At The Table With CAHSAH

California Association For Health Services At Home

At The Table with CAHSAH is where California’s home-based care community comes for real conversations with no spin and no talking points. Each week, we tackle the issues that matter most across home health, hospice, and home care. From policy shifts in Sacramento to reimbursement pressures, workforce shortages, and the realities of running a sustainable agency in California, nothing is off the table. Hear candid perspectives from industry leaders, frontline operators in the field, and voices shaping the future of care at home. Pull up a chair!

  1. 1d ago

    California Hospice Emergency Regulations #7: The Reporting Mistakes That Trigger Trouble With The State

    Hospice leaders cannot afford to guess at California’s new reporting rules. The state is no longer waiting to be notified, and the consequences of missing a trigger event - from a move or leadership change to ownership transitions, licenses, and voluntary closure - can be serious. Mark Wilson is joined by Cindy Hatton, Annette Lee, and Sharon Fredericks, three nationally recognized hospice experts, to break down what changed, what now has to be reported in advance, and who inside your organization should actually own the process. If you are responsible for compliance, operations, quality, or leadership, this conversation gives you the practical roadmap you need before the webinar. You’ll discover: - Why CDPH is tightening oversight and why “we’ll tell them later” is no longer a safe strategy - The reporting changes that require advance notice, including the 120-day requirement for change of ownership - How to build accountability with a clear internal owner, backup coverage, and daily or weekly follow-up - Why license renewals should never be left to the last minute and why the state will not remind you - How exclusion list, OIG, Medicare, and licensure checks can be automated with monthly scrubs and flags - What to know about voluntary license cancellation, including the 60-day written notice requirement and what must be included - How multiple layers of oversight - CDPH, CMS, and accreditors - all have to be kept in the loop

  2. Aug 13

    California Hospice Emergency Regulations #6: The Training Rule That Changes Leadership On Day One

    California has changed the playbook for hospice leadership. If you run a hospice agency, you need to understand what the new emergency regulations mean for management orientation and annual education. Mark Wilson is joined by Cindy Hatton of Hatton Consulting, Sharon Fredericks of SNS Home Care Consulting, and Annette Lee of Provider Insights to turn complex regulations into a practical roadmap for California hospice leaders. In this episode, we cover: What “first-time” means under California’s new requirements, including leaders who are new to the state Orientation requirements for administrators, designees, medical directors, and management teams The new 12-hour annual education requirement and how to build it into a manageable schedule How internal training, webinars, and hybrid education models can satisfy requirements What surveyors may look for regarding completion, competency, and documentation Competency testing, audit readiness, and practical ways to avoid an annual training scramble The conversation goes beyond checking compliance boxes. The panel discusses how stronger leadership education can improve organizational performance, staff understanding, and ultimately patient care. If you’re responsible for hospice leadership, compliance, education, or survey readiness in California, this episode provides practical guidance for putting the new requirements into action.

  3. Aug 11

    AI In HomeCare: Where It Belongs And Where It Doesn't

    AI is already creeping into home health and hospice, but if you use it wrong, it can put your agency, your staff, and your compliance at risk. Scottie Strong breaks down where AI actually helps, where it absolutely does not belong, and why the biggest danger may be leaders treating it like the authority instead of the assistant. Mark Wilson sits down once again with Scottie Strong, founder of Strong Consulting Group Services and a veteran advisor to home health and hospice agencies since 1993, for a blunt conversation about the real-world use of AI in post-acute care. From hospice documentation and decline indicators to home health charting, OASIS support, QA, and reimbursement pressure, Scott explains exactly where the technology can create efficiency - and where it can create serious trouble. You'll discover: - Why AI has no place replacing the human connection in hospice care - How it can still help with documentation, decline tracking, and compliance guardrails - The biggest home health opportunity: making sure clinicians capture the right data in the field - Why AI-generated clinical notes and patient-specific prompts can cross legal lines fast - The hidden compliance risk of employees uploading protected health information into AI tools without approval Scott also warns about the unintended consequences of using AI for referral screening, patient selection, and performance metrics, including the risk of cherry-picking easier cases and creating unfair government benchmarks. He explains why agencies need clear AI policies now, what those policies should prohibit, and why vendor transparency matters more than slick promises. If you're leading a home health or hospice organization, this episode is essential listening. It’s a practical, cautionary guide to using AI without losing compliance, judgment, or humanity.

  4. Aug 4

    AI in Healthcare: The Future of Home-Based Care or a Million Tiny Risks?

    Artificial intelligence isn't just approaching…it's here. Transforming how home health and hospice agencies operate today. Should you embrace it fully or proceed with caution? In this eye-opening episode, industry expert Scotty Strong joins Mark Wilson to cut through the hype and reveal what’s actually happening at the front lines of healthcare. From AI’s powerful role in automating documentation, coding, and scheduling, to its potential pitfalls like inaccurate decision-making and unintended data mishaps, this discussion explores the fine line between efficiency and risk. Scotty shares insights from over 1,000 legal reviews and his 30 years of industry experience, illustrating how AI can be your greatest asset or your biggest gamble if misused. Discover how AI can streamline clinician workflows, improve compliance before audits, and even identify coding errors — all while emphasizing the vital importance of human judgment. You’ll also learn why smaller agencies can keep pace with larger competitors if they leverage AI wisely, and how to get started without falling into common traps. This episode is perfect for agency owners, clinicians, and administrators eager to understand AI’s real potential while avoiding its dangerous chasms. In a landscape where “the wild west” is the rule, knowing where the guardrails are can make the difference between thriving or just surviving. Capitalize on the opportunity that AI offers and join us as we explore the future of healthcare. Whether you’re skeptical or excited, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to protect your agency and optimize your team’s time. Stay tuned for a part two, where the conversation goes even deeper. Dive into the reality of AI in home health and discover how to harness its power without sacrificing safety or quality. Support for this episode comes from Healthcare Synergy, helping agencies operate at peak performance with innovative EMR solutions, billing, and expert guidance. Are you ready to navigate the AI revolution in healthcare? Hit play now. Your future self will thank you.

  5. Jul 30

    California Hospice Emergency Regulations #4: Policies And Procedures

    Most hospice providers underestimate how deeply policies impact compliance and patient care until a regulatory audit turns into a reality check. In this eye-opening episode, industry veterans Sharon Fredericks and Eric Peterson reveal why having written policies isn’t enough. True success lies in routine implementation, real-time audits, and team-led updates. Discover how California’s new Hospice Emergency Regulations challenge hospices to move beyond static manuals and foster a culture of continuous improvement. We'll explore practical strategies to ensure your policies reflect actual practice, including effective senior leadership ownership, staff competency checks, and engaging team meetings that foster buy-in. You’ll learn how to translate complex legal language into day-to-day operations that staff understand and follow, reducing costly citations and elevating care quality. You’ll also hear specific tactics to streamline policy updates amid tight timelines, prioritize the most critical changes such as geographic service areas and patient acuity systems, and involve your team in the creation and review process. Plus, find out how structured ongoing education and audits escalate compliance from a checkbox exercise to a core organizational value. If you’re a hospice leader, compliance officer, or clinical manager feeling overwhelmed by the regulatory maze, this episode is your blueprint for turning policies into a practice that supports staff and impresses surveyors. With insights from respected California experts and real-world frameworks, you’ll leave equipped to build a resilient, compliant organization committed to exceptional patient care. Join us to transform policy from a dusty binder into a living, breathing tool that drives operational excellence. Your next survey success depends on it.

  6. Jul 23

    California Hospice Emergency Regulations #3: Nurse Ratio And Patient Acuity

    Most hospice providers are caught off guard by California's new emergency regulations, specifically, the strict nurse-to-patient ratios and patient acuity system. Are your staffing models ready to meet the legal demands while still providing quality care? This episode cuts through the noise with insights from two industry experts who know the regulations inside and out. Discover why regulators are focusing on nurse caseloads and patient acuity and what it means for your organization’s staffing, documentation, and patient care. With nurse ratios capped at 12 and a yet-to-be-standardized acuity system, many providers are asking: How do we adapt quickly without compromising quality? You'll learn about the regulatory language that defines “assignment,” how to monitor your ratios effectively, and how to develop a flexible yet compliant acuity model tailored to your team. We break down key topics: the practical implications of staffing at 12 patients per nurse, the importance of documenting care accurately, and the challenges of creating a reliable acuity assessment. Our experts share actionable strategies for early planning, including what to do now if your caseloads are higher than the new thresholds, and how to build a customized acuity system that stands up to scrutiny. Failure to prepare could mean regulatory penalties or compromised patient safety. Miss this, and you risk falling behind in delivering the best possible care. This episode is perfect for hospice leaders, administrators, and clinical directors who want to stay ahead of the regulatory curve and ensure their team is compliant and capable. Tune in to understand the nuances of the regulations, avoid common pitfalls, and be the leader who confidently navigates change while prioritizing patient well-being. Remember, the deep dive happens at our upcoming webinar. Register now at CASHAH.org to get even more detailed guidance directly from the experts.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

At The Table with CAHSAH is where California’s home-based care community comes for real conversations with no spin and no talking points. Each week, we tackle the issues that matter most across home health, hospice, and home care. From policy shifts in Sacramento to reimbursement pressures, workforce shortages, and the realities of running a sustainable agency in California, nothing is off the table. Hear candid perspectives from industry leaders, frontline operators in the field, and voices shaping the future of care at home. Pull up a chair!