Medtrade Spring Preview

In Las Vegas, it’s all a roll of the dice — but chances are the home care professionals rolling into Glitter Gulch March 21-23 for Medrade Spring will be seeking pragmatic solutions to today’s industry challenges instead of gambling on the future. The annual trade show will feature 70 educational sessions to help providers keep up with the latest regulations, and 450 exhibitors so they can stay current on the latest product offerings and industry solutions. But when the show floor closes, all bets are off — after all, it’s Vegas, baby!

Class Is In Session

Medtrade Spring will offer more than 70 educational seminars focusing on accreditation, business operations, home health/clinical, information technology, legislative and regulatory issues, mergers and acquisitions, oxygen and respiratory, rehabilitation and assistive technology, reimbursement, sales and marketing and sleep-disordered breathing. Here is a list of available sessions as of press time:

Tuesday, March 21

1 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Update on Mandatory Accreditation and Q&A With the Big Three

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Home Telehealth: This Is an Opportunity for DME Dealers!

New Wound Care Initiative: Support Surfaces

Accurate Measurements and Proper Fit of Mobility Assistive Equipment

Compliance & Health Literacy: Educating the Patient with Sleep Abnormalities

Incontinence: Expand your Knowledge & Your Profits!

Legal Insight — What to Do When the Government Comes Calling

Scoreboarding Productivity

The Other Side of the Table: Understanding the Buyer’s Perspective

Common Practices by FI’s in ICD-9 Downcoding

4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

High Flow Therapy for the Child at Home

How to Maximize Your DME Experience Through Inventory Management

I’m Getting Into Pediatrics…

Measure Your Marketing Efforts to Stop Wasting Marketing Dollars

My Competitor Called. They Want to Buy My Company

Start-Up Right

The New Medicare Claims Appeals Rules

Who Is Responsible for the Company’s Success?

Wednesday, March 22

8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Best Practices in HME: Operational, Financial And Sales

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

California Compliance – What You Need to Know

Heavy Duty Stuff – Can I Get Paid?

Key Customer Complaints and the Plan for Avoiding Them

Pay for Performance

Rehab: The Past, Present & Future

Sleep Apnea: A Quality of Life Issue

Where Are We with Accreditation?

Appropriately Setting Pulse Dose Oxygen Conserving Devices

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Best Practices in Ambulatory Oxygen Delivery

Common Accreditation Requirements

Medicare Reimbursement Changes And Opportunities

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

NSC on YOUR Doorsteps

Successful HME Marketing Strategies

The Value of a Sleep Apnea Compliance Program

What Hospices Need to Know!

YES, Your Balance Sheet Matters!

11 a.m. – Noon

Asthma and OSA

Closing the Deal: Legal Land Mines In Homecare/HME Acquisitions

Gatekeepers: Avoid Errors+Reduce Denials = Improved Cash Flow

HQAA Update

NCART- Medicaid Update

Payor and Patient Owed Receivables — The Neglected A/R

Performance Evaluations: How to Make Them Work for You!

Proven Strategies to Boost Recruitment and Retention

Hospitals – Ya Gotta Luv ‘Em! How To Get Your Fair Share of Referrals

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Meeting CMS Requirements Through ACHC

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Value of Joint Commission Accreditation

Thursday, March 23

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Do You Have a Performance Improvement Program to Meet Accreditation Standards?

Don’t “Wimp” Out on Your Denials! A Hands-On Workshop

How to Thrive as a Small Business in 2006 — With or Without Selective Contracting

Intro to FDA, DOT, CGA, and NFPA Requirements for Transfilling High Pressure and Cryogenic Oxygen

Meet the DMERC

What You Should Know About Compression Stockings to be Successful

You Can Improve How You Position Elderly Clients for Function and Independent Manual Mobility

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Rid the R.A.D. Confusion

FDA Regulatory Update: Status of Proposed Regulations/Guidelines and Agency Actions

AAHomecare Financial Performance Survey: Results and Benchmarks

Being Prepared – Having Your Business Ready for Acquisition Opportunities

Competitive Bidding Strategies

Don’t Gamble On Intake

Ensuring that Your Competency Program Meets Accreditation Standards

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 p.m.

Myths of Pressure Ulcer Etiology and Support Surfaces

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

ABC Accreditation: The Solution for Medicare Providers of O&P and DME Services

11 a.m. – Noon

The DMEPOS Reenrollment Process

Amendments to the Respiratory Care Act: Prepare Your Business

Expanding Cash Sales

How to get Powered Mobility Paid For

Medicare Audits — Forewarned Is Forearmed

Spoil Your Employees or Your Competitor Will: How to Increase Employee Retention

Tackling It Head-On: Succeeding With Competitive Bidding

Timing IS Everything: How To Determine the Best Time To Sell Your Company and Maximize Value

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

CHAP Accreditation for HME: A Practical “How To” Workshop

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

DMEPOS Accreditation in Four Months

For info on last-minute additions and other special events, visit www.medtradespring.com or call 800/933-8735.

Schedule At-A-Glance

TUESDAY, MARCH 21

7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Registration

8 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Continuum of Care Conference

8 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

The Brutal Facts — What’s Real in Reimbursement for 2006

1 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Educational Seminars

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Registration

8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Educational Seminars

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Exhibit Floor Open

5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

Party by the Pool

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Registration

8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Educational Seminars

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Exhibit Floor Open

For more information, visit www.medtradespring.com or call 800/933-8735.

Open 24 Hours

If you’re ready to unwind after a day on the trade show floor, you’ll never run out of options in Vegas. Dazzling casinos, swanky nightclubs, world-class restaurants and entertainment are right outside your door. Where else can you can visit both the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty in the same city? To help plan your stay, visit the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority at www.lasvegas24hours.com or the Las Vegas Tourism Bureau at www.travelnevada.com.