabetes, Circulatory and Respiratory conditions
3. State one chapter-specific guideline for coding injuries and complications
4. Describe how to identify the primary diagnosis for home health coding
Quarterly OASIS Updates
May 12th
8:30am-10:00am (PST)
Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members
Benchmarking to Navigate Financial & Clinical Management Under PDGM
May 12th
12:00pm-1:00pm (PST)
Cost: Free for members, $15 for non-members
As agencies get to a year and half into PDGM it is important for them to take a deeper dive into their data to ensure they are managing to best practices under the PDGM model. This includes increased collaboration between Clinical and Financial Management to continually measure their success. This program is designed to provide industry benchmarks and best practices for clinical operations to ensure financial success in PDGM. Attendees will gain a better understanding on the drivers of case weight mix, visit utilization and LUPA management all while maintaining their focus around quality care.  
Laura Wilson, RN, BSN, COS-C
Director, Clinical Consulting, Simione Healthcare Consultants
Robert V. Simione CPA
Principal, Simione Healthcare Consultants
Challenging PDGM Coding Scenarios
May 19th
8:30am-10:00am (PST)
Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members
Two of the five PDGM categories are directly linked to coding: Clinical Grouping and Comorbidity Adjustment. PDGM requires Home Health Agencies to ensure that a patient is appropriate to be admitted to Home Health by having an acceptable primary diagnosis.

  • What happens when the only diagnosis you have from the physician is an unaccepted diagnosis?
  • What if the clinical record doesn’t align with the primary diagnosis?
  • What about comorbidities?

During this session, through case study analyses, we will explore some of the issues that can arise with ICD-10 CM coding under PDGM. We will discuss action plans agencies can implement to manage these challenging coding issues.
In The News
Click on the topics below for more information
Covid-19 Updates
New Web Platform for 1135 Waivers and Inquiries – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing a new web-based tool to assist Medicare/Medicaid-participating providers and suppliers in submission of 1135 Waiver requests and inquiries. With very limited exception, the new web system should be used for all 1135 waiver requests and/or PHE-related inquiries submitted on or after January 11, 2021. To learn more see link to the CMS Quality Safety and Oversight memo (QSO) and the link to the portal.


Health and Human Services announces plan to increase access to COVID therapeutic treatments
As part of the Biden Administration's ongoing efforts to promote health equity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investing $150 million to increase access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapeutic treatments for patients in vulnerable communities across the country.
Sequester
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has written a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), urging the Senate to prevent Medicare sequestration cuts to health care providers, particularly while the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.


More news re: sequester – CMS issued a memo stating claims for dates of service will be held until the House approves the prevention of the sequester cuts.
In anticipation of possible Congressional action to extend the 2% sequester reduction suspension, we instructed the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to hold all claims with dates of service on or after April 1, 2021, for a short period without affecting providers’ cash flow. This will minimize the volume of claims the MACs must reprocess if Congress extends the suspension; the MACs will automatically reprocess any claims paid with the reduction applied if necessary. The House is expected to take up the matter on our around April 12, 2021.
Survey Readiness
The Department of Health’s Office of Investigation and Inspection (OII) is responsible for ensuring that licensed in-home services agencies comply with all applicable state and federal requirements. The OII survey and investigation teams conduct routine state and federal surveys as well as complaint investigations. Washington State licenses more than 400 in-home services agencies to provide home-based personal care and health services to clients and patients within the minimum health and safety standards established in chapter WAC 246-335. The OII survey team is required to survey applicants as part of the initial licensing process, and to survey licensees once during each licensure period. Initial surveys are scheduled and announced; on-going surveys are unannounced. Check out this link to find helpful resources to help you have a successful survey. (Remember – if your agency is Medicare certified you will also be surveyed against applicable Conditions of Participation (COPs)).

Compliance Corner
In response to an executive order from President Joe Biden, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a national emphasis program aimed at protecting workers from COVID-19 while on the job.
Hospitals, assisted living centers and nursing homes have received the bulk of attention throughout the public health emergency, but OSHA’s new program could now place home health agencies under the microscope.
HCAW Membership
We want you to join our community of members! Here's why.....

  • We offer a community, resources, and strong voice for professionals providing care in the home.
  • Our membership is for your entire team! Members include managers, directors, aides, nurses, dietitians, finance managers, c-suite executives, and all other professionals who support care in the home. 
  • Free and reduced cost premium education that impacts your work.
  • Tools and resources to improve your agency.
  • HCAW advocates for our members and industry both here in Washington state and throughout the nation.
  • Up to date news that impacts you.
HCAW Website and Social Media
We have been working hard to update our website and refresh our social media platforms! If you have visited our website previously, please make sure that you clear your cache to ensure that you get the must updated version! And remember to follow us on social media!