Hospice Pre-Conference Sessions
Monday, August 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30pm
9 a.m. -12 p.m. Hospice Billers Workshop
Presenters: Lindsey Buzzard, LNHA, MBA, LeadingAge Ohio, and Shonda Wood-Paul, BS, Hospice of the Western Reserve
Billing for hospice services continues to become more complex, with frequent changes, payer-specific requirements and additional regulatory expectations. This workshop is designed to support newer and experienced hospice billers by reviewing the necessary components of hospice billing, including Medicare, Ohio Medicaid, managed care and common claim challenges.
The session will also address current hospice billing issues, payer-specific concerns and methods for avoiding denials, resolving payment delays and improving billing accuracy.
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1 – 2:15 p.m.
Trust at the Bedside: Strengthening Program Integrity in Ohio Hospice Care
Presenters: Susan Wallace, LeadingAge Ohio, and Ohio Rep. Andrea White, R-Kettering
The number of hospices in Ohio has grown dramatically in recent years, and high-profile fraud investigations have drawn attention to vulnerabilities in the Medicare Hospice Benefit that make it susceptible to abuse.
Federal authorities have used audits and, in 2026, a nationwide moratorium on new Medicare certifications. States also have tools available, including licensure requirements, Medicaid provider agreements and other mechanisms.
During this session, attendees will learn about Ohio-specific trends that may indicate fraud, waste and abuse and hear directly from a lawmaker working to address abuse in the hospice program. Participants will also learn how they can become involved in advocacy to improve the quality of end-of-life care in Ohio and support accountability and program integrity in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Surviving the Era of CMS’s Enhanced Enforcement
Presenter: Bryan Nowicki, partner, Husch Blackwell
Hospice and home health providers face significant enforcement challenges. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ enforcement efforts include new tools such as the Provisional Period of Enhanced Oversight and Expanded Prepayment Review. These efforts target fraudulent actors, but reputable, quality hospices can also become subject to government review.
CMS has also deployed nationwide moratoria and intends to use a service and spending variation index to detect potential compliance issues.
Husch Blackwell’s Hospice, Home Health and Palliative Care Team will provide the latest information on CMS efforts, including the processes used by CMS and its contractors, the areas being targeted and how providers can prepare for and respond to enforcement activity.
Reception with Husch Blackwell to follow.
CE STATEMENT:
Up to 6.25 clock hours. BELTSS; Up to 1.25 clock hours, Social Work, and Up to 7.5 CPE credits will be awarded upon successful completion.
Criteria for successful completion and receipt of clock hours:
Attendance at entire session(s) and completion and submission of the certificate of attendance/CE record form at the end the day to the event registration table.
Participants will receive clock hours/CPE credits only for the session(s) attended as indicated with the code on the certificate of attendance/CE record form
Presenters agree to present fairly and without bias.
Commercial support received for this event did not influence the content of educational activities.
LeadingAge Ohio is an approved provider by the Board of Executives of Long Term Services and Supports. Core of knowledge subject areas: Care, Services and Support; Operations; Environment and Quality; Leadership and Strategy.
LeadingAge Ohio is a Social Work approved provider (#RSX020502) of continuing education by the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, & Marriage & Family Therapist Board.
As stated in the Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4723-14-05, education that has been approved by a board or an agency that regulates a health care profession in Ohio or another jurisdiction is an acceptable option to meet nursing continuing education requirements.
LeadingAge Ohio is an approved CPE Sponsor from the Accountancy Board of Ohio, CPE.379, expiration date: 5.31.2027
Hospice Pre-Conference
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Member Rate: $75
- Nonmember Rate: $150
Hospice Pre-Conference
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Member Rate: $100
- Nonmember Rate: $200
Full Day
- Member Rate: $150
- Nonmember Rate: $300