Description

 HCA Quality and Compliance Conference 

Date: June 12, 2025. 9:00am - 1:00 pm

We are excited to announce in-person HCA Quality and Compliance Conference. The conference promises to provide valuable insights for home health agencies on navigating regulatory compliance and staying up to date with industry best practices.

Audit and Denials

Debra Grott, RN, VP of Compliance, SimiTree

This presentation will focus on audits and the most common reasons for denials, offering practical strategies to mitigate risks and ensure compliance. 

MassHealth Regulatory Update

April Miranda, Program Manager / Angie Berghaus, MPH, RRT, Program Specialist

Home Health, and Therapy, MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Reaching for the Stars: A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Agency Outcomes.

Amy Waske Jo, PT PCC, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer at Care Central VNA & Hospice Inc

This dynamic presentation will guide home health agency leaders and quality improvement professionals through a strategic and data-driven approach to enhancing performance outcomes. With a focus on improving CMS Star Ratings and succeeding under the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) model, attendees will learn how to develop and implement an effective Strategy and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The session will cover the key components of an actionable plan, including data analysis, staff engagement, patient-centered care practices, and continuous performance monitoring. Real-world examples and evidence-based practices will illustrate how agencies can align operations with CMS expectations and elevate both clinical and patient satisfaction metrics.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the components and significance of CMS Star Ratings and Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) outcomes.
• Identify performance gaps using data analytics and quality indicators to target areas for improvement.
• Develop a comprehensive Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) that includes measurable goals, timelines, and accountability structures.
• Implement strategic interventions that promote clinical excellence, patient engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate ongoing performance and adjust strategies to sustain long-term improvements and regulatory compliance.

This presentation is ideal for agency administrators, clinical managers, and quality improvement teams aiming to elevate their agency’s performance, enhance patient outcomes, and thrive in today’s value-driven healthcare environment.

Compliance Overview - Understanding the Essentials in Home Health

Melissa Gordon, MBA, BSN, RN Director, SimiTree

This presentation provides home health care professionals with a foundational understanding of healthcare compliance, focusing on the role of the Chief Compliance Officer, key regulations (HIPAA, corporate compliance, MassHealth), and the intersection of compliance with quality improvement.

Participants will learn to identify common risk areas, understand audit processes, and apply practical strategies to support regulatory readiness. The presentation equips learners with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain ethical, compliant, and high-performing home health operations.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the role of compliance in home health care and understand the responsibilities of the Chief Compliance Officer 
• Learn the fundamentals of healthcare compliance, including corporate compliance, HIPAA, and state-specific expectations (e.g., MassHealth).
• Identify the different types of audits and how they relate to risk management and organizational accountability
• Understand the purpose of internal and external audits and how compliance intersects with quality improvement efforts.
• Recognize common areas of risk and non-compliance in daily operations
• Gain awareness of practical risk areas (e.g., documentation, billing practices) and how to respond.
• Utilize key compliance resources to stay current and support regulatory readiness

Speakers:

Debra Grott, RN, VP of Compliance, SimiTree. Debra Grott has over 20 years of dedicated experience in the home health and hospice industry. Is an established strategic clinical consultant specializing in operational excellence and regulatory compliance. As Vice President of Clinical Compliance, Debra provides comprehensive support to healthcare organizations navigating the complex landscape of home health, hospice and home care consulting, Medicare audits, and regulatory requirements.

April Miranda, Program Manager / Angie Berghaus, MPH, RRT, Program Specialist

Home Health, and Therapy, MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports, Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Amy Waske Jo, PT PCC brings more than 20 years of expertise ranging from direct patient care to operations and management. Amy has a firm background in healthcare data analytics, quality measures, and performance improvement. She is passionate about supporting clinicians and home health agencies in their efforts to optimize documentation, manage utilization, and improve outcomes. She currently serves as Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer at Care Central VNA & Hospice Inc. in Massachusetts. Amy is also currently pursuing her MBA in Healthcare Management from Clarkson University.

Melissa Gordon, MBA, BSN, RN Director Melissa is a results-driven leader with extensive expertise in the home health, hospice, and private duty sectors. She excels at balancing exceptional patient care with organizational and financial efficiencies, consistently driving organizations to refine operational and growth strategies, resulting in improved patient outcomes and increased agency profitability. Melissa’s experience spans C-suite leadership, administration, quality, business development, and intake for both for-profit and non-profit agencies. She has successfully led multi-state, multi-agency clinical, quality, and education teams. Melissa holds an MBA from The University of New Haven (CT), a B.S. from Southern New Hampshire University, a BSN from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and is a graduate of Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing (an affiliate of Yale Health System). She is a recipient of the prestigious Connecticut Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing and holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Melissa has been actively involved with the Board and Quality committee of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home for many years, contributing to policy development, industry advocacy, and the advancement of best practices in the industry.

Price: Members $139