Running a Successful Agency Today and In the Future

The current administration's proposed reimbursement cuts are concerning t0 home health leaders. As noted in the March 9, 2009 issue of Modern Healthcare, combining declining reimbursements and increasing demand for services creates the perfect storm. In fact, the National Association of Home Care and Hospice is predicting that nearly 40 percent of agencies will operate in the red in 2010 and more than 62 percent will 2011.

While the estimates are disconcerting, some agencies are already on the brink. Administrators struggle to maintain an accurate, comprehensive view of day-to-day operations. Difficulty in maintaining interdisciplinary up-to-date information, inaccurate OASIS and 485s, delayed billing, missed visits, too many visits on hold - the list of issues is seemingly endless. Planning to "ride out the storm" or just "wait and see" isn't likely to position your agency to survive. But home health and hospice leaders are not without tools or hope.

To meet both the challenges and opportunities, we must focus on building strategic technology platforms. Despite its current and expected growth, home care and hospice remains one of the least automated areas of healthcare. Industry trends demand that we create platforms prepared for electronic medical records and patient-centric care. Platforms that can manage the increased demand.

Every home health and hospice leader is encouraged to learn about the technologies available today, as well as those being developed. Talk to different industry experts and vendors. Learn how you can increase organizational productivity. Learn how you can connect to the entire spectrum of healthcare providers and provide patient-centric care. Learn how you can ensure compliance with regulations and best practices. Learn how you can have better information to make proactive decisions.

Your agency does not have to drown in overwhelming demand, fail due to declining reimbursement or descend into chaos because your technology did not provide enough control. By implementing an appropriate strategic technology platform you will not only survive the changes - but thrive with the opportunities.