Special Edition of Survey The Expert Podcast: Federal News Radio

[iOS Users]
[38:27]

José Domingos and Matt Hughes were recently interviewed on Federal News Radio. The discussion was about accreditation, as well as ACHC’s programs and services.

About Federal Tech Talk:
Federal Tech Talk looks at the world of high technology in the federal government. Host John Gilroy of the ARMATURE Corporation speaks the language of federal CISOs, CIOs and CTOs, and gets into the specifics for government IT systems integrators. John covers the latest government initiatives and the latest technology news for the federal IT manager and government contractor.

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Survey The Expert Podcast: Episode 7 “The Right Workshop”

[iOS Users]
[4:19]

In today’s Survey The Expert podcast, we’ll learn more about which workshop is right for you. Lisa Meadows, Clinical Compliance Educator for Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty, will educate us on the workshops offered.

Two workshops are offered:
1. Achieving ACHC Accreditation: Provides helpful information for successfully completing the key steps of this process.
2. Maintaining Compliance for Accreditation: Offers insight into the most common deficiencies found during the accreditation process.

For more information contact Brooke Banson.

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Survey The Expert Podcast: Episode 6 “Medtrade Spring 2013 Workshops”

[iOS Users]

[6:24]

In today’s Survey The Expert podcast, we’ll be joined by Greg Stowell, ACHC’s Clinical Compliance Educator for DMEPOS, Sleep and Pharmacy.  He will discuss the upcoming workshops at Medtrade Spring.

Sign up for the workshops here!

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Survey The Expert Podcast: Episode 5 “Behavioral Health Red Carpet”

[iOS Users]

[6:11]

In today’s Survey The Expert podcast, we’ll be joined by Britt Welch, ACHC’s Behavioral Health Clinical Manager.  He will discuss the 5 new Behavioral Health services from ACHC.

Britt Says:
ACHC is proud to announce its first 5 services for the Behavioral Health Accreditation Program. ACHC standards address critical components including rights, governance, operations, fiscal accountability, services and documentation, performance improvement and risk management. ACHC continues to beta test an additional 14 service standards, but providers will be able to download FREE standards to begin the accreditation process for the following services:

Case Management (CMGT):
Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR): 
Community Support (CS):
Day Treatment (DTX):
Outpatient Treatment (OTX):

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Getting Ready to Open Your Own Business? Make Sure You Answer Your Phone/Email/Social Media!

Starting a business is tough, especially in this uncertain economy. If you are ready to take the next step in opening a Home Health, Hospice, DMEPOS or any other business for that matter, your best strategy is to first know what you are up against.  Anyone who has taken a “Business 101” class knows that roughly half of new businesses close within one fiscal year. But here are a few interesting facts to help shape your business plan:

IT’S 50% EASIER TO SELL TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS.

• 80% of your revenue will come from only 20% of your clients.
• Keep all customers happy, but remember that your repeat customers are EXTREMELY valuable.

LEADS WANT A RESPONSE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF INQUIRTY.

• Less than 25% of small businesses respond within 5 minutes.
• If the business calls/contacts back in less than 10 minutes, the potential client will be more responsive to discuss the service/product offering.
• Remember there are many ways to open up conversations with clients: Phone/Email/Social Media.

DON’T GIVE UP!

• Most small business reps give up after 2 attempts to reach a potential customer.
• That’s why it is important to contact as soon as possible after the inquiry. The longer the business waits the more likely the potential client found a substitute.

Slowing sales and unforeseen economic/business conditions are the largest challenges businesses face – be it a start-up or an established business. Your best bet is to fully understand the needs of your market, join local associations, and connect in your community.  But as the data shows, your number one priority is to be accessible and responsive to potential and current clients.

*Check out the inforgraphic at Entrepreneur.com

How Does the Fiscal Cliff Affect Your Business?

To start, President Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 into law to stave off the fiscal cliff, which left many home health organizations relatively unchanged for another year. Here are the highlights affecting Home Health and Hospice:

• There are no cuts to Medicare home health or hospice care benefits, payments, or payment rates

• Home Health will not see Medicaid cuts

• Protection against the Medicare outpatient therapy cap is in effect through the end of the year (2013)

Finally, the Senate bill created a Long Term Care Commission that will be in charge of developing a plan to meet the needs of the aging population. The commission will be a group of 15 members appointed by Mr. Obama, as well as other congressional leaders.

This is good news to start off the New Year for home health and hospice facilities, however community pharmacists may have gotten the rotten end of the deal. A provision in the bill stated that there will be a competitive bidding structure for diabetes test strips (which could save the Medicare program upwards of $600 million). This could seriously affect the industry and cause community pharmacists to stop providing diabetes test supplies to Medicare beneficiaries. John Coster, of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), stated his concern, “NCPA has repeatedly outlined to Congress and Medicare officials the shortcomings in such an approach. Round one of the competitive bid program has validated NCPA’s concerns, including waste in mail order and patients’ strong preference for a face-to-face health care experience with a local provider.”

What are your thoughts?  Please share below!

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Survey The Expert Podcast: Episode 4 “Becoming Accredited”

[iOS users]

[5:32]

In today’s Survey The Expert podcast, we’ll be joined by Lisa Feierstein, VP of Sales for Active Health.  She will discuss the process her organization went through to become accredited with ACHC, and give some tips on how to make accreditation easier for you.

Lisa Says:
• Accreditation takes time and energy, but
• Will help grow your business, and
• ACHC Surveyors are helpful and encouraging

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Survey The Expert Podcast: Episode 3

[iOS users]

[5:25]

In today’s Survey The Expert podcast, we’ll learn more about CMS’s recent ruling that will affect Home Health agencies. Julie Pazun, ACHC’s Home Health, Hospice, and Private Duty Clinical Manager, will highlight the key elements of the document.

However, it will be wise for all Home Health agencies to become familiar with the final ruling by going to http://www.federalregister.gov. Note that some of the ruling are not in effect until July 1, 2013, and others July 1, 2014.

 

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Behavioral Health Home Care (BHHC) is an

Behavioral Health Home Care (BHHC) is an extension of Home Health services. It integrates behavioral health interventions into home care services for patients whose mental illness, substance abuse, intellectual/developmental disabilities make it difficult, or otherwise prevent them from receiving care outside of their homes. Click here
http://ow.ly/fCwgF

Survey The Expert Podcast: Episode 2

[iOS users]

[7:36]

In today’s Survey The Expert podcast, we’ll learn more about accurately understanding and implementing the ACHC Standards which are vital to survey success. Lisa Meadows, Clinical Compliance Educator for Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty, will help us through the process.

If you’re considering accreditation by ACHC or up for renewal soon, take a listen to streamline your process and save you time!

 

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