MainCon Day 1

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

Welcome, President's Address & Excellence in Home Care Awards

Cindy Lavoie, Interim Healthcare of Northwest Florida & HCAF President

Please join HCAF President Cindy Lavoie for opening remarks to kick off the HomeCareCon 35th Annual Conference & Trade Show. Additionally, the 12th Annual Excellence in Home Care Awards presentation will take place to honor home care professionals for their dedication to the provision of quality care and for their exemplary service to those they serve.

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

Medicare Session

To be announced

Coming soon

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

Kristen Wheeler, National Association for Home Care & Hospice

Join Kristen Wheeler, Executive Director of Private Duty at the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and former operator of a Florida Private Duty agency, for an insightful session on achieving successful staff retention in the home care industry. Kristen 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 us as Kristen shares insights gleaned from her experience in the field and delves into the 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-Central

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. Come join us as we examine these pivotal issues and envision 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 | Medicare Track | Citron North-Central

Medicaid Managed Care Panel Discussion

Panelists to be announced

As part of this panel discussion, a distinguished panel of managed care industry leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing home care providers in today's rapidly evolving health care landscape. Participants on the panel represent managed care organizations that provide health coverage for Medicaid recipients, Medicare beneficiaries, and individual health insurance plan members. Throughout the discussion, the panel will address key issues, including the next six-year contract period of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, the Medicaid private duty nursing (PDN) rate increase passed during the 2024 legislative session, the importance of patient-centered care, and the challenges associated with managing health care costs in a complex and dynamic environment. Further, the panel will examine the impact of recent legislative and regulatory changes on the home care industry, and discuss strategies for building partnerships between providers, payers, and policymakers to promote better outcomes for patients and their families.

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

Latest Legal Developments Impacting the Home Care Industry

Angelo Spinola, Esq., Polsinelli

Coming soon

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 2

Mastering the Evolution: HHVBP Model Updates & Enhanced Performance Strategies

Chris Attaya, Strategic Healthcare Programs • Angela Huff, FORVIS

With the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Expanded 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 1

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

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-Central

Embracing Payer Mix Transitions in Home Health: Thriving Amidst Change

J'non Griffin, SimiTree & 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 2

Sustaining Talent: Crafting a Robust Caregiver Retention Strategy

Cecilia Ariola-Adams, HHAeXchange

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 1

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.