🔥 SPARK THE PROGRAM 🔥
Schedule
At HomeCareCon, your journey is uniquely yours. Choose from five specialized learning tracks designed to align with your role, goals, and area of expertise. Each track is built to spark new ideas, encourage collaboration, and strengthen your ability to lead in a rapidly evolving care-at-home landscape.
Select programs offer continuing education credits. Whether your focus is clinical, operational, regulatory, or strategic, you’ll gain targeted insights and practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
General
Medicare
Medicaid
Medicare/Medicaid
Private Care/Private Duty
PreCon 🔥 July 21
MainCon Day 1 🔥 July 22
MainCon Day 2 🔥 July 23
MainCon Day 3 🔥 July 24
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Medicare
Igniting Opportunity: Navigating the Medicare Advantage Landscape
Melinda Gaboury & Regina Wild, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Medicare Advantage continues to reshape the home health landscape, creating both operational challenges and strategic opportunities for providers. This full-day workshop examines how organizations can position themselves to capitalize on emerging opportunities in a Medicare Advantage environment, including contracting dynamics, reimbursement considerations, care coordination expectations, and operational planning. Attendees will leave with clearer strategies for strengthening payer relationships and navigating this rapidly evolving segment of care at home.
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Medicare
The Leadership Spark: Clinical Manager Bootcamp
Christina Crumbley & Cara Tomlinson, Tidal Healthcare Consulting
Clinical managers are the backbone of home health agencies. Achieving strong clinical outcomes, high patient satisfaction, financial stability, a skilled workforce, and regulatory compliance can feel like a distant goal — but with the right tools and leadership approach, it is attainable.
This full-day course provides practical strategies, management frameworks, and operational tools designed to help both new and experienced clinical managers succeed. Participants will gain actionable guidance to strengthen team leadership, improve oversight, and fuel the systems needed to support sustainable agency performance.
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Medicare/Medicaid
Coding Precision: Sparking Stronger Outcomes in Home Health
Jennifer Osburn, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Diagnosis coding influences nearly every aspect of home health operations — from medical necessity and payment under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) to quality reporting, risk adjustment, and medical review.
This full-day workshop examines how ICD-10-CM coding guidelines affect reimbursement, Care Compare performance, and compliance outcomes. Participants will review recent coding changes, apply coding regulations to common scenarios, and see how accuracy can spark measurable improvements in financial performance and quality outcomes.
For the best learning experience, attendees should bring a 2026 Home Health ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Medicare
Palmetto GBA Workshop
Michael Bibbins & Elizabeth Brogdon, Palmetto GBA
Join representatives from Palmetto GBA for an in-depth, live and in-person look at Medicare medical review priorities affecting home health agencies in Florida. This session will examine common documentation errors, claim vulnerabilities, and current audit trends impacting reimbursement and compliance.
Attendees will gain insights directly from the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) perspective and leave with practical strategies to strengthen documentation, reduce risk, and ignite stronger compliance performance.
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Medicaid
EVV Compliance in Action: Medicaid Collaborative Workshop
Julio Barea, Livtech In Home Care Division • Shera Campbell, Sunshine Health • Plus more coming soon!
The EVV Collaborative – Compliance in Action brings together home care leaders responsible for Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) oversight, compliance strategy, and operational implementation.
Aligned with the HomeCareCon theme — Ignite: Spark What’s Next — this interactive session explores how providers are igniting new approaches to EVV compliance, workflow integration, and regulatory readiness.
Unlike the larger trade show environment, the EVV Collaborative provides a focused setting where sponsors engage directly with compliance decision-makers actively working through EVV challenges.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
General
Legal Flashpoints: Emerging Employment Law Risks and Trends for Home Care Providers
Josh Vaughn & Natalie Storch, Littler
Home care providers are navigating a legal landscape that seems to evolve faster than shift schedules — and failing to stay in compliance has never come with greater costs. This lively, practical workshop with our friendly (and at times funny!) Littler attorneys, Josh Vaughn, Esq., and Natalie Storch, Esq., breaks down the legal developments you actually need to know — from current enforcement trends and employment law challenges to compliance pitfalls and emerging litigation risks. We’ll explore both what has changed in the last year as well as what’s on the horizon, including the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed changes to the companionship and live‑in exemption regulations, agency and litigation claims often pursued by caregivers against agency owners as well as best practices for avoiding them, the expanding patchwork of salary‑based requirements and restrictions affecting non‑compete agreements, and many other topics. Expect real‑world insights, clear takeaways, and plenty of “aha!” moments designed to help you reduce risk, stay ahead of regulators, and keep your agency out of the danger zone — without needing a law degree or a crystal ball.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Fuel the Fire: Home Care PAC Power Hour
Legislative Representative - To Be Announced
Join us for a high-energy evening supporting the Home Care Political Action Committee (PAC), which advances policies and supports candidates that protect access to care and strengthen home care in Florida.
Hosted at 20 Seven, the hotel’s newly renovated rooftop venue, this signature event brings together providers, partners, and policymakers for meaningful connection in a dynamic, elevated setting.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and a fast-paced team trivia tournament, with opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders and invited legislators. Participate individually or as a team, with additional ways to support through sponsorships, giveaways, and on-site contributions.
More than a networking event, the PAC Power Hour fuels the advocacy efforts that protect and advance home care—ensuring providers have a strong, unified voice where decisions are made.
Individual tickets are $275, or register a team of four for $1,000.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
General
Lighting the Way: Welcome, President’s Address & Excellence in Home Care Awards
Michelle Rogers, Health First Home Care & HCAF President
HomeCareCon begins with a celebration of the sparks of leadership, service, and achievement across Florida’s care-at-home provider community. This opening general session features the President’s Address, recognition of the HCAF Board of Directors and the Home Care Political Action Committee (PAC) leadership, and presentation of the 15th Annual Excellence in Home Care Awards honoring individuals whose work advances the field. The session sets the stage to ignite the conference by highlighting the people and organizations shaping the future of care at home.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
General
Catalyst for Change: Keynote Address
Fred Heid, Polk County Public Schools
Frederick Heid, Superintendent of Polk County Public Schools, leads one of the largest school districts in the United States. Drawing on his experience as an educator and state leader, Mr. Heid will discuss the leadership mindset and innovation required to serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. His insights will resonate with leaders navigating transformation in health care and beyond as organizations adapt to evolving expectations, workforce challenges, and opportunities for growth.
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Medicare
Under the Microscope: Illuminating Documentation for Medical Review
J'non Griffin, SimiTree
As regulatory scrutiny increases, home health agencies must ensure their documentation supports both compliance and accurate reimbursement. With the potential expansion of the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) and continued Medicare audits, documentation practices must be consistent across the clinical and revenue cycle.
This session sheds light on common documentation deficiencies and outlines strategies for improving record defensibility. Topics include clinical accuracy, Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) alignment, and plan-of-care consistency to ensure your agency stays bright under the microscope.
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Medicare
Igniting the Truth: Top OASIS Myths That Burn Outcomes
Lisa Selman-Holman & Sparkle Sparks, McBee, part of Netsmart
Misconceptions surrounding the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) continue to smolder home health agencies, often undermining documentation accuracy, compliance, and reimbursement outcomes. This session will confront the most common myths using current Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance. Participants will gain practical insights that spark greater assessment accuracy and improve quality reporting, survey readiness, and reimbursement performance.
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Medicaid
Reducing Pediatric Rehospitalizations: Data Insights for Private Duty Nursing
Brenda J. Roberts & Beth Harbold, Family First Homecare
Reducing 30-day rehospitalizations is critical to improving outcomes for medically fragile pediatric patients receiving private duty nursing (PDN) services. This session examines how agencies can leverage rehospitalization data to inform clinical decision-making, workforce development, and quality initiatives. Through real-world examples, participants will learn how better discharge coordination, targeted nurse training, and data visibility can fuel improved outcomes for children and families.
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Private Care/Private Duty
Unlocking the Value of Long-Term Care Insurance Clients
Steven Dunn & Kevin Dunn, Clear Claim Technologies
In this session, attendees will gain a clear understanding of why long-term care insurance (LTCI) clients are a higher-value payor source than traditional reimbursement models. The session will explore strategies to identify and attract these clients, while addressing common provider concerns around assignment of benefits and how to manage those arrangements.
Participants will learn best practices for billing and collections, including how to navigate policy requirements and avoid common pitfalls. We will also highlight the role of a comprehensive assessment and well-developed plan of care in maximizing benefits and supporting claim approval. Finally, attendees will leave with practical strategies to improve client retention and create long-term relationships that drive agency growth.
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
General
Reigniting the First-Day Mindset: Ownership, Curiosity & Performance
Miles McGrath, Optimum RTS
What would happen if employees approached their work with the same curiosity, ownership, and commitment they brought on their first day? This leadership-focused session explores how mindset influences performance, engagement, and resilience. Participants will learn practical strategies to reignite motivation, shift away from burnout-driven work patterns, and spark stronger accountability across teams.
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
General
Policy in Motion: National Update From Washington
Jennifer Sheets, National Alliance for Care at Home
Jennifer Sheets, Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Care at Home, will provide a federal policy briefing on developments affecting Medicare, Medicaid, and private care-at-home providers.
This session examines regulatory trends, payment policy updates, and legislative priorities shaping the national landscape. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how federal initiatives may drive the next phase of change for home care providers in the years ahead.
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
Medicare
Fueling Financial Performance: Revenue Cycle Priorities for Home Health
Hannah Vale, HealthRev Partners
Home health agencies are entering a defining period where payment pressure, value-based performance, and payer complexity are converging. This session examines how intake, documentation, coding, billing, and denial management influence both compliance and financial outcomes. Participants will leave with a practical revenue cycle focus plan, key performance metrics, and strategies to fuel stronger cash flow and operational performance.
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
General
Stoking the Fire: Implementing Effective Teaching
Joe Osentoski, Gateway Home Health Coding & Consulting
Effective patient and caregiver education is essential to improving outcomes in home health care. This session explores evidence-based strategies for delivering education that patients understand, retain, and apply. Participants will learn practical approaches to assessing learning readiness, tailoring communication, and documenting instruction effectively — helping spark better patient engagement and stronger clinical outcomes.
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
Private Care/Private Duty
Stop Chasing, Start Attracting: Becoming the Agency Families Choose
Becky Reel, Reel Home Care Consulting
You got into this business because you believed families deserved better. And you still do. But somewhere along the way, growth started feeling like a grind -- the calls, the follow-ups, the showing up and hoping someone remembers your name.
Here's what nobody's saying out loud: the agencies families actually choose aren't always the ones working the hardest. They're the ones who've learned how to be found instead of how to chase.
In this session, we're getting honest about what makes a family pick up the phone and call YOU -- before they've even talked to anyone else. We'll look at what your messaging is really saying, what builds trust before you ever walk through someone's door, and how to create the kind of reputation that grows without the constant hustle.
You don't need more tactics. You need a different approach. Come ready to think differently -- because the families you're meant to serve are already looking for someone exactly like you.
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
General
AI on the Front Lines: How Voice Automation Is Changing Home Care Operations
Jay Gopal, Ainsley Capital
Home care agencies spend thousands of staff hours each year on phone-based administrative work: insurance verification, prior authorizations, claim status checks, and denial appeals. AI voice agents now handle these calls autonomously, running concurrently across dozens of payers and patients at once. This session draws on real-world data to show what AI-driven automation looks like in practice, where it works, and how home care leaders should evaluate it for their own operations. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for assessing AI readiness, identifying the highest-impact use cases, and avoiding common implementation mistakes.
2:40 PM – 4:00 PM
Medicaid
Powering the Partnership: Medicaid Panel & Provider Forum
Coming Soon
Representatives from Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) health plans join providers for a panel discussion and open forum exploring operational challenges, contracting realities, and opportunities for collaboration. Attendees will engage directly with plan representatives to strengthen alignment across the Medicaid ecosystem, improve communication, and identify opportunities to enhance coordination between providers and payers.
2:40 PM – 4:00 PM
Medicare
Your 2026 HHVBP Playbook: Staying Ahead of Value-Based Performance
Melinda Gaboury, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Beginning January 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented major updates to the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model that will significantly influence agency reimbursement.
In this session, Healthcare Provider Solutions Chief Executive Officer Melinda Gaboury will break down the new rules and translate them into practical strategies agencies can implement immediately. Participants will learn how performance measures, quality outcomes, and operational decisions interact to determine reimbursement.
2:40 PM – 4:00 PM
Medicare
Elevating the Patient Experience: Improving Home Health CAHPS® Performance
Caleb Hendricks, Activated Insights
The Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey results offer a powerful window into patient experience, yet many agencies struggle to translate that data into meaningful change. This session explores how home health organizations can leverage HHCAHPS insights and the latest question enhancements to improve patient outcomes, boost star ratings, and advance person-centered care. Participants will leave with practical strategies to increase survey completion and create more consistent, positive patient experiences across their organizations.
2:40 PM – 4:00 PM
Private Care/Private Duty
Shining a Light on Compliance: Survey Readiness for Private Pay Providers
Priyanka Sipp, STRATEGIX Healthcare Solutions
Private pay home care providers face increasing oversight related to complaints, routine surveys, and investigations into unlicensed activity. This practical session moves beyond theory to explore real-world compliance challenges.
Participants will examine common documentation pitfalls, survey vulnerabilities, and proactive strategies that providers can implement immediately. Attendees will leave equipped with the tools needed to ignite stronger compliance practices and navigate regulatory expectations with confidence.
2:40 PM – 4:00 PM
General
Makers of Fire: Leadership Lessons for the Next Era of Growth
Joseph Thompson, Rehoboth Home Care Services
Every organization builds upon foundations created by those who came before it. Using fire as a metaphor for discovery, transformation, and progress, this session explores the leadership mindset required to guide organizations into their next phase of growth. Participants will reflect on the ingredients necessary to fuel success and ignite the next chapter of leadership impact.
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Spark & Connect: Happy Hour Reception
N/A
Explore cutting-edge products and innovative solutions while enjoying happy hour drinks and appetizers in the trade show marketplace. Ignite new ideas and discover fresh opportunities as you connect with exhibitors and fellow attendees. Don’t miss your chance to fuel what’s next — and enter to win exciting prizes!
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
General
2026 Florida Legislative Session Recap & Collaborative
Denise Bellville & Kyle Simon, Home Care Association of Florida
Join HCAF Executive Director Denise Bellville and Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications Kyle Simon for a comprehensive review of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. This interactive discussion will examine key legislative developments affecting home care providers and look ahead to priorities for the next legislative cycle. Participants will have the opportunity to share feedback and help fuel the policy agenda that will guide the industry’s advocacy efforts moving forward.
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Medicare
Star Ratings Momentum: Strategies to Strengthen Medicare Performance
Kim Banker, Strategic Healthcare Programs • Angela Huff, Forvis Mazars
Medicare Star Ratings influence referral patterns, reputation, and competitive positioning for home health agencies. This session examines the key operational and clinical factors driving Star Rating performance and explores practical strategies to improve outcomes. Participants will gain tools to spark measurable improvements in quality scores and patient satisfaction.
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Medicaid
Turning Your EMR Into a Revenue Engine: Optimization Strategies for Medicaid & VA Success
Jacob Taitel, Paradigm Senior Services
Electronic medical record (EMR) platforms contain significant untapped potential to improve billing accuracy and compliance. This session explores practical methods for optimizing EMR workflows to support Medicaid and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) billing requirements. Participants will learn how configuration, documentation alignment, and workflow improvements can fuel faster reimbursement and stronger compliance performance.
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Private Care/Private Duty
Unlocking the Power of Home Care: Thriving in the Value-Based Era for Non-Medical Agencies
Guy Tomassi, Jr., Healthcare Provider Solutions
Non-medical home care providers are uniquely positioned to capitalize on today's shift toward value-based care by serving as strategic partners in improving outcomes across the continuum. This session highlights how activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) directly affect hospital readmissions, recovery, and boost client satisfaction. Participants will learn how strategic partnerships with health systems, payers, and care networks can spark new opportunities for growth and industry leadership. Preparing now is essential to remain competitive and lead in a rapidly transforming care environment.
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
General
AI at the Tipping Point: Igniting Documentation in Home Health
J'non Griffin, SimiTree
Home health clinicians spend significant time documenting care, often leading to administrative burden and burnout. Emerging applications powered by AI are beginning to reshape documentation workflows.
This session explores how AI technologies are being used to automate data capture, support Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) accuracy, and streamline charting processes. Through real-world examples, participants will see how these tools can accelerate productivity and documentation consistency.
10:20 AM – 11:10 AM
General
Compliance in Focus: Mastering Florida’s Regulatory Landscape
Rickey L. Strong, Howell, Buchan & Strong
Florida home care providers operate within a complex regulatory environment governed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). This session provides a practical overview of licensing requirements, administrative procedures under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, and common compliance pitfalls. Participants will gain insights to strengthen compliance and reduce regulatory risk.
10:20 AM – 11:10 AM
Medicare
Bring the Heat: Medicare Problem-Solving Forum
Patti Heid, Home Care Association of Florida (Moderator) • Melinda Gaboury, Healthcare Provider Solutions • J'non Griffin, SimiTree • Kim Skehan, Community Health Accreditation Partner
Have a challenging clinical question, billing issue, or regulatory concern? This interactive, peer-driven session invites participants to surface real-world challenges and collaborate on solutions.
Providers and industry experts will exchange best practices, troubleshoot complex scenarios, and learn from colleagues navigating similar issues. The goal is to ignite meaningful conversation and leave attendees with practical solutions they can apply immediately.
10:20 AM – 11:10 AM
Medicaid
Igniting the Future of Home Care: Scaling a High-Performing Family Home Health Aide Program
Cherylanne Wilson, Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health Care
The Family Home Health Aide (FHHA) program is a structured care model designed to support medically fragile patients while promoting family involvement and continuity of care in the home. Aligned with the theme “Ignite: Spark What’s Next,” the program reflects innovation in care delivery by expanding how families actively participate in safe, effective care. It is built on a compliance-driven framework that emphasizes patient safety, clear eligibility criteria, and alignment with physician orders and the established plan of care. The program incorporates standardized training, competency validation, and strong clinical oversight to ensure caregivers are prepared to deliver high-quality support. When implemented effectively, the FHHA program empowers families, strengthens care continuity, and represents a forward-thinking complement to traditional skilled nursing services.
10:20 AM – 11:10 AM
Private Care/Private Duty
From Invisible to Influential: Building a Social Media Strategy That Drives Home Care Growth
Welton Hong, Senior Care Marketing Max
Social media holds untapped potential for home care agencies — but only when approached with a strategy built for this unique industry. This session breaks down the four-stage social success cycle — social listening, social influencing, social networking, and social selling — and shows how each element builds on the last to create momentum. Participants will leave with a clear, actionable framework to strengthen their online presence, generate quality leads, and turn referral relationships into lasting revenue growth.
10:20 AM – 11:10 AM
General
The Art of Delegation: Leading With Trust & Accountability
Regina Asuncion, Ascension Business Solutions
"The Art of Delegation” aligns directly with the conference theme of Igniting leadership, strategy, and innovation — equipping attendees with the mindset, tools, and proven systems to delegate effectively, implement scalable standard operating procedures, and innovate with feedback systems that fuel continuous growth.
Drawing from the speaker's own journey — scaling Ascension from 12 to 300+ team members and achieving 447% growth from 2023 to 2024, followed by another 428% the next year — Regina Asuncion will share both lessons learned and actionable frameworks agency owners can apply immediately.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
Medicare/Medicaid
When Denials Spark a Financial Fire: Understanding Cost, Risk & Prevention in Managed Care Denials
Melanie Paulk, Managed Care Consultants of America
Managed care denials often begin with small process breakdowns — missing authorizations, incomplete documentation, or payer communication gaps. This session explores the root causes of denials across intake, clinical, and billing workflows and examines the true financial cost of denied claims. Participants will learn strategies to strengthen coordination across departments and spark proactive denial prevention.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
General
Compliance Flashpoints: Top Survey Findings for 2026
Kim Skehan & Matt Santangelo, Community Health Accreditation Partner
Survey findings offer a clear window into the compliance challenges facing home health and home care providers. Representatives from Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) will review the most frequent deficiencies identified during surveys, including the common finding of insufficient individualized plans of care. Participants will gain practical guidance to strengthen compliance programs and spark improvements that reduce survey risk.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
Medicare
From Paper to Purpose: Igniting Patient-Centered Care Plans
Christina Crumbley & Cara Tomlinson, Tidal Healthcare Consulting
Effective care planning goes beyond compliance — it should reflect the patient’s goals, voice, and lived experience. This session explores how interdisciplinary teams can translate patient-stated goals into individualized care plans that enhance outcomes and quality of life. Participants will learn clinical and leadership strategies that help ignite meaningful collaboration while strengthening documentation and patient engagement.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
General
Recruitment Momentum: Winning the Digital War for Talent
Coming Soon
Today’s workforce environment requires home care providers to rethink recruitment. In many cases, home health agencies lose potential candidates before the first conversation simply because they are invisible online. This session explores how agencies can use search engine optimization, employer branding, and targeted digital marketing to attract caregivers and clinical professionals. Participants will learn how strategic marketing can spark a sustainable pipeline of talent.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
General
Referral Chain Reaction: Activating Internal Referrals
Kim Wilkerson, SimiTree
Many agencies have diversified services across multiple divisions, expecting referrals to flow seamlessly between them — but that is not always the case. This session explores how agencies can strengthen internal referral pathways, improve coordination across service lines, and enhance both patient outcomes and financial performance. Participants will learn how intentional systems and communication can ignite stronger organizational growth.
1:30 PM – 2:50 PM
General
AI Innovation Exchange: Rapid-Fire Solutions From the Next Generation of Home Care Technology
Coming Soon
AI is rapidly transforming both clinical care and operational management in home care. In this interactive session, vendors will rotate through small groups to showcase innovative tools supporting predictive analytics, remote patient monitoring, documentation automation, and operational efficiency. Participants will gain a clearer view of emerging technologies and the innovations fueling the next phase of home care.
1:30 PM – 2:50 PM
Medicare
PDGM Mythbusters: What CMS Guidance Really Says
Annette Lee, Provider Insights • Lisa Selman-Holman, McBee
Despite years of experience with the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), many agencies continue to operate under outdated assumptions that affect reimbursement and compliance. This myth-busting session examines current Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance and clarifies common misunderstandings related to clinical grouping, comorbidities, Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA) thresholds, and reimbursement drivers. Participants will gain the clarity needed to spark more confident PDGM management.
1:30 PM – 2:50 PM
Medicaid
Revenue on the Line: Fixing EVV Billing Leaks in 2026
Julio Barea, Livtech In Home Care Division
Even as agencies deliver more care, revenue often slips through the cracks due to denials, documentation gaps, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) issues, and billing delays. This session examines common breakdowns across Medicare and Medicaid billing processes and identifies practical strategies to protect cash flow. Participants will learn how operational improvements can spark stronger financial performance and reduce preventable revenue loss.
1:30 PM – 2:50 PM
General
Pipeline Ignition: Client Acquisition Strategies That Work
Nancy Allen, Solutions for Care • Arlene Maxim, Axxess
Strong client acquisition depends on intentional relationship-building and effective consultation practices. This session explores how agencies can convert inquiries into long-term clients through structured intake processes, strategic referral networks, and professional partnerships. Participants will learn how to cultivate relationships with elder law attorneys, financial professionals, and trust officers to fuel sustained business growth.
1:30 PM – 2:50 PM
Medicare
Harnessing Change: The QAPI – Clinical Operations Collaborative
Cindy Campbell & Katherine Morrison, WellSky
Silos between Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) and operations undermine success in health care at home. Individuals and departments can be working hard, but if they are not aligned and focused on the right priorities, wasted time and effort can occur. Everyone’s role in your agency’s QAPI program contributes to overall performance. The right change, at the right time, can be leveraged to elevate engagement, outcomes, and organizational success. Explore the connection between workforce optimization and clinical analytics to effectively harness change.
3:10 PM – 4:00 PM
Medicare
The Reimbursement Engine: Medicare Payment Updates for 2026
Jennifer Osburn, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Multiple federal programs influence Medicare reimbursement for home health agencies, including the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP), Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®), and the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HHQRP).
This session reviews key regulatory updates — including the face-to-face encounter requirement — and explains how these programs affect agency reimbursement. Participants will gain insights to help ignite stronger financial and compliance performance.
3:10 PM – 4:00 PM
Medicare
Partnership Momentum: Working With ACOs & CINs
Nir Katz & Kristofer Smith, Ruby Health
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) are playing an increasingly important role in value-based care. This session explores how home health agencies can successfully partner with these organizations to improve patient outcomes and financial performance. Participants will learn how these partnerships work, how to get started, and how to spark success in risk-sharing models.
3:10 PM – 4:00 PM
General
Cultivating Success: Growing Your Brand Through Company Culture
Tara Bridges, KanTime
A strong organizational culture is one of the most powerful drivers of recruitment, retention, and long-term business success. This session explores how leadership, culture, and brand identity influence organizational growth. Participants will gain strategies to cultivate stronger workplace culture and spark sustainable expansion.
3:10 PM – 4:00 PM
Private Care/Private Duty
Private Care in Focus: Task Force & Member Town Hall
Denise Bellville, Home Care Association of Florida (Moderator) • Richard Butler, Etairos Health • Ralph Laughton, Heart, Body & Mind Home Care • Michelle Rogers, Health First Home Care
Join HCAF's Private Care Task Force and industry leaders for an open town hall discussion focused on the evolving private pay home care sector. Participants will discuss operational challenges, emerging opportunities, and policy developments affecting this segment of the industry while helping spark ideas for future initiatives.
3:10 PM – 4:00 PM
General
M&A Momentum: Strategies for First-Time Buyers & Sellers
Thomas Rose, 21st Century Health Care Consultants
The home care industry is experiencing increased merger and acquisition activity. This session provides a practical overview of how agencies can navigate the M&A process — from identifying acquisition targets and conducting due diligence to integrating operations and retaining caregivers. Participants will gain insights that help spark successful transactions and long-term growth.
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Afterglow Networking Reception
N/A
Unwind with drinks, appetizers, and great conversations as you take a well-deserved break from the day’s sessions. Join fellow attendees, speakers, and sponsors to recharge, connect, and strengthen relationships across the industry — while enjoying games and keeping the momentum going.
9:00 AM – 10:20 AM
General
Policy Under the Flame: Agency for Health Care Administration Update
Kimberly Smoak, Susan Harris Lowery & Kimberly McIntyre, Agency for Health Care Administration
Leadership from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) will provide an update on key state policy developments affecting home health and home care providers in Florida. This session will highlight regulatory initiatives, program updates, and emerging policy considerations that could fuel significant changes in the care-at-home landscape.
9:00 AM – 10:20 AM
General
Growth Accelerator: Driving Profitability in Home Care
Paige Parker, Community Health Accreditation Partner
This session introduces a practical, zero-cost framework to ignite sustainable growth in community-based health care organizations by addressing the core barriers that stall performance: leadership gaps, cultural misalignment, talent challenges, and lack of strategic focus. Participants will learn how to sharpen agency differentiation and apply a lead-measure approach centered on reach, frequency, and high-impact consultative messaging. The session also explores how to build accountability through clear goals, structured routing, and meaningful data utilization. Attendees will leave with a clear blueprint to diagnose underperformance and turn strategy into consistent, measurable results.
10:35 AM – 11:55 AM
General
Employment Law Update With Josh & Natalie: Identifying Risks, Trends, and Recommendations So Your Compliance Doesn’t Go Up in Flames
Josh Vaughn & Natalie Storch, Littler
You’ve never seen a legal breakout like this one. Join our Littler friends, Josh Vaughn, Esq., and Natalie Storch, Esq., as they light the match that sparks your “aha” moment that leads to improved employment law compliance. In addition to providing wine recommendations, Josh and Natalie will provide updates on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) companionship and live-in exemption regulations, identify trends in agency and litigation claims pursued against home care employers (and how to avoid being on next year’s slides!), and will answer your burning employment law questions. Please come rested — you’ll need your strength to keep up with this fast-paced session that you’ll rave about to your friends and that they’ll be upset they missed!
10:35 AM – 11:55 AM
General
The Quality Accelerator: Building a Culture of Excellence
Melinda Gaboury, Healthcare Provider Solutions
Developing a strong organizational culture of quality requires more than regulatory compliance — it demands leadership commitment, transparency, and continuous improvement. This interactive session provides practical guidance for assessing organizational culture and implementing strategies that strengthen accountability and performance. Participants will learn how intentional leadership can ignite lasting quality improvement.
10:35 AM – 11:55 AM
Medicaid
Medicaid Session (Title To Be Announced)
Damon Terzaghi, National Alliance for Care at Home
Coming soon!
10:35 AM – 11:25 AM
Private Care/Private Duty
Sales Momentum: Building High-Performing Referral Teams
John Dalton, Optimum RTS
Sales productivity is not accidental — it is engineered through structure, accountability, and disciplined activity. This session explores the leadership practices and operational strategies that drive sustainable referral growth. Participants will learn how structured outreach, effective messaging, and strong oversight can fuel consistent sales performance.
10:35 AM – 11:25 AM
General
Leading Through the Fire: Building Resilient Teams in Times of Change
J'non Griffin, SimiTree • Michelle Rogers, Health First Home Care
Change has become a constant reality in health care. Effective leaders must guide teams through uncertainty while maintaining trust, accountability, and organizational stability. This interactive session explores proven change management frameworks and leadership strategies that help organizations adapt successfully. Participants will learn how leaders can spark resilience, manage resistance, and build teams capable of sustaining transformation.
The Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) exists to provide representation, communication, and advocacy for home care providers, and to give them the education and resources they need to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services to patients and clients at home.
© 2026 Home Care Association of Florida. All Rights Reserved.
The Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) exists to provide representation, communication, and advocacy for home care providers, and to give them the education and resources they need to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services to patients and clients at home.
© 2026 Home Care Association of Florida. All Rights Reserved.