As the general election date approaches (November 2, 2010), politicians throughout the nation are preparing their statements regarding health care.  Health care is certainly a hot topic and one of particular interest to members of the home health care and hospice community.  With the passage of health care reform, our industry is still waiting to see how changes to Medicare will affect our business of providing care to patients in need, especially the aging population.  Healthcare Concepts is based in Memphis, TN and a recent edition of our city's newspaper, The Commercial Appeal, addressed these pressing issues with the Tennessee gubernatorial candidates by posing the following questions:

1. "One study says the health care reform law could add as many as 500,000 people and $1.5 billion to TennCare's budget within five years.  How would you prepare for this in your first term as governor?"
2. "Do you support efforts to challenge the health care reform law in the courts?  On what basis?"
3. "As governor, would you try to convince Congress to repeal any portions of the health care reform law?  If so, which parts?"

These queries reflect the public's interest in the health care debate and the role it will play in this round of midterm elections.  Healthcare Concepts is curious to know what's on your mind.  Are there any additional questions you'd ask your legislators?  Let us know, we welcome your contributions.

With the recent news of Gentiva Health Services buying Odyssey Healthcare (one of the largest hospice providers in the nation), one has to wonder if the home health care and hospice industry will eventually go the way of Walmart: meaning major corporations rooting out smaller organizations and creating less competition in the marketplace.  Those of us in the home care industry have for years questioned whether or not the “mom and pop” agencies could exist in the shadow of the nationally recognized providers with multiple locations and/or franchises spread throughout the country.  So far, they have been able to hold their own despite the industry’s continued growth and across-the-board consolidation.  In addition to threats from industry giants, Mom and Pop agencies are facing devastating cutbacks in Medicare, and other harmful legislation, that expose them to an exponentially larger blow than the big boys. 

As the post-acute care industry evolves, with its myriad of services along the continuum of care, one wonders, how much longer can smaller agencies survive in the midst of the one-stop-shops?  If home grown care providers do become a thing of the past, is it just “business” when your business is designed to help and not hurt?  Just a question, curious to see what you think.  Please weigh in with your comments.

One day in the future, we will be flipping through a scrapbook of memories and notice a page covered with Facebook "badges", LinkedIn "logos", and Twitter "buttons" that conjure nostalgic feelings about the Social Networking age.  An age when our "followers" received up to the minute reports of our whereabouts and goings-on, where a special occasion didn't happen unless documented in a digital photo album,  and our professional network was kept abreast of recent promotions, separations and, in the case of the Healthcare Concepts' Recruiting Division, executive level job openings in home health care and hospice.  Just with any other trend, the day will eventually come when these sites and resources become obsolete.  For those "in the know" it may be painful at first but a new website with exciting, state of the art features will no doubt wipe away the tears.  And, for those who wish to remain anonymous, you are welcome to continue to fly below the radar.  No matter what happens, we at Healthcare Concepts will keep you posted on all wonderful availabilities and opportunities in the home health care and hospice industry. 

For all new visitors, Welcome!  For all returning visitors, Welcome Back!  We at Healthcare Concepts are implementing a new strategy and "KISS"-ing the past goodbye.  We have decided to employ the KISS (Keep it simple, stupid!) method as it relates to our new site.  Our hopes are to offer a more user-friendly experience by simplifying the navigation process.  Despite the changes to the site, Healthcare Concepts continues to provide the same quality services you have come to expect from our organization: Consulting, Forms/Publications, and Recruiting for the home health care and hospice industry.  We'd love to hear from you, especially regarding the website.  If you have any questions please contact us via email at info@healthcareconcepts.com or post your comments and/or suggestions to our blog.