Cracking the Code

by Rowan Report | Feb 27, 2025 | Admin, Artificial Intelligence

by Siva Juturi, Automation Edge

How Home Health Agencies Can Boost Referral Conversion Rates

Referrals are the lifeblood of home health agencies. We’re not just talking about numbers but about connecting families with critical care. Our research shows that 94% of customers will recommend a satisfactory company.

Why Track Referrals?

Referrals:

Increase client acquisition efficiency
Boost customer loyalty and retention
Strengthen sales and revenue

Surprising Referral Sources

A Private Duty Benchmarking Study Notes:

19.5% from current and former clients
8.8% from hospital discharge planners
7.1% from Medicare-certified home health agencies

The Catch

Generating referrals is only half the battle. Despite being a top source of new clients, referral conversions often encounter specific challenges that hinder their effectiveness.

Complications with Referral Conversions

Why converting referrals into paying clients can be tricky:

Delayed Response Time
- Clients often reach out to multiple agencies. The first one to respond usually wins. Yet, it takes intake coordinators about 70 minutes to review a referral packet—plenty of time for potential clients to move on.
Misaligned Services
- About 30% of referrals are rejected because the client’s needs don’t match the agency’s offerings, especially for specialized care.
Weak Referral Partnerships
- Relationships with hospitals, discharge planners, or nursing facilities are gold, but if they’re not nurtured, the referrals dwindle—or worse, they’re not high-quality.

Strategies to Boost Referral Conversion Rate

Act Fast with Automation
- Speed is everything. Implementing a rapid response system with AI-powered referral management can drastically reduce processing times and ensure accuracy. Tools that automate data extraction from referral sources mean fewer errors and quicker responses—clients notice when you’re prompt!
Understand Clients Thoroughly
- Structured information gathering during the first interaction helps you truly understand a client’s needs. Personalizing care plans fosters trust and ensures your services match their expectations.
Empower Your Staff

- Your team is the face of your agency. Equip them with training in empathy, effective communication, and problem-solving. Confident staff can address concerns, build rapport, and convert inquiries into long-term relationships.
Leverage AI for Communication
- AI chatbots can handle initial queries, schedule consultations, and follow up with prospects 24/7, all in real-time. This keeps clients engaged, saves time for your team, and ensures no referral slips through the cracks.
Track, Ananlyze, and Improve
- Real-time analytics give you insights into referral patterns, response times, and conversion rates. Use this data to refine your approach, eliminate bottlenecks, and focus on what works.

Final Thoughts

Improving referral conversions isn’t just about getting more leads; it’s about maximizing every opportunity. AI technology with a ready solution workflow can help boost conversion rates by 20%. The right AI solutions can be easy to implement, customized to your needs, and integrates with other business applications.

By acting quickly, communicating clearly, and personalizing your approach, you’ll build trust, grow your business, and help more families find the care they need.

Remember, even small changes can make a big difference. Start today by reviewing your referral process and implementing just one improvement—you’ll be amazed at the results!

# # #

Siva Juturi is Chief Customer Officer and EVP at AutomationEdge. With a passion for technology, he is a thought leader in AI and Automation, dedicated to solving home healthcare challenges. By employing AI and automation, he aims to make healthcare processes more efficient, enrich patient care cycles, and improve overall caregiver, patient & staff experience.

©2024 by The Rowan Report, Peoria, AZ. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in Healthcare at Home: The Rowan Report. One copy may be printed for personal use: further reproduction by permission only. editor@therowanreport.com

ONSCREEN

by Rowan Report | Feb 27, 2025 | Partner News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Farino
New Era Communications
onscreen@newerapr.com
949-346-1984

ONSCREEN Simplifies Senior Care by Bringing Its “Joy” AI Companion to Android Tablets and iPads

A new era of care – ONSCREEN Joy is an AI companion that reduces social isolation, supports aging in place, and enhances quality of life

Las Vegas, Nevada – January 7, 2025 – ONSCREEN, Inc., a senior care technology innovator, today announced that it has expanded its innovative AI-based senior caregiving platform to include Android tablets and iPads. The new ONSCREEN Joy tablet app, is designed to enhance communication, companionship, and care for older adults. Unveiled at CES 2025, this new offering expands ONSCREEN’s mission to address social isolation and make care more accessible for seniors and their families.

Expanding “Joy” AI to Tablets

Building on the success and learnings of its TV-based Moment senior care platform, the ONSCREEN Joy app eliminates the requirement for a new hardware device, and brings ONSCREEN’s most important senior care features of the platform to Android tablets and iPads. This new app enables families to set up a senior care hub using devices they already own, often older generation devices that collect dust once the upgrade cycle comes around. By lowering the barriers to entry and leveraging existing hardware, ONSCREEN Joy enables more seniors and families to benefit from ONSCREEN’s broader caregiving platform.

Key Features of ONSCREEN Joy

The app includes a wide range of capabilities designed to enhance the lives of seniors and their families:

“Joy” the Personal Companion: Offers engaging conversations, trivia, jokes, and creative activities like painting, bringing entertainment and stimulation to seniors.
AI Wellness Check-Ins: Joy performs wellness check-ins in the form of friendly reminders for essential activities like taking medication, eating meals, drinking water, and engaging in physical activity.
Automatic Video Call Answering: Automatically connects seniors with trusted family members in their “Favorites” list, making communication seamless. Callers using both iOS and Android devices can easily connect with their older loved ones, overcoming the limitations of proprietary video calling systems tied to specific mobile operating systems (ie FaceTime).
Family Zoom Sessions: Allows seniors to join family Zoom calls without requiring any effort, ensuring they stay connected to larger family gatherings.
Simple Text, Photo and Video Messaging: Displays text messages, photos, and videos in an easy-to-read format, making it simple for seniors to engage with shared content.
Live Interactive Events: Provides access to live events and activities, enabling seniors to participate in engaging and interactive experiences from the comfort of their home, with no technical assistance required.
YouTube Content Sharing: Plays videos shared by family members directly on the tablet, offering a personalized entertainment experience.
Photo Gallery & Slideshow: Organizes shared photos into a dedicated gallery, creating a visual archive of cherished memories. Optionally, when the tablet is idle, photos of loved ones will be rotating through, effectively providing a convenient picture frame

Updates to the ONSCREEN Family App

In addition to launching the ONSCREEN Joy senior care tablet app, the company has rebranded its existing app for family members and caregivers as ONSCREEN Family. This app continues to provide an intuitive way for families to stay connected with their older loved ones through features like video calls, photo sharing, and real-time updates.

ONSCREEN Family works seamlessly with ONSCREEN Joy, creating a comprehensive solution that meets the needs of both seniors and their support networks. Additionally, ONSCREEN provides a web application for users that prefer to set up Routines on a larger screen, and gives family caregivers the ability to trends and outcomes resulting from Joy’s check-ins with the senior.

“Launching ONSCREEN Joy at CES 2025 is a significant step toward opening up the ONSCREEN ecosystem, and making the powerful capabilities of ONSCREEN available to more families that need them,” said Costin Tuculescu, CEO of ONSCREEN, Inc. “Our goal from day one has been to simplify technology so that seniors feel supported and engaged. By offering a tablet-based solution, we’re removing barriers and empowering families to use their existing devices to provide meaningful care.”

# # #

About ONSCREEN

ONSCREEN is dedicated to addressing the challenges of social isolation among older adults by removing technical barriers around connection, companionship and care. The company’s flagship product, Moment, has transformed senior care by leveraging the familiarity of the TV. Now, with the launch of ONSCREEN Joy, ONSCREEN continues to expand its impact, empowering families and enhancing the lives of seniors. Learn more at www.onscreeninc.com.

©2025 by The Rowan Report, Peoria, AZ. All rights reserved. This press release was submitted by New Era Communications on behalf of ONSCREEN and is printed with permission. For additional information or to request permission to print, please see contact information above.

Reduce Insurance Claim Denials

by Rowan Report | Feb 20, 2025 | Admin, Regulatory

by Lynn Labarta, SimiTree

Reduce Insurance Claim Denials

2025 Guide for Home Health and Hospice Agencies

Is your home health or hospice agency struggling with insurance claim denials? You’re in good company. As we move into 2025, claim denials remain the #1 challenge affecting revenue cycles across the industry. But there’s hope – we’ve compiled the latest strategies and insights to help you overcome this persistent challenge.

The Current State of Home Health & Hospice Billing

The healthcare landscape continues to evolve, and with it, so do the complexities of billing and reimbursement. Home health and hospice agencies face unique challenges, from managing PDGM requirements on the home health side to navigating multiple payer systems on the hospice side. Recent data shows that denied claims significantly impact not just revenue but also patient care delivery and operational efficiency.

Understanding Home Health & Hospice-Specific Denial Triggers

Let’s examine the primary causes of claim denials in our sector:

Home Health Eligibility Challenges

Medicare homebound status verification issues
Face-to-face documentation gaps
PDGM period confusion
Medicare Advantage plan authorization complexities

Hospice-Specific Documentation Issues

Terminal illness certification problems
Level of care documentation gaps
Missing physician narratives
Notice of Election timing issues

Strategic Solutions to Reduce Insurance Claim Denials in 2025

Optimize Your Intake Process

Implement robust homebound status verification- Home health
Establish face-to-face documentation protocols
Create PDGM period tracking systems- Home health
Develop payer-specific authorization workflows

Leverage Technology Effectively

Use specialized home health & hospice billing software
Implement automated eligibility verification systems
Set up PDGM period alerts- Home health
Utilize NOE and NOA tracking tools

Build a Specialized Denial Management Approach

Create dedicated teams for Medicare vs. non-Medicare appeals
Develop PDGM-specific denial protocols- Home Health
Establish hospice-specific documentation review processes
Implement specialty-focused staff training programs

Pro Tips for Implementation

Focus on specialty-specific staff training in home health and hospice billing requirements
Create separate workflows for different payer types (Medicare, Medicare Advantage (home health), private insurance)
Implement weekly PDGM period reviews- Home Health
Establish clear communication channels between clinical and billing staff

Looking Ahead in 2025

The home health and hospice landscape continues to evolve, but with proper strategies in place, your agency can thrive. Focus on building robust processes that address the unique challenges of our industry while maintaining compliance and optimization.

Action Steps to Reduce Insurance Claim Denials for Your Agency

Evaluate your current denial rates by payer type
Assess your PDGM period management effectiveness- Home Health
Review your hospice documentation protocols
Implement targeted improvements based on your findings

Remember, reducing claim denials isn’t just about better processes – it’s about ensuring your agency’s financial health so you can continue providing essential care to your community.

# # #

Lynn Labarta reduce insurance claim denials

Lynn Labarta, VP of Post Acute RCM and the founder of Imark Billing (now SimiTree) has a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry. Lynn provides comprehensive billing services for home health and hospice agencies, streamlining their revenue cycle management process while supporting and managing billing challenges and compliance with evolving healthcare regulations and managing billing challenges; essentially acting as a key partner to ensure accurate and timely claim submissions and optimal revenue collection for agencies.

©2024 by The Rowan Report, Peoria, AZ. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in Healthcare at Home: The Rowan Report. One copy may be printed for personal use: further reproduction by permission only. editor@therowanreport.com

Perfect Storm

by Rowan Report | Feb 20, 2025 | Admin, Clinical, CMS, Regulatory

by Hannah Vale, CMO HealthRev Partners

Care at Home Industry Faces Perfect Storm

Industry Challenges in 2025

The care at home industry is grappling with an unprecedented crisis as staffing shortages, technological hurdles, and complex reimbursement models converge to create significant operational challenges. Industry experts warn that without immediate intervention, patient care could be severely impacted.

Staffing Crisis Reaches Critical Levels

The staffing shortage in home health care has intensified dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Carole Carlson, Registered Nurse (RN), Administrator at Avant Home Care, is a veteran with 36 years of experience in the field. She reports unprecedented difficulty in recruiting registered nurses.

“We’re seeing a mass exodus of healthcare workers who have found remote work alternatives. This exodus has also led to a significant caregiver shortage, causing a decline in non-skilled care services.”

Carole Carlson

Administrator, Avant Home Care

RN Shortage

“The other issue is the RN shortage. This is our first time ever experiencing an RN shortage. We are not even getting applicants, whereas in the past we have always had nurses apply and were able to hire within a relatively short period of time,” Carlson added.

Michael Greenlee, Founder and CEO of HealthRev Partners, notes that the shortage is systemic, with insufficient new workers entering the field to meet growing demand. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where agencies face additional challenges in attracting and retaining staff.

Connectivity Issues on Top of Documentation Burden

The documentation requirements for home health care are proving to be a major source of burnout among nurses. Pointedly, in rural areas, the problem is exacerbated by poor connectivity:

Many patients still rely solely on landlines
Large areas lack cell coverage
Limited or no WiFi access is common

These issues often force nurses to complete documentation after hours, significantly impacting their work-life balance. Greenlee suggests that emerging satellite connectivity solutions could potentially address these issues in the future.

EMR Limitations

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, while essential, present their own set of challenges. Agencies find that basic systems require multiple costly add-ons for full functionality.

Carlson identifies several gaps in current EMR systems:

Lack of built-in HIPAA-compliant dictation capabilities
Limited care plan template libraries requiring extensive manual input
Need for multiple add-ons to achieve full functionality

These limitations are forcing agencies to invest in additional software solutions, further straining already tight budgets.

Medicare Advantage Complicates Operations

The growing prevalence of Medicare Advantage plans is adding another layer of complexity to home health care operations. In one agency’s case, Medicare Advantage patients now represent 30% of their 160-patient census, equal to traditional Medicare patients. Each Medicare Advantage plan comes with different requirements, creating a significant administrative burden for agencies.

“Keeping up with the varying billing requirements across plans is a constant challenge for our small staff,” Carlson notes. “The need to maintain efficient workflows with clearinghouse and software updates for different payers is putting additional strain on already stretched resources”

Final Thoughts

As the care at home industry navigates these multifaceted challenges, experts stress the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to ensure the continued delivery of quality care to an aging population increasingly preferring to receive treatment at home.

# # #

Hannah Vale, M.Ed. is a dynamic leader bringing a wealth of experience and marketing innovation to her role at HealthRev Partners. Hannah is dedicated to helping post acute agencies streamline processes, optimize reimbursement, and embrace tech-driven solutions. She is recognized as an advocate for empowering agencies with the tools and knowledge they need to drive successful growth. A lifelong learner and former educator turned entrepreneur with a proven track record in launching and scaling businesses, passionate about creating impactful strategies that unite purpose and business. Hannah is also the co-host of the Home Health Revealed podcast, where she discusses industry insights and shares stories from experts in all things pertaining to home health, hospice, and palliative care. Hannah holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from Cleveland State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Evangel University.

©2024 by The Rowan Report, Peoria, AZ. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in Healthcare at Home: The Rowan Report. One copy may be printed for personal use: further reproduction by permission only. editor@therowanreport.com

Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare to Cease Operation

by Rowan Report | Jan 23, 2025 | M&A, Partner News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Elyssa Katz
571-281-0220

Thomas Threlkeld
202-547-7424
communications@allianceforcareathome.org

Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare Combines Efforts with Alliance

WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 17, 2025. The Board of Directors of the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) plans to cease operations of the organization effective March 1, 2025. Moving forward, the PQHH Board of Directors will combine efforts with the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance).

Advocacy

By establishing a unified and robust industry voice through the Alliance, the PQHH Board of Directors hopes to advance the public policy and regulatory issues affecting the home health community’s shared vision of a healthcare system that fully recognizes the essential role of home health in delivering compassionate and value-driven care.

Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare The Alliance

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“We have the deepest gratitude for all who have served this organization and championed PQHH’s mission, especially our Chief Executive Officer Joanne Cunningham, who has expertly managed and successfully driven PQHH’s agenda and advocacy for nearly 7 years. Joanne’s commitment to this sector and expertise in planning and executing federal advocacy is unmatched in the home health community and will continue to have a positive, lasting impact on our industry and our patients.”

David Baiada

Chairman, Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare

PQHH History

Since its founding in 2010, PQHH has been dedicated to ensuring access to high-quality home healthcare for all Americans. Throughout its history, PQHH has maintained an unwavering focus on this mission, including in this pivotal moment.

“Through the work of the Partnership and the Alliance, the Medicare home health community has forged strong relationships in Congress and with CMS that have well positioned the sector for future success, and which we look forward to building upon in the future. With a unified industry voice, we can continue to educate the policy community on the importance of care at home to American families.”

Dr. Steven Landers, MD, MPH

Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance for Care at Home

The PQHH Board of Directors’ decision to combine efforts with the Alliance follows careful consideration of the current state of home health policy, the post-election political landscape, and significant industry developments.

“By combining efforts with the Alliance, we look forward to strengthening the unity and resources of our sector,” added Baiada.

“The Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Care at Home unanimously supports the decision by PQHH to align efforts and resources with the Alliance to further unify our industry. The core of our vision underlying the merger with NHPCO has always been to create a community where all care-at-home stakeholders can invest the time, energy and resources necessary to produce the results required to secure our places in the continuum of health care in America. We are beyond pleased that PQHH leaders share in this vision. It is not trite to assert that we will be stronger together.”

Ken Albert

Board Chair, The Alliance

# # #

About the National Alliance for Care at Home

The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is a new national organization representing providers of home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and other health care services mainly delivered in the home. The Alliance brings together two organizations with nearly 90 years of combined experience: NAHC and NHPCO. NAHC and NHPCO are in the process of combining operations to better serve members and lead into the future of care offered in the home. Learn more at www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.

Chief Government Affairs Officer Announced

by Rowan Report | Jan 23, 2025 | Partner News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Elyssa Katz
571-281-0220

Thomas Threlkeld
202-547-7424
communications@allianceforcareathome.org

The National Alliance for Care at Home Welcomes Scott Levy as Chief Government Affairs Officer 

WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN 21, 2025. The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is excited to announce Scott Levy as its inaugural Chief Government Affairs Officer starting on January 27. With over 20 years of distinguished experience in government relations, public policy, advocacy, and law, Scott is poised to lead the Alliance’s efforts to drive impactful legislative and regulatory changes that expand access to quality care at home for America’s growing population of elderly and seriously ill.

“Scott Levy is an extraordinary addition to our leadership team. He brings a deep understanding of healthcare policy, politics, and a great sensitivity to the intersection of public policy and healthcare operations and how policy impacts patients and families. His track record of success, combined with his dedication to improving care at home, makes him an invaluable addition to our team.” 

Dr. Steve Landers

CEO, The Alliance

Background and Experience

Scott’s career is marked by notable achievements and experiences in both the public and private sectors. He most recently served as Chief Government Affairs Officer at Amedisys, one of the nation’s largest at-home healthcare providers, where he led initiatives that secured critical legislative and regulatory reforms, including payment model adjustments and the expansion of value-based care. His public service includes roles with all branches of government at both the state and federal level, where he gained invaluable experience in high-level government operations and policymaking.

Scott Levy Chief Government Affairs Officer

His skill set as a lawyer, where he has advocated for clients in regulatory settings and in the courtroom, combined with his political experience and decade of service to one of the largest providers in our industry make Scott uniquely qualified for this role at this time.

Education

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Scott earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication before completing his Juris Doctor at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. His legal and policy expertise, as well as his strategic leadership, has made him a trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and industry leaders across the healthcare landscape. 

Chief Government Affairs Officer Role

At the Alliance, Scott will lead a talented team of advocacy professionals and work closely with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and grassroots networks to address challenges such as provider reimbursement, regulatory hurdles, improving quality and program integrity, and advancing innovative care models. His leadership will strengthen the Alliance’s ability to represent and empower its members while ensuring better access to home-based care for patients and their loved ones nationwide. 

In His Own Words

“I am honored and humbled to join the inaugural executive leadership of the Alliance.  This opportunity allows me to leverage and maximize my nearly ten years of experience in advocating for home health and hospice on the state and national level. I am eager to get started in strategically positioning the industry and aggressively pursuing public policy that ensures all Americans can access quality care in the home. I look forward to working with and leading a unified care at home community as we make our positions known and voices heard in Washington.” 

Scott Levy

Chief Government Affairs Officer, The National Alliance for Care at Home

We are honored to welcome Scott Levy to the Alliance and look forward to the transformative impact of his leadership! 

# # #

About the National Alliance for Care at Home

The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is a new national organization representing providers of home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and other health care services mainly delivered in the home. The Alliance brings together two organizations with nearly 90 years of combined experience: NAHC and NHPCO. NAHC and NHPCO have combined operations to better serve members and lead into the future of care offered in the home. Learn more at www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.  

Right at Home and PocketRN Partner for Dementia

by Rowan Report | Jan 16, 2025 | Partner News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: William Leiner
COO
will.leiner@pocketrn.com

Right at Home and PocketRN Enter Strategic Partnership to Provide New Medicare Care Model for Seniors with Dementia

Right at Home and PocketRN today announced a strategic partnership to provide support to Medicare dementia beneficiaries.

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, January 15, 2025. Right at Home, a nationwide provider of in-home care, and PocketRN, a leading provider of virtual nursing care, today announced a strategic partnership to provide support to certain Medicare beneficiaries with dementia.

CMS Selects PocketRN

PocketRN was recently selected as a participant in the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As a GUIDE participant, PocketRN’s innovative “virtual nurse for life” approach will allow dementia patients and family caregivers to be specialty matched to nurses, who will become trusted companions that establish a long-term relationship with patients and families. PocketRN nurses also encourage openness to better understand individualized challenges; serve as continuous sources of education, coaching, monitoring, and emotional support; and are available as a 24/7 lifeline. Under the GUIDE Model, PocketRN will be available at no cost to eligible beneficiaries, with $0 copays.

PocketRN Right at Home Right at Home will provide in-home care and safety assessments for eligible beneficiaries to evaluate the safety of the home environment, to assess the ability of the beneficiary to manage and function at home, and to report to PocketRN other environmental, social, and behavioral factors that might impact the function and needs of the beneficiary and their caregiver. PocketRN and Right at Home will use these valuable reports to bring other resources included in the GUIDE benefit package to better support the beneficiary and allow them to stay in their home longer.

The GUIDE Model also provides respite services for certain people, enabling caregivers to take temporary breaks from their caregiving responsibilities. As part of its strategic partnership with PocketRN, Right at Home agencies will be providers of this key respite care service.

The anticipated outcomes of the GUIDE Model include increased caregiver empowerment and a reduction in Medicare and Medicaid expenditures–primarily achieved by preventing or delaying long-term nursing home stays. Additionally, the program aims to bring about a secondary reduction in hospital, emergency department, and post-acute care utilization. These outcomes closely align with the work that PocketRN is already doing and its mission to close the gap between home and healthcare.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our revolutionary nurse-led care model to the millions of dementia patients and families who need it most. With PocketRN, patients and families get unwavering support from a ‘virtual nurse for life’ as they navigate the complexities of managing dementia at NO cost to them. Nurses are hands-down the best clinicians to be the ‘glue’ to dementia patients and families throughout their journey–they’ve been doing so forever, and it’s high-time their work is valued by our system.”

Jenna Morgenstern-Gaines

CEO, PocketRN

“For over 25 years, Right at Home has empowered seniors to continue to live with independence and dignity while managing the effects of aging. This brand-new payment model will enable more seniors to experience the benefit of Right at Home services and support family members caring for seniors with dementia.”

Brady Schwab

Chief Growth Officer, Right at Home

GUIDE Model Participation

PocketRN will utilize its national network of expert nurses to dramatically expand access for dementia patients and families who otherwise may go without care. Its participation in the GUIDE Model will span eight years, with a one-year pre-implementation period for program development, community engagement, and infrastructure scaling before rolling out with a cohort of initial partners. Providers who are interested in partnering with PocketRN so their patients and families can get high-quality, personalized dementia care at no cost can contact nancy.gillette@pocketrn.com.

# # #

About Right at Home

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and five other countries. For more information about Right at Home, visit rightathome.net.

About PocketRN

PocketRN gives patients, families, and caregivers a “virtual nurse for life.” Its mission is to close the gap between home and healthcare by: enabling nurses to care proactively and continuously at the top of their license, enabling caregivers with peace of mind and the confidence to support others, and enabling patients to access whole-person, trusted, empathetic care when and where they want it. PocketRN is the glue that holds together fragmented experiences in care so that partners, clinicians, patients, and families get back more of what they need: quality time. For more information, visit www.pocketrn.com.

This press release was originally submitted to and appeared on EIN Presswire and is reprinted with permission.

PocketRN and Nevvon

by Rowan Report | Jan 16, 2025 | Partner News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: William Leiner
COO
will.leiner@pocketrn.com

James Cohen
CEO and Co-founder
james@nevvon.com

PocketRN & Nevvon Announce National Strategic Partnership to Transform Dementia Care through CMS’ Innovative GUIDE Model

Aims to Improve Care Coordination, Empower Caregivers, and Enhance Patient Outcomes

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, January 13, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — Today, PocketRN, a leader in virtual nursing, and Nevvon, a global innovator in home and health care training technology, announced a National Strategic Partnership to pilot the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. This groundbreaking alternative payment model is designed to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

Under this partnership, PocketRN and Nevvon will integrate their scalable virtual nursing and caregiver training solutions into Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) being tested nationwide. PocketRN is one of approximately 400 participants in the GUIDE Model, and this partnership with Nevvon will address systemic barriers such as limited access to high-quality training, caregiver burnout, and operational inefficiencies.

The CMS GUIDE Model, launched on July 1, 2024, introduces a new payment framework to ensure that individuals living with dementia receive holistic, person-centered care. It tackles caregiver burnout by offering respite care services to allow caregivers necessary breaks to maintain their health and well-being. The program also improves access to care by providing 24/7 availability of trained professionals through telehealth services, overcoming geographic barriers and ensuring equitable support. Additionally, it addresses training deficits with Nevvon’s multilingual, on-demand e-training modules, which empower caregivers with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of dementia care. PocketRN’s “virtual nurse for life” model bridges fragmented services by connecting caregivers, patients, and clinicians, creating a seamless, coordinated care experience.

24/7 Nursing

PocketRN enables caregivers and patients to access 24/7 virtual nursing support and regular nurse check-ins, delivering preventative care and reducing reliance on unnecessary emergency services through real-time assistance. Nevvon enhances caregiver education through a user-friendly app that offers short, practical learning modules tailored to every stage of dementia care. With training available in 11 languages, Nevvon ensures inclusivity and meets state-specific regulatory requirements, allowing agencies to focus on caregiving rather than administrative tasks.

“The GUIDE model is a powerful step forward in bridging the gap between homecare and healthcare. Our partnership with Nevvon strengthens our ability to deliver equitable, innovative, and scalable solutions that meet the needs of caregivers and families across the country. Together, we are ensuring that no one—caregiver or patient—is left behind in this new era of dementia care.”

WIlliam Leiner

COO, PocketRN

“The CMS GUIDE model offers an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine dementia care by focusing on the needs of caregivers and patients alike,” said James Cohen, CEO of Nevvon. “By combining our innovative e-training platform with PocketRN’s virtual nursing solutions, we are equipping caregivers with the tools, confidence, and flexibility they need to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. Together, we’re not only transforming how dementia care is delivered but also ensuring that agencies, caregivers, and families have the support they need to thrive in this new care paradigm.”

This partnership supports the GUIDE Model’s broader goals, as highlighted in the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information on the CMS GUIDE Model, visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide.

# # #

About Nevvon

Nevvon is a global innovative home and health care training technology company that certifies caregivers for the mandatory annual education they earn online. Our simple, intuitive app lets caregivers learn at their own pace, simplifying regulatory compliance while empowering agencies to deliver exceptional care. Learn more at https://www.nevvon.com/guide/.

About PocketRN

PocketRN gives patients, families, and caregivers a “virtual nurse for life,” closing the gap between homecare and healthcare. PocketRN empowers caregivers with peace of mind, patients with trusted care, and clinicians with tools to deliver proactive, whole-person support. Visit www.pocketrn.com to learn more or engage with PocketRN on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

This press release was submitted to and originally appeared on EIN Presswire and is reprinted here with permission.

Direct From the Front Lines

by Rowan Report | Jan 16, 2025 | Breaking News, Editorial

by Andrew Pagsisihan, COO, AllCare Provider

L.A. Brief From a Home Health Provider

Direct from the front lines, a California agency owner talks about the experiences and challenges of providing care at home during the devastating California Wildfires.

Healthcare Amid the Flames: How LA's Home Care Agencies Navigate the 2025 Wildfire Crisis

As unprecedented wildfires ravage Los Angeles County in early 2025, healthcare providers face extraordinary challenges in maintaining continuity of care. The combination of low precipitation, parched vegetation, and extreme winds has created the deadliest fire season in California’s history, forcing healthcare facilities to monitor, evacuate, close, or, in some cases, face complete destruction.

While traditional healthcare facilities grapple with mass relocations, home care agencies confront unique challenges due to their care distribution model. Agencies, operating at the intersection of healthcare delivery and disaster response, must maintain accountability for patient care scatter throughout the county while navigating complex evacuation scenarios and communication challenges.

Direct From the Front Lines: Crisis Response in Action

When the fires began, home care agencies immediately activated their disaster response protocols. The first crucial step involved is mapping affected areas and identifying impacted patients and staff members – including consideration of employees’ families, whose situations directly affect the agency’s ability to maintain operations. Internal roles shifted swiftly as the emergency continued to escalate.

Patient status became categorized into four critical groups: Safe, Warn, Shelter-in-Place, or Evacuated as well as triage for importance. For those choosing to shelter in place within evacuation zones, agencies coordinated with physicians, health plans, and local government authorities to ensure proper oversight. Evacuated patients required careful care plan adjustments and staff reallocation, while some chose to temporarily discontinue services altogether.

Communication Challenges and Solutions

The inability to contact certain patients emerged as a significant concern, prompting ongoing outreach efforts and coordination with primary care physicians and health plans to disclose status of their patients. Regional emergency communication systems like REDDINet and Everbridge (provided by Los Angeles county) proved invaluable in managing healthcare service partnerships across the affected population, enabling rapid risk reduction and aid delivery in need.

Bridging the Gap

A crucial role emerged from the “last mile” healthcare workers, who became essential conduits of information about available aid resources to our communities. Many patients, particularly older adults, struggle with and outreach programs especially with disaster aid. Home care agencies have taken on the additional responsibility of enabling patients and their caregivers to access assistance independently as assistant aid becomes available. Especially with scammers praying on these populations.

Federal Response and Specialized Support

As multiple intense fires stretched county and state resources thin, Los Angeles County secured direct FEMA funding and partnership assistance. In a notable development, home care agencies successfully advocated for specialized accommodation at FEMA Disaster Assistance sites, allowing dedicated time slots for home care patients to meet with federal agents – a critical arrangement that acknowledges the unique needs of this vulnerable population.

The ongoing crisis highlights both the resilience of home healthcare systems and the need for specialized disaster response protocols for distributed care models. As climate change threatens to make such events more common, the lessons learned from the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires will likely shape future disaster preparedness strategies for home healthcare providers nationwide.

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Andrew Pagsisihan Direct from the Front Lines

Andrew never imagined that a personal experience with home healthcare would transform his engineering career into a heartfelt mission. Today, as Chief Operating Officer of AllCare Provider, he channels his passion for helping others into revolutionizing home health and hospice care. His eyes light up when discussing better outcomes for patients and families – it’s clear this isn’t just a job for him, but a calling.

Drawing from 25 years in healthcare management, Andrew combines technical expertise with deeply empathetic leadership. His colleagues often remark on his ability to remember not just patients’ names, but their stories, families, and dreams. At AllCare Provider, he’s fostered a culture where every team member feels valued and every patient is treated like family.

©2025 by The Rowan Report, Peoria, AZ. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in The Rowan Report. One copy may be printed for personal use: further reproduction by permission only. editor@therowanreport.com

Exclusive Inside Scoop: PocketRN and Assisting Hands

by Rowan Report | Jan 16, 2025 | Breaking News, Partner News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: William Leiner
COO
will.leiner@pocketrn.com

PocketRN and Assisting Hands® Home Care Announce a National Strategic Partnership to Test Medicare Dementia Care Model

Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a CMMI Program, Aims to Increase Care Coordination, Support for Caregivers

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, January 16, 2025. Today, PocketRN, a leader in virtual nursing, and Assisting Hands, a leading home care company, announced they will form a National Strategic Partnership to test the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) alternative payment model designed to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Under CMS’ Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, PocketRN will be one of almost 400 participants building Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) across the country, working to increase care coordination and improve access to services and supports, including respite care, for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Partnership Foundation

Assisting Hands’ partnership with PocketRN is rooted in the fact that a significant portion of their client base has a dementia diagnosis. Their franchised locations nationwide provide daily care and respite care for caregivers in the homes of people living with dementia, making this alliance a strategic and logical decision.

PocketRN Assisting Hands Launched on July 1, 2024, the GUIDE Model will test a new payment approach for key supportive services furnished to people living with dementia, including: comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans; care coordination; 24/7 access to an interdisciplinary care team member or help line; and certain respite services to support caregivers. People with dementia and their caregivers will have the assistance and support of a Care Navigator to help them access clinical and non-clinical services such as meals and transportation through community-based organizations.

PocketRN CEO

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our revolutionary nurse-led care model to the millions of dementia patients and families who need it most,” said PocketRN CEO, Jenna Morgenstern-Gaines. “With PocketRN, patients and families get unwavering support from a ‘virtual nurse for life’ as they navigate the complexities of managing dementia at NO cost to them. Nurses are hands-down the best clinicians to be the ‘glue’ for patients and their families throughout their dementia journey–they’ve been doing so forever, and it’s high-time their work is valued by our system.”

“Assisting Hands is proud to announce our partnership with PocketRN. This collaboration reinforces our dedication to providing exceptional home care and respite services for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Together, we aim to enhance caregiver support and improve quality of life by offering comprehensive home care solutions and respite care, allowing caregivers to manage their responsibilities more effectively while ensuring their loved ones receive the best care possible.”

Deanna Keppel

Vice President of Operations, Assisting Hands

PocketRN Participation

PocketRN’s participation in the GUIDE Model will help people living with dementia and their caregivers have access to education and support, such as training programs on best practices for caring for a loved one living with dementia. The GUIDE Model also provides respite services for certain people, enabling caregivers to take temporary breaks from their caregiving responsibilities. Respite is being tested under the GUIDE Model to assess its effect on helping caregivers continue to care for their loved ones at home, preventing or delaying the need for facility care.

This model delivers on a promise in the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and aligns with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information on CMS’ GUIDE Model, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide.

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About Assisting Hands® Home Care

Assisting Hands is a leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those recovering from illness or injury. With over a decade of experience, Assisting Hands provides high-quality care in the comfort of the home, offering a range of services including personal care, companion care, and respite care. The company’s franchise system has grown rapidly, with locations across the United States.

About PocketRN

PocketRN gives patients, families, and caregivers a “virtual nurse for life.” Its mission is to close the gap between home and healthcare by: enabling nurses to care proactively and continuously at the top of their license, enabling caregivers with peace of mind and the confidence to support others, and enabling patients to access whole-person, trusted, empathetic care when and where they want it. PocketRN is the glue that holds together fragmented experiences in care so that partners, clinicians, patients, and families get back more of what they need: quality time. For more information, visit www.pocketrn.com

This press release will appear on EIN Presswire and was submitted to The Rowan Report as an exlusive advanced release, printed with permission.