Homecare Across Illinois

Board Minutes

August 17, 2007

Members present: Ruth Ann Flowers, Mary Reed, Peg Murphy, Gail Ripka, Maxine Barth, Jeff Workman, Therese Macias, and John Pickering.

Peg Murphy, President called the meeting to order at 9:50 A.M., at the Maverick Restaurant in Springfield, Illinois.

Maxine Barth moved to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2007 meeting as written. Therese Macias seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Gail Ripka, Treasurer, reported the current balance is $3,585.21. A check for $1,500 dollars was received from IDPH and another $500 has been committed from Dave Culp after the budget is approved. Mary Reed moved to approve the report. Maxine Barth seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Legislative – The Private Duty rules are now published in the Federal Register. IDOA may be adjusting their CCP rules in the future to mirror the private duty rules.

Website – No changes were reported on the website.

McBee Associates, Inc:

Mario Feher and Michael Dordick of McBee Associates, Inc. gave a presentation on what their company can offer home health agencies. The Medicare Revenue Recovery Program is most popular. This program reviews the last two years of home health claim submissions and consults with the agency if there is any claim identified that was underbilled. If the agency agrees, McBee resubmits the claim and keeps 30% of the recovery.

Janet Lane:

Janet reported 63.4% of home health agencies have registered for the campaign nationwide. Illinois is at 63.3%. Despite the program the number of rehospitalizations in Illinois has not changed. The mailings will continue. CMS will have new goals in July 2008

Winter Workshop:

All speakers are confirmed. Gail Ripka shared a draft brochure which was quite appealing. She will need to have the bio information forwarded to her to include in the brochure. John Pickering has been in communication with Gina Swehle for additional funding for the workshop. It was decided to mail the brochures in mid September. Mary Reed will mail hard copies of award nomination forms to all members and Jeff Workman will email the forms to members.

Peg Murphy announced that James Nelson stated if agencies are members of IPHA they can also be members of the Senior Section. A discussion also took place on the concerns with having different payers while administering and billing flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

It was decided to put Ida Blevins on the agenda for the next Board meeting to discuss coding and other changes in 2008.

John Pickering has communicated with BC/BS on our contract rates. He said they will guarantee $105/visit. He is compiling cost reports to show them this rate is too low and feels $120 to $125 can easily be justified.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2007 at 10:00A.M. at the Maverick Restaurant.

A motion was made by Maxine Barth to adjourn at 11:15 A.M. Ruth Ann Flowers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

______________________

Mary Reed, Secretary