MainCon Day 1

9:00 AM-10:00 AM | General Track | Citron North-Center

President's Address & Excellence in Home Care Awards

Cindy Lavoie, Interim Healthcare of Northwest Florida & HCAF President

Join HCAF President Cindy Lavoie as she kicks off HomeCareCon with a warm welcome and the presentation of the 12th Annual Excellence in Home Care Awards. This ceremony honors the dedication and excellence of home care industry professionals, celebrating their commitment to delivering quality care and exceptional service to those they serve.

The award categories are:

• Terri Santangelo Outstanding Leader Award: Named in honor of HCAF’s beloved former president, this award recognizes a clinical or agency leader who exemplifies Terri’s leadership qualities and inspires staff to achieve excellence in home care service.
• Outstanding Professional Caregiver Award: This award honors an exceptional clinician who is actively engaged in daily home care services and consistently delivers outstanding care to patients in their homes.
• Outstanding Paraprofessional Caregiver Award: This award celebrates the invaluable contributions of paraprofessional caregivers who play a vital role in home care services.

Celebrate the achievements of your peers and be inspired by their dedication to the field of home care.

10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Medicare Track | Citron North-Center

Medicare Matters: Federal Public Policy Insights

Michael Bibbins, Palmetto GBA • Elizabeth Brogdon, Palmetto GBA • Kimberly Skehan, Community Health Accreditation Partner • Kimberly Wilkerson, SimiTree

Explore essential insights and updates crucial for the future of home health in this engaging session. Michael Bibbins and Elizabeth Brogdon of Palmetto GBA, along with Kimberly Skehan of Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) and Kimberly Wilkerson of SimiTree, will jointly present on critical topics affecting Medicare-certified home health providers, including fee-for-service policy issues, reimbursement complexities under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), and Medicare Advantage.

10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Private Care/Private Duty Track | Citron West

Dream, Believe, Achieve: National Strategies for Successful Staff Retention in Home Care in Florida

Brandi Kurtyka, MissionCare Collective

Join Brandi Kurtyka, founder and CEO of MissionCare Collective, for an insightful session on achieving successful staff retention in the home care industry. Brandi will share innovative strategies and national best practices that can be effectively implemented in Florida. By dreaming big and believing in the potential of our workforce, we can shape a brighter future for home care nationwide. Through collaboration and resilience, we will navigate the challenges of staff turnover and explore ways to foster a supportive and engaging work environment. Join Brandi for insights gleaned from her experience in the field and explore key elements of staff retention success. Together, let’s dream, believe, and achieve a future where our home care workforce thrives.

11:20 AM-12:20 PM | General Track | Citron North-Center

2025 National Home Care Policy Primer: Shaping the Future of Care

William A. Dombi, Esq., National Association for Home Care & Hospice

Join National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) President Bill Dombi, Esq., for an overview of the latest policy developments and trends in home health care. Attendees will glean insights into the current national landscape and examine how federal policies are shaping home care operations in Florida. Bill will guide attendees through essential topics, such as ongoing federal legislation and Medicare's proposed payment rule for 2025, among other critical areas of focus. Join Bill for his last HomeCareCon before retirement as he explores these crucial issues and envisions a future of innovation, collaboration, and resilience in the home care industry.

11:20 AM-12:20 PM | Private Care/Private Duty Track | Citron West

The UN-LEADERSHIP: UN-Leashing, UN-Locking, and UN-Bounding Your Leadership Potential in Today's Ambiguous World

Michael Allison, The Adversity Academy

Join Michael Allison as he introduces "THE UN-LEADERSHIP," presenting a novel outlook on leadership amidst ambiguity and uncertainty. This keynote empowers individuals to unlock their latent leadership potential, offering practical insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Participants embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, gaining a profound understanding of unconventional leadership approaches.

In "THE UN-LEADERSHIP," attendees acquire skills to unleash their dormant leadership potential and unlock new possibilities, expanding their capacity to lead effectively. Through this empowering session, they discover innovative strategies to navigate uncertainty, break barriers, and harness untapped capabilities. Michael delves deep into the core of leadership, unveiling unorthodox methods that redefine traditional paradigms.

This talk transcends conventional leadership norms, providing a transformative experience that empowers individuals to redefine their approach and emerge as visionary leaders. Equipped with actionable insights and a renewed mindset, participants embrace ambiguity as a catalyst for growth and innovation. "THE UN-LEADERSHIP" guarantees a dynamic, thought-provoking experience that inspires individuals to shine brightest amidst uncertainty.

1:50 PM-3:10 PM | General Track | Citron North-Center

Medicaid Managed Care Panel Discussion

Denise Bellville, Home Care Association of Florida (moderator) • Duenna Dorsett, Sunshine Health • Ada Gutierrez, Humana • Joe Rogers, UnitedHealthcare Florida Health Plan • Renee Thomas, Simply Healthcare Plans

In this session, a distinguished panel of managed care industry leaders will delve into the challenges and opportunities confronting home care providers in today’s rapidly evolving health care landscape. Representing managed care organizations that offer health coverage for Medicaid recipients, Medicare beneficiaries, and individual health insurance plan members, these participants will tackle key issues head-on. Topics of discussion will include the upcoming six-year contract period of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, the Medicaid Private Duty Nursing (PDN) rate increase recently passed during the 2024 legislative session, and the implications of value-based purchasing. Additionally, the panel will analyze the impact of recent legislative and regulatory changes on the home care industry. Moreover, they will explore strategies for fostering partnerships among providers, payers, and policymakers to enhance outcomes for patients and their families.

1:50 PM-3:10 PM | Private Care/Private Duty Track | Citron East

Latest Legal Developments Impacting the Industry & Analysis of Florida Home Care Models

Angelo Spinola, Esq., Polsinelli

Join Polsinelli Shareholder Angelo Spinola for an in-depth session on the latest legal updates and legislative changes impacting home-based care delivery models. This session will provide a high-level overview of significant laws, rulings, and legal trends affecting the industry. Angelo will offer strategies and tools for improving compliance amid a rapidly changing legislative landscape, ensuring your business remains both compliant and successful.

Key topics include:

• Summary of the most significant legal trends and updates impacting home care agencies.
• High-level review of different models for home care delivery — agency (W-2), registry (1099), and virtual marketplaces.
• Discussion of compliance obstacles and licensing requirements for each model.
• Considerations and strategies for providers contemplating expanding to a new model.
• Challenges and opportunities for running a dual-model business.

Equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the evolving legal environment and optimize your operations.

1:50 PM-3:10 PM | General Track | Citron West

Reviving Resilience: Overcoming Burnout in Health Care

Colleen DelVecchio, Maxady

Are you or your team feeling overwhelmed by burnout? In the demanding field of health care, burnout poses unique challenges that hinder success. Join us as we embark on a journey to banish burnout, explore practical strategies, share personal experiences, and foster a supportive community dedicated to promoting well-being and success.

Burnout is a pervasive issue with far-reaching consequences, including decreased employee engagement, lower productivity, higher absenteeism, and increased turnover. With a staggering 76% of employees experiencing burnout even before the pandemic, it's evident that burnout is a workplace crisis that demands urgent attention.

In this session, we'll confront the detrimental effects of burnout head-on, including its role in "quiet quitting" and its impact on employee engagement, productivity, absenteeism, and turnover. You'll discover proven tactics to combat burnout and revive resilience within yourself and your team.

1:50 PM-3:10 PM | Medicare Track | Meyer 1

Mastering the Evolution: HHVBP Model Updates & Enhanced Performance Strategies

Chris Attaya, Strategic Healthcare Programs & Angela Huff, FORVIS

With the Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model changing in its third year, home health agencies must adapt to evolving scoring methodologies to enhance their Total Performance Scores (TPS). In this session, the speakers will provide valuable insights into the latest updates to the model and offer guidance on how agencies can effectively prepare for these changes. Join us to stay informed and optimize your performance in the evolving landscape of HHVBP.

1:50 PM-3:10 PM | Medicare Track | Meyer 2

Mastering ADR Success: Strategies and Processes for Compliance and Readiness

Annette Lee, Provider Insights/Home Health Fundamentals

Join us for an insightful session led by a former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) medical review nurse, who will provide invaluable insights into what reviewers are truly seeking in your medical records. Through real documentation review and the utilization of a medical review hierarchy checklist provided as a bonus tool, participants will gain a practical understanding of the process.

This session will also focus on optimizing operations and implementing effective processes to ensure compliance upfront, equipping participants to be audit-ready at any time for Additional Documentation Requests (ADRs). From sales to intake, admission, and ongoing clinical care, each team member's role in compliance will be explored, along with strategies for empowering them with the necessary information and tools for success.

1:50 PM-3:10 PM | Private Care/Private Duty Track | Sunburst

Home Care – The New Frontier: Reimagining Care in the Home

Guy Tommasi, Jr., Corcoran Consulting Group

As non-medical home care continues to rise as a pivotal player in whole-person care, stakeholders seek trusted allies in advancing value-based care initiatives. Is your agency ready to take its place at the value-based care table? This session will unveil essential data and metrics to craft your agency's value proposition, positioning you as a valuable partner in shaping the future of home care.

3:30 PM-4:20 PM | Medicare Track | Citron North-Center

Embracing Payer Mix Transitions in Home Health: Thriving Amidst Change

Alicia Marr, Excelin Home Care

This presentation delves into the evolving dynamics of payer mix within home health care, examining the trends, challenges, and strategies crucial for embracing these shifts. As payer mix dynamics directly impact financial, operational, and quality of care aspects, understanding these changes is vital for home health agencies aiming to flourish in an ever-changing health care environment.

3:30 PM-4:20 PM | General Track | Citron East

Dream Big, Achieve Bigger: Elevating Home Care Marketing With Social Media

Kelly Smith, Nestcare

Join us for an engaging session tailored to home care professionals aspiring to enhance their organization's visibility and influence. This presentation will navigate participants through cutting-edge social media strategies customized for the distinct requirements of the home care industry. Attendees will gain valuable insights on effectively connecting with their audience, highlighting their services, and cultivating a reputable online presence. By the conclusion of the session, participants will be armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to revolutionize their home care services through impactful social media marketing.

3:30 PM-4:20 PM | Clinical & Quality Improvement Track | Citron West

Shaping the Future of Home Health Compliance

Nancy Allen, Solutions for Care & Margherita Labson, MCLabson Consultation and Education, LLC

Join us for a dynamic session that equips attendees with the knowledge and techniques to excel in compliance, both now and in the future. Being deficiency-free is not just a dream; our presenters will debunk compliance myths, instill confidence in your operational abilities, and provide practical strategies for managing audits effectively. Discover how to innovate and optimize within the realm of value-based care, ensuring your organization thrives in the dynamic world of home health.

3:30 PM-4:20 PM | Operations, Financial & Human Resources Track | Meyer 1

Sustaining Talent: Crafting a Robust Caregiver Retention Strategy

Cecilia Ariola-Adams, HHAeXchange • Roger Lopez, United HomeCare • Alex Oosterveen, Caribou Rewards

Despite advancements in recruitment, caregiver turnover remains a pressing issue in the home care industry. Organizations often grapple with retaining caregivers even after streamlining their hiring processes. Join us for an insightful panel discussion focusing on a comprehensive caregiver retention strategy. Delve into the prevailing challenges agencies confront today, explore effective solutions to mitigate turnover, and gain foresight into upcoming trends in caregiver retention. Don't miss this opportunity to fortify your approach to talent sustainability in the home care industry.

3:30 PM-4:20 PM | General Track | Meyer 2

Forewarned is Forearmed: Tactical Solutions for Ensuring Safety During Home Visits

Arlene Maxim, Axxess & Mike Manis

This session provides vital insights into addressing violence in health care settings, spanning from hospitals to home health services. The speakers will explore recent data on rising assaults on health care workers and the unique risks in home care, including domestic violence. Attendees will learn practical strategies to prioritize staff safety, including gathering patient information and enhancing security measures. They'll also discover the importance of equipping staff with self-defense tools and tactics. By embracing strategic training and support, participants will ensure staff safety and elevate patient care at home.

3:30 PM-4:20 PM | General Track | Sunburst

Unveiling the Virtual Assistant Back Office: Navigating Pros & Cons

Elmer Arcenal, A+ Quality Management and Consulting

In this session, attendees will gain valuable insights into the implementation of a successful virtual assistant (VA) back office. Led by a seasoned home care provider, this presentation offers a comprehensive overview of VA services, along with a thorough examination of the associated pros and cons. Join us as we learn from firsthand experience and explore strategies for optimizing VA utilization in your agency.