January 26, 2010: GAMES Winter Meeting - Survivor Series Conference 

Organize Your Operation

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall at someone else’s store? You know, just to see -well - how others do it? How they store their O2 tanks, process dirty equipment, tag equipment, bag equipment, record and track equipment maintenance, organize equipment on shelves, store parts, organize "dirty area", stock their vans, transport dirty equipment, route deliveries, and more? 
 
Take a "Virtual Tour". Look inside Georgia DME providers’ businesses - warehouse, stock area with shelving, tank storage area, dirty area, repair area, paperwork, tags, vehicles, etc. 
 
Then learn from Business and Accreditation expert, Bruce Brothis, along with a panel of your peers - how to Organize Your Operation! 
Agenda
8:00am – 8:30am              Registration 

8:30am – 8:40am              
Welcome & Prize Drawing (must be present to win)
Presented by Todd Tyson, President, Hi-Tech Healthcare 

8:40am – 8:45am
Overview of the Day
Presented by Philip Stoudenmire, Georgia Home Medical Equipment

8:45am – 9:30am
Important Updates for Georgia Medicaid Suppliers
Presented by Margie Preston, GA DCH
 
9:30am – 10:00am
Update on Current Legislative Activities
Presented by David Petsch, Petsch Respiratory
 
10:00am – 10:30am          Break - Visit Exhibits
 
10:30am – 12:00pm
Organizing Your Company: Retail, Operational & Financial “Best Practices”
This 90 Minute session will cover retail, operational and financial best practices for today’s efficient HME business. Topics to be covered include retail strategies, use of the ABN, efficient marketing, departmental structure and layout, document imaging, billing department best practices and financial benchmarking. Be sure not to miss this session to see how other successful companies around the country run their HME operations and how you can incorporate these practices into your organization.
 
Learning objectives include:
1.       Understand successful retail strategies in HME
2.       Develop a knowledge of successful HME departmental layout
3.       Understand the proper use of the ABN related to retail & billing
4.       Identify critical HME financial benchmarks for internal comparison
 
Presented by Bruce Brothis, Allegient Billing & Consulting
 
12:00pm – 12:45pm          Lunch
 
12:45pm – 1:15pm            Visit Exhibits
 
1:15pm – 2:15 pm

Washington Update: Insights, Analyses and Predictions
This session will focus on the substance and politics of the national issues affecting the HME community including the competitive bidding program, power wheelchairs and oxygen.  From legislative efforts to repeal and/or modify the competitive bid program, to CMS' policy changes on oxygen, and proposed changes to the Medicare home oxygen benefit, this session will provide a complete update on the national issues impacting our industry. Cara will also discuss Congress' proposals on national health care reform and how it will impact the HME industry.
Presented by Cara Bachenheimer, Invacare Corp.
 
2:15 pm – 3:00pm
“Best Practices” in Accounts Receivable Management
This session will cover specific proven strategies to run a more efficient Billing Department by identifying those practices used by successful HME companies around the country. Specific areas to be covered include DSO calculation, Accounts Receivable strategies with tips and tricks related to various payer sources, private pay collections and a proven method to all but eliminate CO-18 denials. Find out what the experts do with their billing and receivables and incorporate these practices into you Billing Department for better profitability and cash flow.
 
Learning objectives include:
1.      Understand how to calculate DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)
2.      Develop specific Accounts Receivable strategies for all payer sources
3.      Understand strategies for collecting private pay balances
4.      Learn how to eliminate CO-18 (Duplicate Claim) denials
Presented by Bruce Brothis, Allegient Billing & Consulting
 
3:00pm – 3:15pm               Cookie Break – Visit Exhibits (Exhibits close after break)
 
3:15pm – 4:30pm
Real Stories – Real Providers Panel
Don’t even think about leaving early!!
A panel of DME providers will share their stories, best practices, and tips on staying accredited! Learn from their mistakes and their successes.
Moderated by Philip Stoudenmire, Georgia Home Medical Equipment
Panelists: Chad McCrickard, Petsch Respiratory
 
4:30pm                                  Adjourn 
Location
Doubletree Hotel Atlanta NW/Marietta
2055 South Park Place
Atlanta | GA | 30339
770-272-9441
www.atlantamarietta.doubletree.com
 
The Doubletree Hotel Atlanta NW/Marietta is conveniently located off I-75 just north of the I-285 intersection, within 10 miles of Downtown Atlanta in the northwest suburbs. Be sure to say you are with the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Services to receive the discounted sleeping room rate of $99.00. Cut-off date is Sunday, January 10, 2010 so call today!!
Registration
Pay only $199 for the first attendee! Additional attendees from the same company pay only $179!
Non-member fee is $299.

CLICK HERE to register and pay on-line.
CLICK HERE to download a registration form to mail or fax. 
Associate member registration / Exhibit space is available!

CLICK HERE to register for exhibit space on-line. (coming soon)
CLICK HERE to download a registration form to mail or fax. 

About the Speakers
 


Bruce Brothis

 BRUCE BROTHIS is the President of Allegient Billing & Consulting, Inc, a 16 year old billing and consulting firm to the HME industry located in Colorado with offices in Texas, Nevada, North Dakota and Washington. Mr. Brothis is a nationally recognized expert in Medicare, Medicaid and third party intake, documentation, billing and collections with over 30 years of management, operational, financial and billing experience in the HME reimbursement arena. Mr. Brothis consults with numerous companies regarding billing and collection issues, accreditation preparation, operational effectiveness and compliance. He holds a BA in Marketing from Bethany College and an MBA with a Marketing emphasis from the University of Phoenix. His presentations are both informative and entertaining.

Cara Bachenheimer

 

CARA C. BACHENHEIMER, Esquire, is Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Invacare where she is responsible for the company's federal lobbying activities with Congress, the Administration and the federal regulatory agencies.

Prior to joining Invacare in October 2003, Cara was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the National Health Law Practice of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. She specialized in legislative and regulatory matters arising under the Medicare, Medicaid, and other third party payment programs. Ms. Bachenheimer also practiced n the firm's Health Care Fraud Practice Group and counseled clients on Medicare and other health care compliance issues, and lobbied Congress and regulatory agencies on her clients' behalf. Ms. Bachenheimer focused her practice on regulatory, federal legislative, government relations and HIPAA matters for ancillary service providers such as retail pharmacies, home health care providers as well as medical device manufacturers, distributors and other companies involved in the health care industry. She also assisted drug and device manufacturers in navigating complex coding, coverage and reimbursement challenges faced by their new technologies.

Ms. Bachenheimer has over 10 years experience in national coalition and association management covering all functions, including government relations. Ms. Bachenheimer held the position of Vice President, Member Services for the American Association for Homecare (the national trade association for home health care providers). Ms. Bachenheimer received her law degree from Georgetown University and her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Connecticut. She is a member of the American Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association and Women in Government Relations. Ms. Bachenheimer is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
 

Chad McCrickard

CHAD MCCRICKARD manages the daily operations for Petsch Respiratory in Augusta, GA. He began his healthcare career 1994 when he worked at a local hospital during college. After completing college he worked with the local county government before joining his parents, David and Janice, and brother, Todd, at Petsch Respiratory Services in 2004. Chad lives in Augusta, GA with his wife and 4 children.


 

 

Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Services (GAMES)
3605 Sandy Plains Rd. | Suite 240-470 | Marietta | GA | 30066
ph: 770-578-3999 | fax: 770-578-3399