NH Coronavirus: Governor Suspends Evictions, Foreclosures CONCORD, NH – The governor of New Hampshire followed-up on the unprecedented decision to shut down in-service food service as well as the banning of large gatherings in the state with three new emergency orders Tuesday to protect residents who may lose their jobs during the new coronavirus […]
Archive | Home Care Agencies
PDGM Summit Goes Virtual
After much deliberation and understanding that our members’ health and safety come first, the Home Care Alliance of MA and NAHC are happy to announce that the March 30 PDGM Conference will be presented as virtual all-day conference rather than an in-person event. Below will highlight how we will be moving forward with this event. […]
Guidance for hospice visits in facilities in the age of COVID-19
Please see the Governors Executive Order 2020-04 relating to the visitation requirements of all facilities providing care to older adults. As of 3/15/20 at 11:59 pm all assisted living facilities, long term care facilities, nursing facilities, residential care facilities or any other similar facilities providing residential care to elderly or infirm patients, shall prohibit visitor access […]
CMS Takes Action Nationwide to Aggressively Respond to Coronavirus National Emergency
The President’s declaration empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to authorize CMS to take proactive steps through 1135 waivers and rapidly expand the Administration’s aggressive efforts against COVID-19 led by the White House Coronavirus Task Force. The HHS Secretary is authorized to waive certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) […]
New Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Home Health & Hospice
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has created a new resource page specifically for helping the home care and hospice community remain informed and deal safely and appropriately with the spread of COVID-19, the Coronavirus. The Coronavirus Resources Page, to be updated constantly until this crisis has passed, will be populated with the latest information, […]
Home Care & Hospice Prepare NOW for the Coronavirus
Coronavirus, COVID-19, was first discovered in China in December 2019, but has spread rapidly around the world and in the United States, with confirmed infections and fatalities increasing by the hour, not to mention an unknown number of unreported cases. Clearly, there is much to learn about COVID-19 and dealing effectively with it will be […]
Your Data Needed: 2020 Northern New England Home Care and Hospice Wage & Salary Survey
I’m pleased to provide Alliance member CEOs and HR Managers with the 2020 Northern New England Home Care and Hospice Wage & Salary Survey. This survey will be administered by Gallagher Surveys and will include home care and hospice agencies in NH, ME and VT, along with hospitals in those states. Completed surveys should be […]
CMS Sends More Detailed Guidance to Providers about COVID-19
CMS NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2020 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries CMS Sends More Detailed Guidance to Providers about COVID-19 Healthcare workers in home health agencies and dialysis facilities are the latest group to receive important information on protecting staff and at-risk patients Today, the Centers […]
Infection Control in the Spotlight
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. There are confirmed cases in New Hampshire. Caregivers in home care and hospice are being urged to continue with standard infection control precautions to limit the spread of the virus in the community. […]
ACTION REQUIRED: VA Claims Survey
Action needed on an important survey regarding VA claims. You have probably seen the media coverage about outstanding Veterans’ Administration claims. New Hampshire’s hospitals currently have a backlog of $134 million in VA claims. While home care has not been as visible in the local news media, I want to assure you that the […]
Alliance Seeks Members’ Thoughts on Hospice Group
Peer Network Group meetings are offered to Hospice Administrators by the Home Care, Hospice, & Palliative Care Alliance of NH as a regular member benefit. These meetings are usually held via conference call and allow for sharing of survey outcomes, discussion about state and federal regulatory issues and individual program updates. Please help us plan […]
PDGM Summit Comes to New England March 30
PDGM 2020 NATIONAL SUMMITS Monday, March 30, 2020 | Worcester, MA Key Insights | Best Practices | Lessons Learned PDGM is here! Gain the tools and knowledge needed to understand and adapt your business to these important changes at our regional summit, at the AC Hotel Worcester, 125 Front St. Worcester, Massachusetts from 9:00 […]
Be Better Prepared for Emergencies
Emergency preparedness is a responsibility of all hospice and home health agencies (regardless of licensure status as an 809 or 822.) The Granite State Health Care Coalition can help agencies comply with federal and state regulations. I encourage member agencies to submit a signed letter of support for the Granite State Health Care Coalition. There […]
Here we go! iQIES and PDGM
The Alliance has heard of numerous issues with iQIES registrations and OASIS submissions since the iQIES transition. NAHC is in contact with CMS regarding these. CMS has assured us that they are aware of and are working on the resolution of the issues. We understand CMS is also working to provide a list of all […]
Member Focuses Attention on Healthcare’s Need for Direct Care Workers
New Hampshire Review shines a light on the workforce issue facing today’s health care providers. See the article here: From their webpage: Healthcare’s growing crisis Need for workers providing patient care is requires immediate attention – NH Business Review A convergence of trends is producing a real crisis in healthcare: a growing shortage of front-line, […]
Hospice Volunteers
One of the many factors that makes hospice unique in the world of healthcare is its volunteers. There are student volunteers and hospital volunteers, AARP volunteers and Red Cross volunteers. But when it comes to hospice, volunteers are so important that their role is written into law! The Medicare law that defines hospice care in […]
A New Benefit for Members: Free Dementia Care Training
A new state law took effect on January 1st that requires home care agencies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult day centers to provide 6 hours of dementia care training to their direct care staff, along with 4 hours of annual continuing education. This is good for employees and patients, but it’s an […]
Sign Up for the Leadership Summit!
Sign Up for the Leadership Summit! Time is running short for you to register for the Northeast Home Health Leadership Summit. This event is January 28th-30th at The Revere Hotel in Boston. The Summit is a great place to network with colleagues from throughout the region, gain new industry insights and become inspired! CEOs […]
Palliative Care Nursing Conference — March 5th
St. Anselm’s College & Alliance Co-host Palliative Care Nursing Conference — March 5th “Enhancing Care in Palliative Care” is the theme of the 7th Annual Hospice & Palliative Care Conference at St. Anselm’s College in Goffstown. It’s co-sponsored by the Alliance and St. A’s Continuing Nursing Education Department. The event will feature topics such […]
Get Your Coders & Billers on the Same Team
Get Your Coders & Billers on the Same Team Before your agency clicks “send” on your first batch of Medicare PDGM claims, make sure your coders and billers are working together. PDGM has created more work for billers and more complexity for coders. But there are efficiencies to be gained! Health information management expert Joan […]