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CAHSAH Announces 2009 Policy Goals for Home Care in CA

>>continued on page 4

IN THIS ISSUE

Telephone Seminars

PG15

2009 AnnualHome Care Expo

PG 12

CAHSAH BulletinCALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

Volume 25, Number 3MARCH 2009

Stage is Set for Important Lobby Day, April 22nd. The dreadful economy and the subsequently dreadful state budget have created an

unprecedented beginning to this year’s legislative session in Sac-ramento. Our state’s budget was approved five months before its deadline, tem-porarily solving a $42 bil-lion shortfall; our Regional Center system is fighting for survival; Medi-Cal providers have been threatened with several pay-ment delays; our Unemployment In-surance Fund is close to collapsing; our seniors, people with disabilities, and poor have had the little they were receiving dramatically and shamefully reduced; and, with new projec-tions predicting an additional $10 bil-lion shortfall, the worst may be ahead of us.

On top of these grave fiscal concerns the Legis-lature has introduced over 2600 bills, covering issues such as health benefits, worker’s com-pensation, and labor standards. It is with this ominous backdrop that CAH-SAH’s Policy and Public Affairs (PAPA) Committee, chaired by Lucy An-drews of At Your Service Home Care, boldly developed goals and objectives that aim to protect and promote the critical services provided by California’s Home Health, home care, hospice, home infu-sion pharmacy, and home medical equipment agencies. Those goals in-clude:

Preserve Access to Care: Those dependent

on public services and in need of care will not receive it if the government refuses to fund

those who provide the care. This has al-ready been a cornerstone of our na-

tional advocacy efforts this year and will be a forefront issue at the

upcoming Lobby Day as we continue to fight for access to cost-effective care pro-vided in a home setting by

establishing equitable Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.

Protect the Regional Center System: Fully fund the Regional Centers’ bud-

get deficit and preserve the entitle-ment of services. For forty years,

since the passage of the historic Lanterman Act, California

has committed to provide critical services and sup-

ports to people with d e v e l o p m e n t a l

disabilities; how-ever, the system

is now under ex-treme pressure from

budget reductions and the entitlement itself will

no longer exist if the Legisla-ture does not appropriate funds

to cover the currently underfunded Regional Centers. The importance of

respite care in serving people with de-velopmental disabilities will be par-

ticularly stressed during Lobby Day.

Don’t Burden Businesses, Especially During a Diffi-

cult Economy: Several bills have been introduced that

would create new and difficult challenges for the home care indus-

try during a period when the economy is challenging enough. A few bills have

also been introduced, helping the home care industry to better operate. Such issues

Lobby DayPG 11

April 22, 2009

2 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

To better address new Medicare regulations and reimbursement cuts, many home health agencies are considering whether to start offering telehealth

services as a means of driving improved clinical outcomes and financial performance. This article outlines best practices in setting up a telehealth program, based on over 12 months of experience by Integrity Home Care of Springfield, Missouri by co-author Krista Kelly, who was Assistant Executive Director, Home Health Division for 2 years at Integrity prior to joining Philips in 2008.

Is Telemonitoring for you?

According to the Philips National Study on Home Care Technology and Telehealth, co-sponsored by NAHC and conducted by Fazzi Associates, only 17.1% of U.S. agencies currently use telehealth. However, the study found that this number is expected to double within the next two years.

“What makes this study so important is that it is the first representative sample study on technology and telehealth in home care that has ever been undertaken,” said Val Halamandaris, president and CEO of NAHC. “One finding that is particularly significant is that the utilization of telehealth by home care agencies also correlates directly with providing the highest quality of care.”

First Things First – Establish your agency’s goals for a telemonitoring program

Is your agency looking to reduce hospitalizations and ER visits? Increase your Home Care Compare scores? Reduce skilled nursing visits? Optimize your rehab / therapy program? Help manage case mix adjustments? Strengthen your marketing message to local referral sources, such as physicians and hospitals? Open up new sources of revenue such as private pay? Improve your margin on Medicaid patients? Empower your staff so they can offer greater clinical impact at each visit?

Once your agency has agreed on the overall objectives for the program, it’s time to select a

Best Practices in Implementing a Telehealth Program

vendor, design and execute an implementation plan, and establish metrics to ensure continuous program improvement, growth and achievement of agency goals.

Choosing a Telemonitoring Vendor – Pick the right partner

For Integrity Home Care, the most important criteria in their vendor selection process were:

Company reputation•

Long-term stability in the •marketplace

Price and service model (rental •vs. purchase)

Ease of use (e.g. wireless devices •and web-based software)

Use of technology •

Sturdy and ready-to-use •equipment

Create and Follow an Implementation Plan

1. Define the Telemonitoring Program

Determine the right patient population for your telehealth services.

CAHSAH does not necessarily endorse any of the products, services or meetings advertised in the bulletin. CAHSAH also does not endorse the opinions, products or services of guest authors in the bulletin.

PART 1 OF 2

By Krista Kelly, RN and Jill Christians, MBAPhilips Telehealth Solutions

“One finding that is

particularly significant is that the

utilization of telehealth by

home care agencies also

correlates directly with providing the

highest quality of care.”

Val Halamandaris, president & CEO of NAHC

CAHSAH Bulletin Published by CAHSAHJoseph H. Hafkenschiel

President

California Association for Health Services at Home

3780 Rosin Court, Sacramento, CA 95834Telephone: (916) 641-5795 Fax: (916) 641-5881

Web site: www.cahsah.org

For information on advertising and sponsorship in the April 2009 issue, please contact:

Ranesh Maharaj, Bulletin EditorE-mail: rmaharaj@cahsah.org

(916) 641-5795 ext. 120

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www.cahsah.org

<<continued from page 2Integrity Home Care selected cardiac and respiratory diagnoses and any patient at increased risk of hospitalization. Think outside the box: would you also target patients with a psychological diagnosis like depression or also include your rehab / therapy patients? Would providing telemonitoring to certain Medicaid patients – even if not reimbursed – help reduce their overall cost to your agency?

Define policy and procedures for your telemonitoring program, for example:

How often the patient will be monitored – once a day, more? Also on weekends?

The process to report patient problems – what triggers a phone call or home visit? When is the physician contacted?

Establish out-of-range parameters which drive the alerts and flags – these help define the care plan for each patient.

Decide which telemonitoring devices / manual measurements to use – e.g. weight scale, blood pressure and SpO2, perhaps ECG rhythm strip on cardiac surgery patients.

Determine procedures for infection control – cleaning and disinfection methods to use when preparing equipment for another patient.

The number of telemonitoring units you need to start your program – a good benchmark is 10-20% of your chronic ADC, as defined by your target patient population.

2. Choose the right staffing model

Determine how you want to monitor patients as well as who will do the device installation in the patients’ homes.

An agency can adopt either a centralized or decentralized monitoring model. In a centralized model, there is generally dedicated clinical staff that monitors all patients on a daily basis from a central location and reports any

potential problems to branch offices. In a decentralized model, each clinician monitors his or her own patients, or, each branch office monitors their own patients.

Integrity Home Care uses a centralized model. They have an RN Program Manager for 10 hours a week who monitors hospitalizations, keeps track of utilization reports, analyzes program metrics, approves additional units, and does weekend monitoring of patients. The Telemonitoring Nurse is an LPN who works 20 hours a week on the day-to-day operations of the telehealth program. She monitors all telehealth patients in all offices, manages inventory control for all offices, and provides weekly reports to the Case Managers as well as physician reports. The Telemonitoring Nurse in the central office and clinical support staff in branch locations are responsible for entering patient data and clean up/redeployment of the units for their location. Installation is handled by skilled nurses and therapy staff during scheduled home visits or by a home health aide.

See the April Issue of the Bulletin for the balance of the implementation steps:

Taking the Time for Clinical Training and Well-Planned •Program Deployment

Develop Strategies for Program Buy-In•

Publicize Your Results and Plan for the Future•

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4 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

include:

Support AB 946 (Saldana), a CAHSAH spon-sored bill which would eliminate the requirement for home care and hospice agencies to pay wages weekly.

Oppose AB 664 (Skinner), which would pre-sume that a hospital is liable for an employee’s worker’s compensation due to an infection or injury during the time they are employed by the hospital, whether or not the infection or injury was incurred during work. Oppose AB 1000 (Ma), which would require em-ployers to provide paid sick days to employees.Oppose all bills that would increase an employ-er’s worker’s compensation liability or signifi-cantly increase an employer’s contribution to the unemployment insurance fund.

Protect Clients and Patients from Predatory Agencies and Workers: California must provide greater protection to its most vulnerable citizens – seniors and people with disabilities – through improved agency coordination, oversight, and regulatory change. Specifically, CAHSAH is de-veloping a bill that allows employee criminal background checks done by home care agencies to include reports of financial crimes.

Solve the Nursing and Workforce Shortage in Home Care: CAHSAH continues its fight to in-crease the allocation of resources to nursing pro-grams and the removal of onerous regulations for Home Health Aides, licensed nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants. The Legislature must hear

<<continued from page 1 from and be educated by the providers about the workforce shortage.

These courageous goals, which will impact both the budget and legislative forums, will require an equally courageous participation from the home care industry. CAHSAH strongly encourages all members to attend this year’s Lobby Day on April 22nd to make sure that those who make the deci-sions know why home care is important and the issues impacting it. Lobby Day is free to all mem-bers. For more information and to register please go to CAHSAH’s website at www.cahsah.org (web readers may click here).

If you’re looking to maximize your time and money, and find the perfect place to exchange ideas with your colleagues, you’ll find it all at CAHSAH’s Annual PAC Event on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the Hyatt Manchester in San

Diego. This is always the most widely attended party during CAHSAH’s Annual Conference and Expo. You don’t have to be a conference attendee to join the fun at the PAC Event as the event is open to all those who work in the home care industry. This is your chance to meet new friends and enjoy a memorable evening with your colleagues.

We are very excited about this year’s theme “Light of Liberty: Honoring our Heroes” which will pay tribute to your staff, family and friends who are currently serving in the military or who have previously served. By attending the event, you will be supporting the biggest annual fund raiser for CAHSAH’s Political Action Committee and you will be advancing us one step closer to surpassing last year’s fundraising goals. If you cannot attend the event, but would like to donate a raffle or silent auction item, please contact Mary Adorno at madorno@cahsah.org or (916) 641-5795 ext: 124. You can purchase your ticket in advance and get complete details on the event by clicking here.

Celebrate and Network , CAHSAH’s Annual PAC Event

REACHMORE THAN 1,800

HOME CARE PROFESSIONALS

EVERY MONTHADVERTISEIN THE MONTHLY

CAHSAH BULLETINfor more information

email: rmaharaj@cahsah.org

Join us for an elegant evening of fun at the 2009 PAC Event at CAHSAH’s Annual Conference as we honor your family, friends, sta� and clients who are currently serving in military service or those who have served in the past. This year's theme is “Light of Liberty: Honoring Our Heroes". We are accepting

photos of those you wish to have included in a video presentation, “Honoring Our Heroes”, which will be featured the night of the event. Please submit photos which include the name, rank, place of service, home town, and relationship to CAHSAH member and any special honors to Mary Adorno at

madorno@cahsah.org. CAHSAH’s PAC Event is the biggest PAC fundraiser of the year and an excellent opportunity to meet new colleagues and celebrate our success together. Your �nancial support of the PAC is needed more than ever this year as we face the challenge of educating 28 new members of the

Legislature. This represents nearly a one-fourth change in the composition of our state’s Legislature. With the ever changing demands placed on the home care industry by new legislation and regulations it is essential that we have your help in educating legislators about the bene�ts of home care. Many opportunities are available to help support the PAC and even if you are unable to attend the PAC event, you can help by donating a gift card or

gift basket for our ra�e prize drawing or silent auction.

All sponsorships inlclude recognition before and during the event including: recognition as a sponsor in the on-site program, on the o�cial conference website, and on table tents at the event.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009 | 7:30-11:30 PM | HYATT MANCHESTER HOTEL, SAN DIEGO

FOR MORE INFORMATION, to purchase tickets, or make a donation please go to http://www.cahsah.org/?p=pacevent, or contact Mary Adorno at 916.641.5795 x 124 or madorno@cahsah.org

Light of Liberty: Honoring Our Heroes

Sponsorship Levels

Hosted a private dinner with members of our Board and Assembly Member Dave Jones who chairs the Assembly Health Committee.

Support candidate Jack Sieglock for the 10th Assembly seat in the November election.

Supported Audra Strickland for the 37th Assembly Seat

Supported Tony Strickland for the 19th Senate seat

Your PAC Dollars at Work.

CAPTAIN SPONSORSHIP - $1,250 (only 1 available)“Entertainment sponsor”

Be recognized as the exclusive entertainment sponsorfor the event and receive 8 tickets to the event

ADMIRAL SPONSORSHIP - $1,500 (only 2 available)“Food sponsor”

Be recognized as the exclusive food sponsorsfor the event and receive 10 tickets to the event

LT. COMMANDER SPONSORSHIP - $750Receive 4 tickets to the event

COMMANDER SPONSORSHIP - $1,000 (only 3 available)“Event Host sponsor”

Be recognized as one of only three key Event Hostsponsors of event and receive 6 tickets to the event

ENSIGN SPONSORSHIP - $250Receive 1 ticket to the event

LIEUTENANT SPONSORSHIP - $500Receive 2 tickets to the event

TICKETS $50

per person

Go to http://www.cahsah.org/?p=pacevent

to order or contact Mary Adorno at

916.641.5795 x 124 or madorno@cahsah.org THIS YEAR

ON WEDNESDAY

Special Thanksto our early sponsors!

Ventura County Homecare AssociationSan Diego/Imperial County Regional

Home Care CouncilLa Jolla Nurses HomecareHome Instead Senior Care

La MesaConcierge Health Care Services

San JoseAccredited Home Health Services

Woodland Hills

Please hold ____ tickets for me. Cost: $50/ticket Yes! I would like to donate ra�e prize or silent auction item. (CAHSAH Will Contact Your For Prize Information)

Yes! I will sponsor the PAC Event at the following level: Admiral ($1,500) Captain ($1,250) Commander ($1,000) LT. Commander ($750) Lieutenant ($500) Ensign ($250) Ra�e Prize

Name Individual’s personal contribution

Employer Employer contribution

Address

City State Zip

Phone Fax Email

Check (payable to CAHSAH PAC Visa Mastercard American Express

Credit Card number Expiration date Three-digit security code on back of the card

Authorized signature

$10 Discount for all new attendees!CAHSAH’s PAC Event is the biggest PAC fundraiser of the year and an excellent opportunity to meet new colleagues and celebrate our success together. Your �nancial support of the PAC is needed more than ever as we face the challenge of educating 28 new members of the Legislature. With the ever changing demands placed on

the home care industry by new legislation and regulations it is essential that we have your help in educating legislators about the bene�ts of home care.

Yo u r P A C D o l l a r s a t W o r k .

Hosted a private dinner with members of our Board and Assembly Member Dave Jones who chairs the Assembly Health CommitteeSupported candidate Jack Sieglock for the 10th Assembly seat in the November election.

Supported Audra Strickland for the 37th Assembly seatSupported Tony Strickland for the 19th Senate seat

For more information, to purchase tickets, or make a donation, go to http://www.cahsah.org/?p=pacevent, or contact Mary Adorno at 641-5795 ext. 124 or madorno@cahsah.org

PO

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Y U

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5www.cahsah.org

RSVP NOW!April 22 is CAHSAH’s Annual Lobby Day

Nowhere is the opportunity to control your destiny more compelling than in the legislative arena. Decisions made at the Capitol affect many aspects of your professional life. Be a part of CAHSAH’s Annual Lobby Day on Wednesday, April 22, and educate your legislators about important home care issues.

This event is admission free for CAHSAH members and will be held at the Sacramento Sheraton Grand Hotel, at 1230 J street. Policy-oriented workshops and keynote speakers will begin the morning, providing you with the most current information on issues affecting home care. You will be empowered to deliver your message to your decision makers in the State Capitol in the afternoon. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Join your colleagues for this energizing experience. If you have questions about the event, contact Mary Adorno, Legislative Specialist at (916) 641-5795 ext: 124 or madorno@cahsah.org

To sign up for the event, click here.

Let Heffernan take care of the insurance. So you can focus on what you

do best. Specialists in home care

insurance, offering workers comp,

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worked with CAHSAH for over

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John Prichard, Jr. at johnpjr

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6 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

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MATTERS

To submit a story for The People and Stories in Home Care series, please contact Jordan Lindsey at jlindsey@cahsah.org

A

~ AN ONGOING SERIES ~HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE &

STORIES IN HOME CARE

On December 18, 2008, at the offices of Compe-tent Care Home Health Nursing in Costa Mesa, CA, Lynette LaRoche, RN and CEO, and Denise Kennard, RN and Administrator honored the pa-tient who was the catalyst for the inception of Competent Care Home Health Nursing in 1988, James Wadsley, a resident of Fountain Valley, CA.

Wadsley had just graduated Magna Cum Laude from Chapman University with a Bachelor’s De-gree in American History - a triumphant achieve-ment in a life that began with incredible chal-lenges. Wadsley weighed only 1½ pounds at birth and his condition was critical and required constant medical attention. He was cared for by four RNs around the clock, Lynette LaRo-che, Cheri Sizelove, Pat Hudson and Mina Patel. These women formed a deep friendship as they cared for this tiny child, eventually forming the partnership that began Competent Care Home Health Nursing.

“Who would have thought, I would make it this far, considering how I started nearly 23 years ago? Thanks to their devoted nursing care, I am still alive today and able to graduate from college. I wish Cheri Sizelove, Denise’s mother who also cared for me as well (she passed away in 2001), could be here. I know she would have been extremely proud,” Wadsley states.

“I remember James’ parents and their concern for the quality of life he was going to have,” LaRoche adds. “We all fell in love with this little wonder and did whatever James needed to survive.”

Wadsley stayed in contact with Kennard through the years. When he called about his recent gradu-ation, Wadsley thanked her and said these four nurses gave him a life no one expected him to have. It was then that Kennard decided to tie Wadsley’s graduation to their 20th Anniversary celebration at year’s end.

“Upon reflecting over the past twenty years of providing nursing services to Orange County residents, it seemed only fitting to honor James,” said Kennard. “He’s the reason we are able to care for so many catastrophically ill and injured pa-tients today”!

The celebration brunch was held for the Wadsley family, staff members and nurses.

Life

Competent Care Home Health Nursing Welcomes Back, Wadsley!

Pictured above:James Wadsley with Denise Kennard, RN and Administrator

© 2009 Com

petent Care Hom

e Health N

ursing. All rights reserved.

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7www.cahsah.org

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Wouldn’t you love to just sit back, relax, and have someone else steer your company to success? A sponsorship at the annual conference can do just that! Let us put your best foot forward in front of hundreds of home care and hospice professionals. Whether it is showcasing your products and services or just simply getting your name out there – a CAHSAH conference sponsorship or advertisement can do that for you!

This year, the Conference and Home Care Expo will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego from May 5-8. Don’t delay - sponsorship opportunities are sailing fast! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this great program.

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8 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

Bill Summary Description Position Status AB 141 (Tran)

Would permit an individual nonexempt employee to request an employee-selected flexible work schedule providing for workdays up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek, and would allow an employer to implement this schedule without any obligation to pay overtime.

Support Referred to Com. on L. & E.

AB 152 (Carter)

Would define "disability" for purposes of the act as either a mental or physical disability, as those terms are defined.

Watch Referred to Com. on AGING & L.T.C.

AB 214 (Chesbro)

Would require a health care service plan and a health insurer to provide coverage for durable medical equipment, as defined, as part of their plan contracts or health insurance policies.

Watch Bring Back with More Info

Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

AB 249 (Carter)

Would require all other health facilities to create a log to track, by serial number or other unique identification number, all patient-owned mobility, hearing, eating, or breathing equipment, as specified.

Watch Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

AB 378 (Cook)

Would require each public authority or nonprofit consortium, in consultation with its advisory committee and stakeholders, to develop training standards and core topics, to be used in training it provides.

Watch Referred to Com. on HUM. S.

AB 389 (Saldana)

Would make technical changes to notifications by insurers for increasing the premium for an individual or group long-term care insurance policy or a specified certificate.

Watch May be heard in committee March 26.

AB 452 (Yamada)

Would establish the voluntary California Independence Program for the provision of in-home supportive services to certain aged, blind, and disabled individuals who are otherwise ineligible for IHSS services. The bill would make recipients and providers of services under the California Independence Program subject to specified requirements.

Watch Bring Back with More Info

Referred to Com. on HUM. S.

AB 516 (Niello)

Would require, for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2010, for temporary disability, that the benefit amounts payable to an injured worker be not less than an amount equal to the employee's weekly earnings from all employers, nor more than $1,260, or 1.5 times the state average wage, whichever is greater.

Support Referred to Com. on INS.

AB 591 (De La Torre)

Would increase penalties to $5,000 for persons who unlawfully receive, solicit, or offer to pay a referral fee for furnishing services.

Watch Referred to Com. on INS.

AB 613 (Beall)

Would require the department, in pursuing means to improve and streamline the Medi-Cal TAR process, to do so in specified ways, including performing a cost-benefit analysis for each TAR and reducing the number of TARs required.

Support Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

AB 657 (Hernandez)

Establishes the Health Professions Workforce Task Force, comprised of specified members, to assist in the development of a health professions workforce master plan for the state.

Support Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and L. & E.

AB 664 (Skinner)

Would provide, with respect to hospital employees, that the term "injury" includes a blood-borne infectious disease, neck or back impairment, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that develops or manifests itself during the period of the person's employment with the hospital.

Oppose Referred to Com. on INS.

AB 839 (Emmerson)

Would delete the provisions that provide that the 3-year and 10-year prohibitions may begin from the date of the final decision following an appeal from that denial or termination.

Watch Bring Back with More Info

Amended, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH.

AB 943 (Mendoza)

Would prohibit an employer, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification, from refusing to hire or employ a person, or taking any other adverse employment action against a person because the person does not authorize the employer to obtain a credit report regarding the person.

Watch Referred to Coms. on L. & E. and JUD.

AB 946 (Salas)

CAHSAH’s sponsored bill to exempt home care industry and hospice from the weekly pay provisions of SB 940 (Yee-enacted 2008).

Sponsor May be heard in committee March 29.

AB 950 (Hernandez)

Would create as a new category for licensing and regulating hospice inpatient facilities, as defined and allow residential care facilities for the elderly to lease a contiguous space in that facility for a hospice facility under specified conditions.

Watch Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

CAHSAH State Bill Tracking Prioroty A Legislation

9www.cahsah.org

AB 1000 (Ma)

Would provide that an employee who works for 7 or more days in a calendar year is entitled to paid sick days which shall be accrued at a rate of no less than one hour for every 30 hours worked. An employer would be prohibited from discriminating or retaliating against an employee who requests paid sick days.

Oppose Referred to Coms. on L. & E. and JUD.

AB 1142 (Price)

Would provide that it is the responsibility of a hospital, as soon as proof of Medi-Cal eligibility is supplied by a person presenting himself or herself as a Medi-Cal beneficiary, to provide all information regarding that person's Medi-Cal eligibility to all other providers that bill separately for services rendered to that person during the same time period for which the hospital is submitting a claim.

Watch Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

AB 1295 (Fuller)

Would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to create a model program that facilitates and expedites, for licensed registered nurses who have completed associate degrees in nursing to complete advanced degrees in nursing.

Watch Read first time.

AB 1296 (Blumenfield)

Under existing law, the State Department of Developmental Services provides funding for regional centers for the provision or purchase of services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities.

Watch Read first time.

AB 1298 (Coto)

Increases employer contribution for rates under unemployment insurance benefits.

Oppose May be heard in committee March 31.

AB 1445 (Chesbro)

Would provide that more than one encounter between a patient and the same health care professional on the same day and at a single location may each be separately reimbursed under the Medi-Cal program.

Support Read first time.

AB 1462 (Feuer)

Would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to promote the development of community-based, capitated health and long-term care programs for the frail elderly.

Watch Read first time.

AB 1542 (Committee on Health)

Would establish the Patient-Centered Medical Home Act of 2009 to encourage health care providers and patients to partner in a patient-centered medical home, as defined, relating to a centralized, comprehensive location for a patient's medical records.

Watch May be heard in committee April 4.

SB 3 (Cedillo)

Would provide, for work comp injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2010, to receive a supplemental job displacement benefit in the form of a voucher for up to $6,000 to cover various reeducation and skill enhancement expenses.

Watch Bring Back with More Info

Set for hearing April 22.

SB 26 (Simitian)

Would require the Pharmacy board to coordinate with other state agencies, local governments, drug manufacturers, to develop sustainable, efficient policies and programs to manage pharmaceutical wastes and the disposal of devices and authorizes pharmacies to accept the return of home-generated pharmaceutical waste.

Support To Coms. on B., P. & E.D. and EQ.

SB 39 (Benoit)

Would enact the Good Samaritan Protection Act which would instead provide that medical, law enforcement, and emergency personnel who in good faith, and not for compensation render emergency care at the scene of an emergency shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from any act or omission .

Watch First hearing. cancelled at the request of author.

SB 56 (Alquist)

Would make legislative findings and declarations regarding health care coverage and would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact and implement comprehensive reforms in the state' s health care delivery system, as specified.

Watch To Com. on RLS.

SB 187 (Benoit)

Would permit an individual nonexempt employee to request an employee-selected flexible work schedule providing for workdays up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek, and would allow an employer to implement this schedule without any obligation to pay overtime compensation. Requires the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to enforce this provision and adopt regulations.

Support Set for hearing April 22.

SB 208 (Steinberg)

Would require the department to submit an application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver to implement a demonstration project that improves health care, as specified.

Watch To Com. on HEALTH.

SB 222 (Ducheny)

Would revise the remuneration amounts under unemployment insurance benefits.

Oppose Set for hearing April 22.

SB 294 (Negrete McLeod)

Would authorize the implementation of standardized procedures that would expand the duties of a nurse practitioner in the scope of his or her practice, as enumerated.

Support if amended

Set for hearing April 13.

CAHSAH State Bill Tracking Prioroty A Legislation

10 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

SB 344 (Strickland)

Would increase penalties to those who knowingly engage in exploitation of or exert criminal undue influence upon an elder or dependent adult in order to acquire possession or control of an interest in funds or property of the elder or dependent adult.

Support To Com. on PUB. S.

SB 810 (Leno)

Would make all California residents eligible for specified health care benefits under a newly created California Healthcare System, which would, on a single-payer basis, negotiate for or set fees for health care services provided through the system and pay claims for those services.

Watch To Com. on HEALTH. Set for hearing April 15.

Bill Number Description Position LocationH.R.27

(Biggert)Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act establishing additional provisions to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the Medicare Program.

Watch Referred to House Judiciary, House Ways & Means and House Energy and Commerce Committees.

H.R.468 (Schakowsky)

Companion Bill: S.245 (Kohl)

Expands training and support to all sectors of the health care workforce to care for the growing population of older individuals in the United States.

Watch Referred to House Energy & Commerce Committee

H.R. 574Companion Bill:S.254 (Blanche)

Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of home infusion therapy under the Medicare Program.

Support Referred to House Ways & Means Committee

H.R.897 (Putnam)

Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, use of such insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, and a credit for individuals with long-term care needs.

Watch Referred to House Ways & Means Committee

H.R.902 (Smith, A.)

Companion Bill:S.712(Feingold)

Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the provision of items and services provided to Medicare beneficiaries residing in rural areas.

Watch Referred to House Energy & Commerce Committee

H.R. 1094(Lewis)

Permits a home health agency to determine the most appropriate skilled service to make the initial assessment visit for an individual who is eligible for home health services under Medicare but does not require skilled nursing care as long as that skilled service is included as part of the plan of care for such services.

Watch Referred to House Energy & Commerce Committee

H.R. 1409(Miller)

Companion Bill:S. 560(Kennedy)

Amends the National Labor Relations Act to establish a check card system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes.

Oppose Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor

H.R.1670 (Davis, D.)

Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports.

Watch Referred to House Energy & Commerce Committee

H.R.1765 (Matsui)

Amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to payment for furnishing intravenous immune globulin in a patient's home for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases and covers certain disposable pumps as durable medical equipment under the Medicare Program.

Watch Referred to House Energy & Commerce Committee

S.264 (Stabenow)

Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to encourage the use of certified health information technology by providers in the Medicaid program and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Watch Referred to Senate Finance Committee

S.421 (Specter)

Imposes a temporary moratorium on the phase out of the Medicare hospice budget neutrality adjustment factor.

Watch Referred to Senate Finance Committee

S.457 (Thune)

Establishes pilot projects under the Medicare program to provide incentives for home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technologies.

Watch Referred to Senate Finance Committee

CAHSAH Federal Bill List

continued CAHSAH State Bill Tracking Prioroty A Legislation

11www.cahsah.org

CAHSAH’s Annual Lobby Day

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, Sacramento

“Make t h e Conne c t i on”

Be a part of the political process during this unprecedented year by joining your home care and hospice colleagues as we meet with

legislators and advocate for the issues that impact our industry!

Preserve Access to Care!Fully Fund the Regional Center System!

Don’t Burden Businesses, Especially During a Difficult Economy!

Solve the Nursing and Workforce Shortage in Home Care!Protect Clients and Patients from Predatory

Agencies and Workers!Lobby Day is a free event for CAHSAH members.Click here for event information and to register.

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Here is your “Path to Success”:

www.cahsah.org/asp/expo2009/ExpoHall09.asp

2009 ANNUAL HOME CARE EXPOLighting the Path to Success May 6-7, 2009 San Diego

With each passing day, the number of available booths diminishes – there are less than 10 remaining. Waiting until another day or next week to reserve a

booth may mean a missed opportunity. What better place to meet with more than 400 prospective customers in one location than at CAHSAH’s Annual Home Care Expo, May 6-8, 2009, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA? Click here for details and to view the interactive floor plan.

Thanks to those who have taken the time during the last couple of months

to welcome new members: Pat West

Pioneer Home Health CareLaurie Edwards-Tate

At Your Home FamilycareDenise Kennard

Competent Care Giving

M E M B E R

Congratulations to

At Your Home Familycare as they celebrate their 25th anniversary

April, 2009. Established in 1984 by Laurie Edwards-Tate, President, At Your Home

Familycare provides non-medical, in-home care throughout the city and county of San

Diego. In celebration of this milestone, the agency formed “Team At Your Home

Familycare”, raising funds for the MS Society, and participating in WALK MS, April 4, at

Liberty Station. According to Edwards-Tate:

“Supporting the MS Society, and to help reach its goal of finding a cure for multiple sclerosis, is an honor for my organization --and our way to “give back” to our Community. There is no better way to say: Thank You.”

If you wish to participate in the walk, or contribute, please contact:

mswalk.com/atyourhomefamilycare.

S P O T L I G H T

Based on its recent analysis of the remote patient monitoring market, Frost & Sullivan recognized SHP with the 2009 North American Frost & Sullivan Growth Enabling Technology Award for “continuing to provide superior technology toward finely identified market needs”.

Frost and Sullivan Recognizes Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) for Best Practices in Focused Innovation

Congratulations to SHP, a CAHSAH GPO Vendor.To read the press release in its entirety, click here.

A special thanks to three of our members who made a concerted effort not only to make a phone call but to take a prospective member to lunch. As a result, we now better understand those items of importance to the prospect and have provided the necessary decision-making information. Your commitment to this endeavor is greatly appreciated:Brittnei Salerno, LaJolla Nurses Homecare Carolyn Bonner, Kaiser San Diego Home Health & Hospice Agency Elissa Hamilton, Palomar Pomerado Home Health

CAHSAH hosted an open house for prospective members in the Sacramento and surrounding areas on March 26. Many worked behind the scenes to make this happen, helping with calls and serving as hosts. Many thanks to the following individuals for making this a successful event:

Stephanie Phillips Barry Berger Tami Unsworth Donna Deterding Craig Falk Kay Kallas Cindy Hatton

Ken Erman Lenore Erman

13www.cahsah.org

Please help us extend a warm welcome to those new members who have recently joined CAHSAH between

February 20, 2009 and March 20, 2009.Providers

A Family Friend, LLC, Mendocino

Alpha Plus Home Health Services, Lemon Grove

BrightStar Healthcare, Huntington Beach

Comfort Care Staffing, LLC, Los Angeles

Elderlink Home Care Services, Corona

La Vida Buena Eldercare, Inc., San Diego

People’s Care, Inc., Wittier

Right At Home, Bakersfield

Right at Home, Sacramento

Sage Eldercare, Millbrae

Supreme Homecare Agency, Inc., Richmond

AffiliatesInterim Health Care Inc., Sunrise, FL

CAHSAH Welcomes New Members!

Hospice 6%Licensed Home Health

18%

Medicare Certified40%

Home CareAide 34%

Other 2%

2009-2010 RENEWAL

Use the online process to renew or call 916-641-5795, x114.

The process for those agencies with a renewal date of February, March, April or May is underway. Membership renewal ensures that you are able to:

EXPAND YOUR INFLUENCE• through CAHSAH’s Advocacy Efforts

LOWER YOUR EMPLOYEE TURNOVER RATE• through attendance at CAHSAH’s Education Programs

GET THE EDGE ON YOUR COMPETITION• through CAHSAH’s Information Services

LOWER YOUR OVERHEAD• through Staff Research and CAHSAH’s Group Purchasing Programs

INCREASE YOUR EXPOSURE• through CAHSAH’s Resource Guide/Website

ACHIEVE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH •through Opportunities for Involvement

CAHSAH continues to expand and enhance its online information. Take a look at the Member Services section – for many of the Group Purchasing Programs, additional pages of information, education, resources for each have been created to keep our members abreast of upcoming programs and webinars, new products, and research data.

You can access the pages through the tabs at the top of the Member Services section or through links on the various pages. Direct links are also provided for any vendor introductory video clips and for connection to vendor websites.

NEW WEBSITE FEATURE

-Heffernan Insurance Brokers – workers’ compensation and professional liability

-Kroll – background screening

-Philips – telehealth

-Strategic Healthcare Programs – benchmarking

-Strategic HR – human resources

These pages will continue to be refreshed so check this section periodically. Access to these programs creates avenues for both efficiency and savings.

CERTIFIED HOME CARE AIDE ORGANIZATIONS

CAHSAH’s Home Care Aide Organization Certification Program allows home care aide organizations or components of home care organizations which provide home care aide services to submit evidence that they meet CAHSAH’s Minimum Standards for Home Care Aide Organizations.

Congratulations! The following agencies have received their Home Care Aide Organization certification between

February 20, 2009 and March 20, 2009.

To date, 133 agency locations have received their Home Care Aide Organization certification!

A Family Friend, LLC, MendocinoAALL CARE In Home Services, San DiegoAALL CARE In Home Services, San Marcos

Advantage At Home, LLC, Mission ViejoAround The Clock Care, Bakersfield

Around The Clock Care, FresnoBrightStar Healthcare, Huntington BeachFirst Choice Home Care, LLC, San Rafael

Homecare Professionals, Daly CityPegasus Home Health Care, Glendale

TO VIEW A FULL LIST of home care aide organizations who have received CERTIFICATION, go to www.cahsah.org.

TO APPLY OR FOR FURTHER DETAILS go to www.cahsah.org or contact Michele Lander at mlander@cahsah.org or

(916) 641-5795 x 129.

Programs Include:

Brittnei Salerno, LaJolla Nurses Homecare Carolyn Bonner, Kaiser San Diego Home Health & Hospice Agency Elissa Hamilton, Palomar Pomerado Home Health

14 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH SERVICES AT HOME

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Did you know that there have been several major changes to many of the official source documents that instruct home health coders how to assign ICD-

9 codes just since September of 2008? Do you know which documents these are, how to access the most current version of each, what each says and most importantly how they impact your coding choices for your agency?

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions then you really should consider joining us at the next “Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health” workshop series. Why? Because if you are not aware of these changes, your coding practices could negatively impact your coding accuracy, your agency’s reimbursement and your agency’s risk adjustment. And this outdated knowledge could attract the attention of your payers and various regulatory bodies that have kept up with these changes.

1. Attachment DIn this latest document issued by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) we are given criteria for code selection for primary diagnoses, secondary diagnoses as well as when to complete M0246. This technical document has been described by providers as confusing and was released containing errors. CMS has issued statements since its release to correct errors, and may correct additional errors or provide additional related clarifications in the future. Even if you participated in past educational teleconferences on this topic, depending on when and how the session was presented, you may not have received the most current and authoritative information related to Attachment D. Or you may have received someone’s interpretation of how you should proceed with process or documentation changes based on what Attachment D might mean. Rumors regarding Attachment D are rampant in the home health community, and what may have been offered as advice is in some cases being viewed as a new requirement, creating unnecessary work and headaches in agencies.

You can rest assured that OASIS Answers is staying on top of this subject and is presenting the very latest direction from CMS. It is critical that each home health coder understands what Attachment D says - as well as what it doesn’t say and which statements have since been corrected and/or clarified. Don’t rely on other’s interpretations of this critical CMS document. It

is important that you understand the information and the subsequent corrections so that you can incorporate this information into your coding practice, and be better prepared for future clarifications that will likely be released.

2. Grouper TablesThese are the tables that tell your grouper software how to calculate your reimbursement for Medicare PPS episodes. Did you know that

last September these tables were revised? And that of the 51 characteristics

that may impact reimbursement in Medicare’s Prospective Payment System based on OASIS scoring, there are 31 possible ways that ICD-9 coding can impact your reimbursement? Do you understand the term “Approved V code”? Are you aware that these V codes impact how your software calculates a Home Health Resource Group that in turn, affects your reimbursement? If you attend these classes you’ll receive the most current versions of all these tables and understand how to use them.

3. Coding GuidelinesThese are the official coding “laws” that all coders must follow when assigning ICD-9 codes. Many of the changes that occurred this year impacted home health. Did you know that as of October 1, 2008 it takes more than one code to describe a pressure ulcer using ICD-9 codes? Are you aware that these changes were so extensive that the coding guidelines had to be rewritten to explain these rules? Have you heard that we now have definitive guidance regarding when & how to use V57 codes for therapy and that these changes required additional information to be added to the guidelines in multiple places? Or that you can no longer use V09.0 to describe MRSA?

If any of this is news to you, you really should consider joining us at these coding workshops scheduled for July 2009. Once again, CAHSAH is offering three levels of training by OASIS Answers, Inc as “The Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health” series.

For more information or to register for these upcoming programs, go to www.cahsah.org or call (916) 641-5795 ext. 113.

Three Reasons Why You Can’t Afford to Miss the next “Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health” Workshops

Sparkle Sparks, MPT, HCS-D, COS-C

Art of ICD-9 Coding

www.oasisanswers.com425.868.2304 (phone)

425.868.5484 (fax)

15www.cahsah.org

E D U C AT I O N U P D AT E

Whether you are new to Medicare Home Health or a veteran, this workshop is an invaluable resource that will help you

achieve full regulatory compliance. Join CAHSAH, and attendee favorite Connie Little for a full day of review of the Medicare CoP Interpretive Guidelines with insights on the

State Operations Manual and much more!

After successfully completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

•UtilizeInterpretativeGuidelinesforregulatorycompliance •IdentifyaninstancewhenTitle22supersedestheCoPs •ListrequirementsforHHAacceptanceofpatients •Differentiatebetweenareferralandanadmissionbasedon#3 •ListpolicyrequirementsformakingrecordsorOASIScorrections

You will also receive a complimentary copy of the latest copy of the Medicare Conditions of Participation &

Interpretive Guidelines - a resource item sold through the CAHSAH bookstore.

April 21, 2009 - Radisson Hotel Sacramento

April 23, 2009 - Marriott Ontario Airport

Dates and Locations

CoPs 2009: Medicare’s Mandates

Enjoy the convenience and cost-efficiency of a telephone seminar. There is no travel time involved and no limit to the

number of attendees from your agency who may participate at your site through one phone line. The HACP, held for the 8th year in

collaboration with the Louisiana and Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care

Organization in mid-February, attracted 35 attendees. The attendees achieved an outstanding pass rate of nearly 94 percent;

whereas the overall HACP pass rate has been 80 percent. The excellent faculty – Jeannee

Parker Martin, The Corridor Group; Martha Tecca, M&M; Christy Whitney, Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado; Teresa Craig, Suncoast Solutions; and Deborah Randall, Arent Fox – led attendees in excellent and current discussions related to the role of hospice administrators.

The group experienced information hot-off-the-press about hospice regulations, MedPAC’s recommendations to Congress, and proposed reimbursement changes to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Attendees also participated in excellent small group study-preparation at the end of each day. The group activity emphasized important information; and reinforced key elements of strategic positioning, financial management, and legal/compliance issues – all critical to the Hospice Administrator in today’s health care environment.

If you missed this event, plan to attend the next HACP scheduled for July 21-23, 2009 in Las Vegas. For past graduates and those with more than three years of Hospice Administrator

experience, sign up for the Hospice Executive Certificate Program scheduled for October 6-8 in Los Angeles, CA. To sign

up or get more information on these programs, please visit http://www.cahsah.org/index.php?p=certificate_programs.

Upcoming Telephone Seminars The Hospice Administrator Certificate Program in New Orleans

was a Resounding Success!

Make Your Conference Travel Plans Before April 10!

OASIS-C Revisited The latest version of OASIS-C (V 12.2) was posted on March 9 with a 30-day comment period. We know many will have questions about changes in the latest version. Participate in this call as we will be discussing any last options you may have to influence the content of the form as well as implementation strategies. The teleconference will review the changes in this interim final version of the OASIS-C instrument. Some of the changes include: 14 deleted items, 21 items with changed language or scoring options and 6 new items. Take advantage of this unique education opportunity and sign up now! Call takes place on April 14 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (PST)

Agreements with Medical Directors: Making Them Legal Medicare certified home health agencies, private duty agencies, hospices and home medical equipment (HME) companies have legitimate needs for agreements with medical directors or consulting physicians. These agreements are highly regulated by the federal government and, in some cases, state governments too. The purpose of this conference is to assist providers in establishing relationships with referring physicians to provide paid services without violating the law. Make sure your agreements meet all applicable regulatory requirements.

Sign up today. Call takes place on April 30 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am (PST)

CAHSAH ANNUAL CONFERENCE | 20096

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCECONFERENCESAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

T U ESDAY, MAY 5

T H U R SDAY, M AY 7

W EDNESDAY, MAY 6

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM REGISTRATION DESK OPENS Welcome Reception: Relax and enjoy Hors d’oeuvres and a hosted bar while you check in.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM BREAKFAST 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM EDUCATION SESSIONS[P1] - Driving Customer Service: Creating a Customer Centric

Company Through a Systematic Program![H1] - Pulling It All Together: Documentation for Hospice Providers

and the ADR Process[B1] - The New Home Health PPS: Billing Issues and Solutions[A1] - Scores You Need to Succeed in Home Health P4P[L1] - 10 Dos and Don’ts on Referrals and the Anti-kickback Law[E1] - Transforming Home Care Operations through Process

Optimization12:00 PM – 1:30 PM BUSINESS LUNCHEON1:45 PM – 3:15 PM EDUCATION SESSIONS[P2] - Accounting & Finance for Non-Financial Managers[H2] - Improving Access Through a Performance Improvement

Project[B2] - Write it Right: Documentation and the ADR Process for Home

Health Providers[A2] - Home Care Value Based Purchasing (P4P) Is Just Around The

Corner[L2] - Business Owner to Business Leader: Taking Your Business to the

Next Level[E2] - Marketing Makeover - Be the Best That You Can Be!3:30 PM – 5:00 PM EDUCATION SESSIONS[P3] - Strategic Partnerships[H3] - POLST: Translating Patients’ Wishes into Medical Orders[B3] - Practical Solutions to HHAs Common Problems[A3] - CMS and the 111th Congress: What to Expect, Welcome, and

Fear[L3] - Managing the Virtual Homecare Workforce[E3] - Wound/OASIS Assessment & Documentation

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EXPO GRAND OPENING7:30 PM – 11:30 PM PAC SPECIAL EVENT

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM BREAKFAST 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM EDUCATION SESSIONS

[P4] - The Current State of Private Duty Mergers and Acquisitions[H4] - Responding to Serious Illness and Grief in the Workplace: A

Luxury or Good Business Sense?[B4] - Non-Routine Medical Supplies 101: Tracking/Billing & Reporting

on Cost Report[A4] - Tale of Two Agencies: Blending Clinical and Financial Models

for Success[L4] - Managing the Real World of Homecare - Techniques in

Management to Avoid Putting Out Fires[E4] - Tap Dancing With Toxic People11:30 AM – 12:30 PM AWARDS LUNCHEON12:30 PM – 1:30 PM DESSERT IN EXHIBIT HALL 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM EDUCATION SESSIONS[P5] - Using the Agency Web Site to Increase Visibility and Generate

Referrals[H5] - The Forgoing/Withdrawal of Artificial Nutrition and Hydration

From Patients in a Permanent Vegetative State[B5] - Update on Legal Issues in Home Care[A5] - Deficiency Patterns of California Home Health Agencies[L5] - Get a Grip!: Overcoming Stress & Thriving in the Workplace[E5] - Lies, Damn Lies, and Financial Statements3:30 PM – 5:00 PM EDUCATION SESSIONS[P6] - Human Resource Practices and Employment Law for Home

Care[H6] - Intergenerational Care: Focusing on the Children When a

Parent has a Life Threatening Illness[B6] - Field Staff Performance Benchmarks: How Does Your Agency

Compare with the Clinician Scorecards?[A6] - Continuing Financial & Operational Success Under Home

Health PPS Refinement[L6] - How to Manage Your Time When You Wear Too Many Hats[E6] - ICD-9 Coding: Keeping up with the Changes5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EXPO FINALE RECEPTION

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM BREAKFAST 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM EDUCATION SESSIONS[P7] - Background Screening and The Law[H7] - The New CoP: The Real Impact[B7] - Fundamentals of Health Care Financial Management[A7] - Improving Patient Outcomes by Interpreting and Analyzing

Outcome Reports[L7] - Transformation: Leaders, Teams and Self[E7] - Top Ten Ways to Violate California’s Wage-Hour Laws

FR IDAY, M AY 8

DAILY EVENTS SESSION TRACK NUMBER

Join us at the largest home care conferences in the West. Each spring, CAHSAH’s Annual

Conference & Home Care Expo brings together more than 480 providers and vendors for cutting-edge training; engaging and enlightening speakers; and endless networking. Sign up before April 10 to avoid paying onsite fees. The Conference will take place from May 5-8 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California.

Room blocks are limited. Make your reservations by calling: (800) 233-1234 or (619) 232-1234. Ask for the CAHSAH rate of $239 Single/Double (plus tax). Hotel Room Reservation Deadline: April 6, 2009.

To download the conference brochure, visit http://www.cahsah.org/index.php?p=registrati.

For more information or to register by phone, please contact Kairsee Tacher at ktacher@cahsah.org or at (916) 641-5795, ext. 113.

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EDUCATION CALENDARFor more information regarding a specific program, visit www.cahsah.org

April 1 Blueprint to OASIS Accuracy (Exam April 2) - Sacramento, CA2 Blueprint to OASIS Accuracy (Exam April 3) - Ontario, CA7-9 Hospice Manager Certificate Program - Universal City, CA8-10 Home Care Manager Certificate Program - Universal City, CA14 Revenue Protection Tour - Sacramento, CA15 Revenue Protection Tour - Ontario, CA21 Medicare CoP Intensive Workshop - Sacramento, CA23 Medicare CoP Intensive Workshop - Ontario, CA30 Phone Seminar: Agreements with Medical Directors...

May 5-8 Annual Conference & Home Care Expo - San Diego, CA

JuneTBD Hospice QAPI Workshops

July21-23 Hospice Administrator Certificate Program - Las Vegas, NV22-24 Home Care Administrator Certificate Program - Las Vegas, NVTBD ICD-9 Coding Workshops

AugustTBD Survey Workshops

October 7-8 OASIS-C (2-day) Workshop - Sacramento, CA7-9 Hospice Executive Certificate Program - Los Angeles, CA8-10 Home Care Executive Certificate Program - Los Angeles, CA14-15 OASIS-C (2-day) Workshop - Los Angeles, CA

Education Sponsors:

Newly added resource product!

Revving Up Referrals!A manual specifically designed for the private duty, licensed, non-medical, or companion care sales and marketing professional.

As a salesperson, do you ever wish someone provided you with a road map of where to go in an account, who to call on and what is important to them or what to say to them in order to get the referral or client?Each targeted chapter covers:

Key learning skills Target account overview The marketer’s or salesperson’s role Key positions within an account What is important to the referral source Benefits of referring to your home care company How to gain and not lose business Key questions Common objections Best responses to objections Building blocks to developing long-term relationships

Success Doesn’t Take Time – It Takes Knowledge! Don’t delay, order your copy today! Members: $440 Non-Members: $550

For more information on this resource, visit www.cahsah.org or call 916-641-5795 ext. 113

CAHSAH BOOKSTOREYour number one source for great resources!

3780 Rosin Court, Suite 190Sacramento, CA 95834

California Association for HealthServices at Home

FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID SACRAMENTO, CA PERMIT NO. 1971

PLEASE DELIVER TO CURRENT RESIDENT