Locating Your Event Within the App

1. Click on one of the links above or type in R@H Conference Beat Event App in your app store. Click download.
2. To locate your event within the app, tap Current Events.
3. Locate your event from the listing (2019 Fall Conference) and tap to read the event details.
4. To open the event, tap the Go to Event button at the bottom.
   

Handouts

Click here to sign in to the app to download and print the presenter’s handouts. To access the handouts, click on:

1. Agenda
2. Select the session you want
3. Click on the Materials tab next to the Info tab
4. If you do not see a Materials tab - we have not received the handouts from the presenter yet.

Handouts will be posted for 3 weeks following the conference. Please note, in some cases, the presenters will bring materials that will be used interactively.

Or click here:

https://ruralcaregiving.int-research.com/10891online/survey.cgi

Duties will include:

• Monitor and analyze state and federal regulations dealing with home health, home care, hospice and other home and community-based programs.
• Monitor current home care trends, issues and strategies.
• Develop written documents for state and federal regulatory agencies, as well as Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation.
• Work with staff and committees to develop an advocacy engagement plan and coordinate implementation.
• Ensure members are receiving valuable, up-to-the-minute news by synthesizing and coordinating the dissemination of appropriate information.
• Contribute to the association’s newsletter and other member communications.
• Represent MHCA in a professional and supportive manner at various state agency and member meetings. Serve as lead staff for assigned member committees.
• Provide member guidance and assistance with regulatory issues, ensuring the Executive Director is aware of trends.
• Assist with identification of priority legislative and regulatory advocacy issues.
• Assure the ‘voice’ of MHCA is strong and recognizable as a resource for advocacy and support of the home care provider.
• Work with the Communications and Member Relations Manager to increase member engagement/advocacy in policy related issues.

Qualifications and Key Competencies:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus 3-5 years’ experience.
2. Home care and/or association experience is preferred.
3. Working knowledge of health care regulatory system, including Medicare, Medicaid and legislative process.
4. Ability to understand and clearly synthesize complex policies, with strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
5. Embraces change and is comfortable working in a dynamic industry with changing priorities.
6. Excellent organizational and time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects with competing priorities and demands.
7. Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, knowledge retention and ability to recall large amounts of detailed information.
8. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and effective listening skills.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to remain diplomatic and effective under pressure.
10. Ability to work independently and in team environment.
11. Proficient in use of Microsoft Suite.
12. Ability to travel, as needed.

Salary commensurate with experience. Resumes and salary requirements can be sent to Kathy Messerli.

• Station 1: Temp, mouth care, hearing aids, pulse, respiration
• Station 2: Mobility, range of motion
• Station 3: Bathing, skin care, shampoo in bed, shaving, dressing

This is also an opportunity to share how to educate and encourage experienced unlicensed personnel to perform to expectations.

Note: this workshop will not address medications

1. Stabilize the Home Care Infrastructure. MHCA will lead efforts to establish a billing code for the “Start of Service” that will include a reimbursement rate that accurately reflects the true cost of starting services for individuals in need of home care services.
   
   The MHCA will continue an active role in the long-term research and development of a new rate setting methodology establishing reimbursement rates for Medical Assistance home care services.
   
   
2. Ensure the safety of home care professionals. MHCA will lead the effort to require that home care agencies are notified, prior to admission, if an individual to be served is a registered predatory offender as is currently required for facility-based providers.
   
   
3. Clarify home care regulations. The MHCA will lead coalition efforts to clarify Minnesota laws that regulate the provision of home health care services in the state to ensure that the laws are unambiguous, provide for transparent processes, and allow for the effective enforcement and compliance.
   
   
4. Other home care issues. MHCA will engage on issues as necessary to ensure a strong and viable home care system in Minnesota. This would include, but is not limited to, engaging on initiatives concerning elder abuse, leading efforts on electronic visit verification legislation, supporting certain PCA proposals and the Spenddown legislation; and, monitoring legislation related to other issues impacting Home Care in Minnesota.

Click here to read the full MHCA Legislative Agenda.

"I attended the Summit last year and not only were the speakers great, but I was able to connect with most of the Minnesota delegation. It's not every day that you get face time with federal legislators! I encourage anyone who is interested to register."
Kim Olson, Lake Region Home Health

Hillary Loeffler, CMS Director of the Home Health and Hospice Division, will present at the Summit, sponsored by the Council of State Home Care and Hospice Associations. Register today to attend the Summit and Minnesota federal advocacy day on Capitol Hill the following day on Sept. 12.

The Summit agenda also includes details about CMS’ plans for electronic visit verification (EVV), how managed LTSS is faring across the country, and what Medicare Advantage plans will cover now that they are permitted to offer non-traditional services such as personal care.

Click here for the full agenda and to register for the Public Policy Summit and Advocacy Day. Cost is $250 per person and includes the Summit and Minnesota federal advocacy day on Capitol Hill.

Remember to book your overnights, too! Click here or call 1-877-212-5752 to make overnight reservations at the Mayflower Hotel. Reference the Council of State Home Care Associations Policy Summit to take advantage of the discounted room block rate of $266. The deadline to secure this rate is Aug. 24.

Watch the Webinar Recording

Please note: not all slides were covered in the presentation, but you can view all the slides in the handout materials, below.

Handout Materials

Download - Wound Assessment and Management Slides

The following pdf documents are supplemental materials for the 3/14/18 Region Meeting education on "Wound Assessment and Management".

• Arterial Ulcer
• Debridement Dressings
• LE Wound Guide
• Off Loading
• Foot Care for a Lifetime
• Venous Stasis

Download - MHCA Updates from MHCA Executive Director

Continuing Education

This education session is approved for one (1) contact hour of Continuing Education for Nursing. You must complete the test to be granted the CE.

Start the Test

*Curaport, LLC is an approved provider of Continuing Education by the California Board of Registered Nursing. All states accept this certification for their licensure requirements.

In the past, aides in home care and long-term care have had limited exposure to individuals receiving enteral nutrition, commonly referred to as tube feedings. However, this is changing rapidly with the increase in the level of care needed for individuals in home care.
Objectives
• Explain the difference between enteral nutrition and normal digestive process
• Describe when enteral nutrition can be used as well as not used
• Recognize different types of tubes, formula and equipment associated with enteral nutrition
• List common enteral feeding complications and possible causes
• Identify observations requiring prompt report to the nurse
• State care and support the aide can provide related to enteral nutrition issues

Contact Time
1 contact hour(s) based on 60 minute contact hour
As a reminder, RCTCLearn.net is a benefit of membership. Questions on getting started? Contact Annie at axiong@mnhomecare.org.

MHCA expresses thanks to NGS for their responsiveness to our requests that CMS provide F2F education for physicians.

MHCA asked Mr. Rodè to clarify the suggestion for a home care provider to contact MAARC/MDH/OHFC within five days of reporting actual or suspected issues regarding maltreatment, neglect, abuse or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.   Mr. Rodè has provided the following clarification.

While the follow-up report requirement for child maltreatment is clear in statute, it’s less clear when examining home care agencies providing care to vulnerable adults.  Technically, all that a home care agency needs to do is the initial and timely report of suspected maltreatment/neglect/abuse/ exploitation to MAARC as the five-day follow-up report is mandated for SNF/NF providers.   This has not always been clearly interpreted by some at MDH – often when the home care agency is a HWS’ pre-arranged home care provider.   A home care agency’s proof of thorough and timely investigations and reporting (internally and externally) and working with the state are best practices for effective risk management.

Mr. Rodè emphasized that while the five-day follow up is not required for a home care agency, it can be the agency’s choice to do so. 

Once again, all MHCA Regions will meet on the same day and participate in an online in-service. The June topic is “Client Assessments Related to Changes in Condition and for the Prevention of Slips, Stumbles and Falls”, presented by Lores Vlaminck, MA, BSN, RN, CHPN.

Kathy Messerli, MHCA Executive Director will also provide an update on all the regulatory and legislative activities affecting providers and you’ll have an opportunity to meet with the colleagues in your region and discuss timely home care topics.

For more information on your respective region meeting & to RVSP please click here. RSVP deadline is Friday, June 9.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To view upcoming Region Meetings on the MHCA calendar, you must be a current member and login. Please contact Annie at axiong@mnhomecare.org for your log-in information or to create a new account.

As reported at the MHCA Annual Business Meeting last Friday, the following individuals were recently elected to the following board positions:
Metro Director: Jay Jones, Superior Home Care Nursing, LLC
Greater MN Director: Kim Olson, Lake Region Home Health
At-Large Director: Bekki Drewlo, Fairview Lakes HomeCaring & Hospice

Lisa Fowler has decided to step off the board and will be replaced by Judy Giel as a Metro Director. MHCA is grateful for Lisa’s passion for the home care industry and extends a thank you for her service the past three years.

We welcome Bekki to the board and are grateful that Jay, Kim and Judy will be returning.

The board also voted on officers last Tuesday. Leading MHCA as officers for the upcoming year are:
Chair: Jay Jones, Superior Home Care Nursing, LLC
Immediate Past Chair: Jan Usset, Allina Health Home Health
Vice Chair: Kim Olson, Lake Region Home Health
Treasurer: Austin Figge, Prairie River Home Care, Inc

Karen Seifert, founder of Hiawatha HomeCare, was named Minnesota Home Care Professional of the Year. The MHCA’s highest honor is bestowed upon an individual who brings special spirit, skill, style, commitment and compassion to their work.

In 1985, Karen Seifert gave birth to a medically fragile baby boy. This sweet boy, Michael, spent the first two and a half years of his life in and out of the hospital. His family was told to take Michael home to die. So Karen took her son home. But not to die. Karen declared “I’m taking him home to LIVE!”

After bringing Michael home with orders for 24-hour nursing services, it became clear that there were not any home care agencies that were able to provide the 24-hour care her ventilator dependent son required, especially in Red Wing.

In 1998, Mrs. Seifert opened her own agency – Hiawatha HomeCare. Karen is one of the pioneers as it pertains to providing complex home care nursing services for medically fragile children and adults. Over the last 29 years, her vision and passion for home care has enabled hundreds of children and adults to discharge from the hospital and live life at home with their families – where they belong.

It’s Karen’s personal understanding of what it is like to live at home with 24-hour nursing that makes her and Hiawatha HomeCare unique. Her passion, commitment and philosophy of keeping families together at home remains unchanged.

And Michael? He continues to flourish at home, thanks to his 24-hour nursing and the love and dedication of his family.

Congratulations, Karen.

Top 5 Reasons to Attend!

• TO LEARN & ADVANCE YOUR CAREER – Attend top rated education sessions and participate in hands-on simulations in the expo hall
  
• TO BE INSPIRED – Celebrate your colleagues’ achievements at the Recognition Program
  
• TO GAIN INSIGHT – Get answers to your most pressing questions - “Ask the Nurse Consultant” or visit with MDH & DHS staff during expo hours
  
• TO FIND NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS – Visit 40+ exhibits featuring home care products and services designed to increase your agency’s efficiency and level of care
  
• TO NETWORK & MEET NEW PEOPLE – Meet and mingle with the people who “speak your language” during networking events and region meetings

For additional meeting details and registration information, please visit www.mnhomecare.org/AnnualMeeting. Watch your mail – registration brochures will be arriving soon!

Questions? Please contact education@mnhomecare.org.

Like us on Facebook #MHCAAnnualMeeting

The 2016 election saw the Republican Party candidates win the Presidency, maintain Congress, and take over the MN Legislature. As far as the political campaign rhetoric and promises of these now victorious candidates, Obamacare and the current health care policy of the past administration is a primary piece of the new leadership’s agenda moving forward. For the life of Obamacare, per the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Obamacare has had only a minor impact on home care and hospice. The expanded population of insured, through employer-based insurance, the insurance exchanges, or Medicaid generally does not involve people who need or use home or hospice. Instead, the ‘expanded’ population of insured due to Obamacare is primarily younger individuals and young families.

Moreover, the apparent intent of the new Republican administration and Congress is to repeal and replace Obamacare. However, it appears that within the latest announcements and developments in the Trump administration and Congressional leadership, changes would be on a more incremental pace and a select few features of Obamacare would be targeted instead of a full overhaul. The employer mandate is one area of Obamacare that has had the greatest impact on home care and hospice. Companies providing Medicaid-funded services and private pay, personal care services companies most often were at risk of penalties under the employer mandate as qualified health insurance generally was not available to nonprofessional employees or was deemed unaffordable by those employees. To deflect the penalty risk or health insurance costs, many home care employers were forced to restrict working hours to limit the number of full-time (30+ hour) employees. It would be presumed that the repeal of the employer mandate or the suspension of the employer penalties would be a welcome change for home care employers.

In Minnesota, the legislative priorities coming in with the Republican takeover of the State Senate and maintenance of majority in the State House is addressing workforce shortage within the home care industry. Another likely legislative priority important to home care in Minnesota is a focus on education and educational programming pertinent to home care workforce issues. There are many new faces in leadership, and it is clear that strong grassroots efforts by home care providers throughout the state of Minnesota would be key in shaping these legislative priorities.