HOPE After Eight Months: Workflow, Timing, and Submission Lessons

HOPE After Eight Months: Workflow, Timing, and Submission Lessons

On this episode of AHCC Talk, Jan Milliman, HCS-D, Director of AHCC, is joined by AHCC Advisory Board member Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-O, COS-C, Vice President of Clinical Services with McBee, for a look back at the first eight months of using the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation — HOPE — tool. Jan and Lisa discuss how the transition from HIS to HOPE has affected hospice workflows, documentation, visit timing, symptom follow-up visits, data integrity, and compliance risk. They also review common submission issues, rejection patterns, warning vs. error distinctions, and practical ways teams can improve acceptance rates and HOPE accuracy.✅ Jan Milliman, HCS-D, Director, AHCC✅ Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-O, COS-C, Vice President of Clinical Services, McBee Links Mentioned in the Episode Medicare Program; FY2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/06/2026-06604/medicare-program-fy-2027-hospice-wage-index-and-payment-rate-update-and-hospice-quality-reporting [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/06/2026-06604/medicare-program-fy-2027-hospice-wage-index-and-payment-rate-update-and-hospice-quality-reporting] Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Guidance Manual v1.01: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/hope-guidance-manual-v1-01.pdf [https://www.cms.gov/files/document/hope-guidance-manual-v1-01.pdf] Hospice Quality Reporting Program: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/hospice [https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/hospice] Learn more about AHCC credentials: https://store.decisionhealth.com/ahcc-credentials [https://store.decisionhealth.com/ahcc-credentials] ⬇️ Downloadable slides from this discussion: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/ahcc-talk-episode-92-eight-months-of-the-hospice-hope-tool/ [https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/ahcc-talk-episode-92-eight-months-of-the-hospice-hope-tool/] 📧Have a question, episode request, or suggestionsfor a future panel guest? Email Jan at jan.milliman@decisionhealth.com

Survey Readiness: Top Home Health Deficiencies to Watch in 2026

In this episode of AHCC Talk, host Jan Milliman, HCS-D, is joined by J’non Griffin, RN, MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-C, COS-C, Director at SimiTree Healthcare Consulting, for a timely discussion on survey readiness for home health agencies. Jan and J’non break down the most common deficiencies identified by CMS, CHAP, ACHC, and TJC, including recurring issues around individualized plans of care, patient communication, documentation reliability, medication regimen review, infection control, and aide supervision. Listeners will learn why the same standards continue to appear year after year, how agencies can identify workflow gaps before surveyors arrive, and what a practical 90-day survey readiness plan can look like. ✅ Jan Milliman, HCS-D, Director, AHCC ✅ J'non Griffin, RN, MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-C,COS-C, Director, SimiTree Healthcare Consulting Links Mentioned in the Episode * Reserve your spot at the Home Care Leadership Summit: decisionhealth.com/hcls2026 * ⬇️ Downloadable slides from this discussion: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1785/ahcc-talk-episode-91-handouts.pdf [https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1785/ahcc-talk-episode-91-handouts.pdf] * 📧Have a question, episode request, or suggestionsfor a future panel guest? Email Jan at jan.milliman@decisionhealth.com

Complicated Coding Scenarios (and How to Solve Them)

In this episode of AHCC Talk, host Jan Milliman is joined by coding experts Celeste Miller and Apryl Swafford to walk through real-world coding challenges that home health professionals face every day. From respiratory conditions and sepsis to trauma and complex post-surgical infections, this episode breaks down how to approach difficult scenarios with confidence—while staying aligned with official coding guidance. What you’ll learn: * How to code COPD with exacerbation and concurrent conditions * Key considerations for sepsis with resolved acute conditions * Documentation pitfalls in fracture coding * How to approach post-procedural infections and osteomyelitis * Clarifications on Face-to-Face requirements * What to do when a recertification OASIS is completed outside the allowed window Each scenario is designed to sharpen your coding accuracy and help you apply guidelines to complex patient cases. ✅ Jan Milliman, HCS-D, Director, AHCC ✅ Celeste Miller, RN, BS, HCS-D, HCS-O, Executive Director of Quality Assurance, Aegis Healthcare ✅ Apryl Swafford, RN, BSN, COS-C, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-O, QA Manager, SimiTree Healthcare Consulting Linked Mentioned in the Episode * Downloadable slides from this discussion: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1783/ahcc-talk-episode-90-handouts.pdf [https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1783/ahcc-talk-episode-90-handouts.pdf] * Learn more about AHCC: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=dhbmscahcc&utm_content=ahcc_talk_spotify [https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=dhbmscahcc&utm_content=ahcc_talk_spotify] * Home Care Leadership Summit (May 19–21, Orlando): https://store.decisionhealth.com/home-care-leadership-summit?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hcls_2026&utm_content=ahcc_talk_spotify [https://decisionhealth.com/hcls2026]

Face-to-Face (F2F) in Home Health: Rules, Risks & Compliance Tips

In this episode of AHCC Talk, we break down the face-to-face (F2F) requirement for home health—a critical condition of payment tied to compliance and reimbursement. Learn what qualifies as a valid encounter, who can perform it, and how to avoid the most common documentation mistakes that lead to denials. We also cover timing rules, telehealth updates through 2027, and practical strategies to ensure your agency stays compliant and audit-ready. Perfect for coders, clinicians, and compliance professionals navigating home health regulations.This episode's panel includes: ✅ Jan Milliman, HCS-D, Director, AHCC ✅ Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, HCS-H,HCS-O, COS-C, Vice President of Clinical Services, McBee ✅ Lisa McClammy, BSN, RN, COS-C, HCS-D,HCS-O, Senior Clinical Education Consultant, MAC Legacy Links Mentioned in the Episode 🔗 § 424.22 Requirements for home health services. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-424/subpart-B/section-424.22 [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-424/subpart-B/section-424.22] 🔗 A Rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on 12/02/2025: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/02/2025-21767/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-calendar-year-2026-home-health-prospective-payment-system-hh-pps-rate [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/02/2025-21767/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-calendar-year-2026-home-health-prospective-payment-system-hh-pps-rate] 🔗 Palmetto GBO: Home Health Face to Face Checklist: https://dominoapps.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/files/Home_Health_Face_to_Face_Checklist.pdf/$FILE/Home_Health_Face_to_Face_Checklist.pdf [https://dominoapps.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/files/Home_Health_Face_to_Face_Checklist.pdf/$FILE/Home_Health_Face_to_Face_Checklist.pdf] 🔗 Join us May 19-21 at the Home Care Leadership Summit in Orlando, FL: decisionhealth.com/hcls2026 🔗 Join us for the next live airing of AHCC Talk: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2224811617290518541?source=yt [https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2224811617290518541?source=yt] 🔗 Learn more about AHCC and how to become a member:store.decisionhealth.com/join-ahcc🔗 NEW BOOK: Home Health Guide to Crafting a Compliant Plan of Care, 1st Edition: ⁠https://store.decisionhealth.com/2026-plan-of-care-guide⁠ [https://store.decisionhealth.com/2026-plan-of-care-guide] ⬇️ Downloadable slides from this discussion: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1774/ahcc-talk-episode-89-handouts.pdf [https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1774/ahcc-talk-episode-89-handouts.pdf] 📧Have a question, episode request, or suggestions for a future panel guest? Email Jan at jan.milliman@decisionhealth.com

Crafting a Compliant Plan of Care: Tips, Risks, and Examples

In this episode of AHCC Talk, our expert panel discusses how to create and implement a compliant and individualized plan of care (POC).Learn how to: * Meet Conditions of Participation requirements * Develop meaningful goals and interventions * Avoid common plan of care audit risks * Individualize care plans for better outcomes * Apply real-world POC examples The discussion includes practical scenarios and guidance to help clinicians and agencies strengthen documentation and compliance. ✅ Jan Milliman, HCS-D, Director, AHCC ✅ Sherri Parson, RN,. HCS-D, HCS-O, COS-C, CEO,Infusion Health ✅J'non Griffin, RN, MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H,COS-C, Direction, SimiTree Healthcare Consulting Links Mentioned in the Episode  🔗 NEW BOOK: Home Health Guide to Crafting a Compliant Plan of Care, 1stEdition: https://store.decisionhealth.com/2026-plan-of-care-guide [https://store.decisionhealth.com/2026-plan-of-care-guide] 🔗Home Health J1800/J1900 Errata: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/oasis-e1-guidance-manual-errata-fmi-items.pdf [https://www.cms.gov/files/document/oasis-e1-guidance-manual-errata-fmi-items.pdf] 🔗October 2025 CMS Quarterly OASIS Q&As: https://qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/CMS_OAI_Qtr_4_2025_QAs_October_2025_508c.pdf [https://qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/CMS_OAI_Qtr_4_2025_QAs_October_2025_508c.pdf] 🔗Join us May 19-21 at the Home Care Leadership Summit in Orlando, FL: decisionhealth.com/hcls2026 🔗Join us for the next live airing of AHCC Talk on March 16 at 1pm EST: https://register.gotowebinar.com/#register/2224811617290518541?source=podcast [https://register.gotowebinar.com/#register/2224811617290518541?source=podcast] 🔗 Learn more about AHCC and how to become a member:store.decisionhealth.com/join-ahcc   ⬇️ Downloadable slides from this discussion: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1773/ahcc-talk-episode-88-handouts.pdf [https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/media/1773/ahcc-talk-episode-88-handouts.pdf]   📧Have a question, episode request, or suggestionsfor a future panel guest? Email Jan at jan.milliman@decisionhealth.com