Beth Carpenter and Associates: Pathfinder Newsletter

THE PATHFINDER NEWSLETTER
Hello! Welcome to the September 2007 issue of THE PATHFINDER. Autumn has always been my most favorite time of the year. I am sure it is partly due to the beauty of the changing leaf color and the start of the cool weather, but also because the Fall has always signified a time of new starts, new opportunities to learn, new crayons, new shoes and the chance to make new friends. Whether you are a new friend or someone we have known for ages, I hope that you will find that this month's articles present you with opportunities to learn something new. If we can provide you with more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Best wishes, Beth Carpenter

FINAL RULE MAKES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO PPS PAYMENTS IN 2008 Written by mapolskis On August 29, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the Final Rule (with comment period) in the Federal Register, updating and making major refinements to the Medicare home health prospective payment system (HH-PPS) for calendar year (CY) 2008. Under the HH-PPS, Medicare pays home health agencies (HHA) based on a national standardized 60-day episode rate, which is adjusted for case-mix and wage index. To adjust for case-mix, the HH-PPS currently uses 80 category case-mix classifications to assign payments to a home health resource group (HHRG). IN the Final Rule, CMS makes a number of refinements to the HH-PPS methodology, including the following... Read More....

NEW RESEARCH FINDS PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA BENEFIT FROM HOSPICE By National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization While dementia is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, it accounts for only 11 percent of hospice admissions and little is known about the quality of the care they receive, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. To read more of this article...

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS: MEDITATE By Oliver Ryan, Reporter for Fortune Magazine The crowd of Harvard Business School alums who gathered at their reunion to hear networking expert Keith Ferrazzi speak earlier this summer might have expected to pick up strategies on how to work a room, remember people's names, or identify mentors. But tactical skills, it turns out, aren't what turned Ferazzi into a best selling author or sought-after speaker. Read more to learn what Ferrazzi feels is the way to be successful in business...

Beth Carpenter Beth Carpenter and Associates 847-382-1035 bcarpenter@bethcarpenterandassociates.com Beth Carpenter and Associates has earned a reputation as a company with deep industry experience and one that works closely with its clients to identify solutions that meet their business goals and strategic objectives. We do not simply advise. We partner with our customers to implement the solution and ensure its success. Sincerely, Beth Carpenter

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH? Since 1995 Beth Carpenter and Associates has provided its real-world experience to the management of healthcare companies, especially those organizations with a focus on home health, hospice and private duty, in the areas of operations, clinical services, sales and marketing. We work with management to identify the strategic direction of the organization and implement the necessary changes that allow health care providers to move forward in today's environment. We help you choose the right path to success and then we walk it with you.

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