Seasoned hospice leaders are experiencing increased scrutiny and even punitive actions by CMS in the payment realm. That squeezing seems to be entering the survey realm as well with survey changes that began this year. Are hospice surveys really all that different than they were before the changes in January 2023? Now that Hospice Survey changes are a few months old, it's time to hear how these revisions have and are affecting hospice agencies in the real world. We'll discuss some feedback received from agencies across the nation and will invite attendees to share their own experiences with Minnesota surveyors. In addition, we'll discuss what the changes are and how each agency can implement QAPI projects to prepare for the best survey possible, given the new emphases the survey process has taken on. 

OBJECTIVES 

• Describe how seasoned hospice leader's experience, understanding, and preparation for the new hospice survey process can enhance survey outcomes. 
• Learn how QAPI leaders can build upon their knowledge to incorporate CMS' emphasis changes into QAPI plans that keep their agencies survey-ready. 
• Understand why, in today's highly regulated and interconnected hospice environment, continuing some processes that surveyors have never questioned before may not be the best strategy for success.

Faculty

Beth Noyce, RN, BSJMC, HCS-C, BCHH-C, COQS, Founder, Noyce Consulting

Beth Noyce is a CHAP-certified Home Health and Hospice Consultant, mentor, educator and regulatory master who helps agencies know when they are at risk and helping keep them out of trouble. Beth is former Executive Director of Utah Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Utah Association for Home Care and Medicare Administrative Contractor medical reviewer. She serves on the Hospice Advocacy Board and NAHC’s Hospice Quality Subcommittee and has served on NACH’s Hospice Advisory Board. Beth has presented for CGS, NAHC, HHAU, UHPCO, AHPCO, UAHC, Decision Health’s Coding Summit, AHCC's Home Health Compliance and Quality Outcomes Conference, HealthCare Synergy, WellSky, Medbridge, HealthWare, Audio Educator, LKN and teaches her own expert seminars, workshops and webinars. She’s consulted for GLG, Kenyon Home Care Consulting, The Lighten Group, The Corridor Group, Pinnacle Enterprise Risk Consulting Services, and many individual agencies nationwide. She regularly audits and performs appeals for SimiTree. Beth has edited and written study guides and questions for industry coding and compliance certification exams, has published in Diagnosis Coding Pro, and edited a Diagnosis Coding Manual.