Join industry experts Melissa Gordon and Rob Simione from SimiTree as they provide a comprehensive overview of the Medicare 2025 Home Health Final Rule. Topics will include reimbursement updates along with the permanent behavioral adjustments to PDGM base rates and impact on agency financial outlook; wage index revisions and impact on CT regions; case-mix recalibrations and updates to the VBP program; and a new Condition of Participation addressing delays in care.  Practical strategies and actionable tips for success will be shared with a focus on improving operations, diversifying your payer mix and ensuring budgeting practices are aligned with the new guidelines. 

Presenters:

Melissa Gordon, Director, SimiTree

Melissa is a results-driven leader with extensive expertise in the home health, hospice, and private duty industry. Her professional journey spans diverse roles within healthcare, including C-Suite positions and Executive Director of Clinical Optimization for Home Health and Hospice, before joining SimiTree. Melissa has led a multi-state, multi-agency clinical, quality, and education team, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and operational acumen. She holds a Green Belt in LEAN Six Sigma, reflecting her commitment to implementing efficient, impactful processes.
Melissa’s academic credentials include an MBA from the University of New Haven, a BS in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University, a BSN from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and a nursing diploma from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, affiliated with Yale New Haven Health. She is also a proud recipient of the Connecticut Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing.

Rob Simione, Senior Vice President of Consulting, SimiTree

Rob has 15 years of progressive accomplishments and leadership in finance, operations, and data analytics in the Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral industries. A SimiTree team member since 2009, the Katonah, New York, resident previously served as the firm’s director of financial consulting, leading finance and operations teams and becoming a sought-after interim executive for provider organizations. He is an experienced leader in financial and operational performance improvement, specifically in the areas of organizational assessment, budget and financial management, and data analytics. While managing data resources to support client success at SimiTree, he previously led collaborative activities with a variety of information technology companies for industry benchmarking. Rob has presented leadership, financial and operational topics both at the National and State level. Rob has held positions with the National Association of Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) as chair of the Young Professional and Regulatory work groups. Rob is also on the Advisory Board for the Home Health and Hospice Financial Management Association within NAHC. A Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York, Rob has worked closely with a wide variety of organizations to develop financial, operational, marketing and information technology benchmarks that are critical to daily business operations and long-term financial planning. Prior to his years with SimiTree, he worked at Price Waterhouse Coopers, where he received the Chairman’s Award for excellence in teamwork. There, he served as a senior tax associate, gaining experience in financial accounting and reporting standards for corporate and partnership taxes, auditing, equity compensation, and tax attribute allowances.