Home Care & Hospice Law Symposium - Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Concurrent Educational Session #4 (400 Series)
8:30 - 10:00 am

401. Navigating the Brave New World of Medicare Notices and Appeals; Part I: APPEALS
The Medicare appeals process has undergone considerable change as the result of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, and additional legislative changes in 2003. By the close of 2005, Medicare providers and beneficiaries will see an appeals process that is changed from top to bottom, with (1) new Administrative Law Judges (ALJs); (2) a new step in the appeals process known as redetermination; (3) new time frames for decision making; (4) restrictions on introducing new evidence during an appeal; and (5) annually adjusted "Amount in Controversy" requirements to qualify for a hearing. Key to the metamorphosis is the consolidation of appeals handling for Medicare Parts A and B into a uniform process of decision makers and decision making. This workshop will provide essential information on the new appeals process that affects both traditional Medicare fee-for-service and managed care.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize the new appeal structure under Medicare.
2. Identify the new rights and restrictions on administrative appeals for Medicare beneficiaries and providers of services.
3. Discuss advocacy strategies to maximize the opportunities for success in the administrative appeals.

INVITED FACULTY: Mary St. Pierre, VP for Regulatory Affairs, and William A. Dombi, VP for Law, both of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, DC

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

402. Legal Considerations in Managed Care Contracting
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Modernization and Improvement Act of 2003 and Medicaid reforms may trigger a new groundswell of consumer enrollment in managed care organizations. Are you ready? What does a good managed care contract look like? This workshop provides the needed insights for negotiating and evaluating a managed care contract. Even if your home care agency cannot control the contract process, you need to know what you are in for in a managed care relationship.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize basic elements of a managed care contract.
2. Identify contract risks and responsibilities for service and payment in a managed care contract.
3. Discuss legal issues involving collective managed care contracting.

INVITED FACULTY: Bruce Merlin Fried, Esq., Partner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, LLP, Washington, DC

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

Concurrent Educational Session #5 (500 Series)
10:15-11:45am

501. Navigating the Brave New World of Medicare Notices and Appeals; Part II: NOTICES
Accompanying the new appeals process is a host of new patient notices that complicate the delivery of home health services, including notices of coverage and service denials, reductions, and terminations. This workshop is dedicated to providing clear guidance on the WHAT, the WHEN, and the HOW of issuing notices to patients, and on patient rights regarding coverage and service determinations.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize the various notice responsibilities regarding Medicare coverage and service determinations.
2. Identify when and how to issue notices to patients subject to a denial, reduction, or termination of home health or hospice services.
3. Discuss the interrelationship between the various notices and other patient communications.

INVITED FACULTY: Mary St. Pierre, VP for Regulatory Affairs, and William A. Dombi, VP for Law, both of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, DC

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

502. Legal Issues in Competition
All is NOT fair in health care competition - there are legal restraints that should affect business conduct in the never-ending quest for success or survival. These legal considerations include federal and state anti-trust law, state unfair trade practices law, and the use of non-compete clauses in business and employment contracts. In addition, concerns can arise that implicate slander/libel issues and tortious interference with business arrangements.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify federal and state laws applicable to business competition.
2. Describe the benefits and burdens of utilizing employee non-competition agreements.
3. Define the role of federal and state governments in enforcing anti-trust laws on behalf of private competition.

INVITED FACULTY: Robert E. Bloch, Esq., Partner, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, LLP, Washington, DC

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

Concurrent Educational Session #6 (600 Series)
1:45 - 3:15 pm

601. Legal Issues in Agency Configurations: Business Structures
Stumped about whether to incorporate or create a partnership? Should you merge or establish subsidiaries? What about the optimal tax status for your agency? Now that many home care agencies are experiencing a greater sense of financial stability, it's natural to wonder if your organization's existing business structure promotes maximum functioning and success. This workshop will provide clear guidance on legal considerations when contemplating structural changes to your agency.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify potential structural changes for your agency.
2. Discuss the legal implications of such structural changes upon your agency.
3. Relate steps that must be taken to implement changes to your agency's business structure.

INVITED FACULTY: Christopher L. White, Esq, Partner, Mogan Lewis & Bochius, LLP, Washington, DC

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

602. How to Secure Patient Referrals - Within the Law
Patient referrals are the lifeblood of the home care and hospice business. Today, competition for referrals is as tough as it has ever been. To come out a winner in this competition requires that you play by all the rules. With this program, you can learn what you can and cannot do in financial relationships with physicians, hospitals, medical equipment dealers, nursing facilities, other caregivers, and clients.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify federal laws affecting financial relationships between physicians and home care and hospice providers.
2. Recognize high risk areas in gifts (free services) to patients.
3. Discuss successful and compliant financial relationships under the Stark II rules.

INVITED FACULTY: Denise Bonn, Esq., Deputy Director, Center for Health Care Law, National Association for Home Care and Hospice, Washington, DC

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate; 1.8 Nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 Accounting CPE (NASBA/SKA)

2006 NAHC National Policy Conference Continuing Education Credits  & Conference Policy Information

Continuing Education for Nurses & Accountants
Continuing education credits for all nurses is pending by the Maryland Nurses Association accredited as an approver of continuing education for nurses by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Many states have reciprocity agreements and will accept the contact hours approved by the Maryland Nurses Association. In addition, some accrediting organizations representing other disciplines have reciprocity agreements. If you have questions, please contact the Maryland Nurses Association at (410) 944-5800.
NAHC has been issued a continuing education provider number (CEP 10810) by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Most states have reciprocity agreements and will accept the contact hours for educational programs. In addition, some accrediting organizations representing other disciplines may also have reciprocity agreements. For more information regarding administrative policies, complaints or refunds, you may contact our meetings department at 202) 547-7424 or by email at meetings@nahc.org.

NAHC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), sponsor ID 104616, as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Field of Study codes (FOS) appear following the CPE information for all accounting-accredited
programs.

The Fields of Study Codes are:

AA Accounting and Auditing
M Management
SKA Specialized Knowledge
CS Consulting Services
PD Personal Development
T Taxation and Applications

Note: To be eligible for CEs, you must attend the entire program in order to have that program on your documentation. If you exit the session prior to its conclusion, you will not be eligible for CE credits.

CE "Easy Swipe" and Certificate Procedures
Your registration materials will include a magnetic card (similar to a credit card) that you will simply swipe as you enter your desired sessions to obtain CE credits.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
Registration cancellations or requests for refund received in writing by Jan. 31, 2006, will be entitled to a refund up to the total amount paid less a $25 administrative charge. Cancellations received between Jan. 31 and March 1, 2006 will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds will be made after March 1, 2006. Refunds will not be made for no-shows.

Registration Transfers
If you cannot attend, your paid registration may be transferred by letter, which must be signed by the party who made the original payment. Authorizing letter should be submitted by March 1, 2006 or presented on-site at registration.

Disclaimer
The planners and sponsors of this conference claim neither liability for the acts of any suppliers to this meeting not for the safety of any attendee while in transit to or from this event. The sponsors reserve the right to cancel this function or portions of it without penalty. The total amount of any liability of the planners and sponsors will be limited to a refund of the registration fee. Your registration acknowledges acceptance of these provisions of registration for listed attendees and your company.