New Year’s Eve EVV – How a Mandate Shaped 2018

                       Sinq’s Holiday Home Care 2018 List of Reflections

Many home care providers, states, and EVV opponents are breathing a sigh of relief as January 1, 2019 approaches and disappears like the uncomfortable pair of socks one receives during the holiday season.  However, the 21st Century Cures Act Section 12006 Electronic Visit Verification mandate for PCS still looms heavily for the year 2020.  It does not go unnoticed by the Sinq writing staff that the 2020 reference to perfect vision is ironic when discussing the EVV mandate, for it has been anything but crystal clear for many parties involved within home care, home care technology, and the many states trying to decipher the mandate conundrum.

In 2018, Sinq attended many home care conferences and summits, expanded the limits of our software platform, has had many discussions with larger and smaller home care providers, guided states on EVV, and has traveled far and wide for training sessions with hard working home care workers.

Sinq’s growth and experience as a home care software company has been, and continues to be exciting and rewarding, so we would like to present our List of Reflections for the Year of the Mandate Not To Be:

The topic of EVV overshadows the human element involved with home care and direct care services. The Stop EVV voices are legitimate and deserve everyone’s attention.  Sinq views EVV as the least important aspect of home care technology, and that is why the mandate may be hurting, not helping, those individuals who need quality care;

The topic of EVV overshadows the real potential of home care software and reducing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. EVV means check in/check out.  If the main concern among workers is being ‘tracked’ or ‘followed’ then that may be a red flag for some type of FWA.  The discussion should not revolve around GPS, but trust;

States are very quick to contract with EVV vendors and implement a statewide system without research and stakeholder input.Yes, much time is needed to implement an EVV system, but as we learned from Gary Tonks and The Arc of Ohio, knee-jerk reactions to sign the biggest vendor to a multi-year contract to fulfill a mandate around location services may prove to be detrimental. Also, if a state is relying on EVV onlyservices, they are most likely not going to experience value across the entire care continuum;

EVV shifts focus from excellent software platforms, reporting, and care capabilities. At Sinq, we would like to not hear about EVV for a long time.  Our software is so vast and unique, and we want to discuss the possibilities, not the basic requirements of a mandate.  Change in Condition, Care Plans, and Care Gaps should be the primary focus for home care providers, home care workers, and patients.  The real value exists within these capabilities, especially when Alerts and Events trigger positive results, for example, reducing hospital readmission rates.  Home care providers can benefit exponentially with quality home care software – they should not view the shift in technology as a punishment or invasive activity.  The move towards value-based care coupled with the advancement in technology will prove advantageous within the home care industry. (HEDIS, STARS, etc…).

While the list may be brief, we wanted to give our thoughts on the EVV mandate.  Sinq wishes the best of holidays for all, and a Happy, mandate free New year!  We appreciate all home care providers, the hard work of home care workers, assistants, direct-care workers, nurses, and families.

Cheers,

The Sinq Team

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq’s collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind.Sinq’s Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq’s software stand out within the industry, and with Payers, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant with EVV guidelines, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients.

Call today for more information, a free demo, or a consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io/.

Reviewing the Safety Benefits of Quality Home Care Software

Home care providers and agencies, direct care workers and caregivers, clients and clients’ families, and payers are increasingly empowered by the immediacy, effectiveness, quality, and depth of capabilities encompassed within home care technology. At the same time, home care software companies and their tech teams must keep a keen eye towards all that is crucial in maintaining security and limiting access to health records, while providing a collaborative and transparent relationship with all care partners.

                             

Sinq has always prided itself on the unique, symbiotic relationships it has with home care agencies and caregivers, but we acknowledge that the trust and empowerment we share collectively should not be taken for granted.The entire care team, from caregiver to payer, should regularly review policies and procedures relating to Role-Based Access Control when contracting with home care software companies to ensure all measures are in place to prevent security breaches and unauthorised access to sensitive information.

When home care providers are in the market for quality home care software that will guarantee data security, sophisticated authorisation and authentication access control is paramount. Home care agency owners, front-office workers and administrators, and caregivers navigate busy work schedules to deliver quality care, and assigning specific access to specific, necessary information based on authority and responsibility (roles)strengthens the integrity of sensitive data and applications.

Home care software companies should collaborate with providers to design, implement, and maintain role-based access control. Designating Agent, Office, Enterprise, and Administrative roles decrease inadvertent, and at times, malicious exposure of improperly secured data. Sinq engages in the highest level of security, for example, users utilising verification codes generated by an administrator, 2 Factor Authentication, white-listed IP address filtering, full-encryption, Jailbreak detection, SSL pinning, and static code vulnerability analysis.

While the threat of breaches and security weaknesses can be daunting for home care providers and clients, there are obvious advantages RBAC has for providers. According to Digital Guardian’s series Data Protection 101, RBAC makes sound sense:

• RBAC Reduces Administrative Workload and IT support
  • The issues surrounding retention rates of workers or changing roles can be solved quickly, and errors when assigning roles is diminished or eliminated;
• Operational Efficiency is Maximised
  • Assigning specific roles based on the organisation of the company allows all workers to be autonomous and efficient, as well as focused on their important task at hand;

• Compliance Satisfaction
  • From audits, to PHI, privacy and confidentiality, RBAC and IT departments have control how data is used and accessed.

While organisations and providers probably find that there are more advantages using RBAC, it is important to verify that home care software vendors/companies stay ahead of the game when it comes to sensitive information regarding client data and health information.

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq's collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind. Sinq's Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, EVV / EvS, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq's software stand out within the industry, and with Payors, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients.

Call today for more information, discuss partnership ideas, view a free demo, or for consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io/.

Combine and Conquer – A Case for Productive Partnerships

Win/Win Partnership Situations for Providers, Patients, Caregivers, and Home Care Technology 

Mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships continue to dominate the healthcare and home care headlines.  Every morning the Sinq team reads about numerous ventures occurring across the home care business continuum, and the overall, positive link is the effort to strengthen the presence of value-based care.  Lowering hospital readmission rates, reducing FWA, interoperability advancement, increasing collaborative measures across the entire care team, and creating strong home care agency advocacy act as beacons of light navigating future ideas.

This is an exciting time to experience the evolving landscape of dynamic partnerships within the home care industry.  The possibilities seem limitless when one envisions how technology, health care, home care providers, and caregivers can work together towards a common goal.  While most M&A and partnerships involve larger, well-funded companies, our Sinq business development team anticipates all-inclusive relationships that foster growth and empowerment—from large and small entities, to home care technology vendors, in-home caregivers, home care work force, direct care workers, home care agencies, payers, and creative ‘Uber’ type investors not afraid of breaking out of the box.  The home care worker shortage and retention rates may be improved if workers became partners and investors with agencies and home care technology companies.  The workers are already invaluable members of home care, and by bringing their experience to the table, only good can happen.   

The combine and conquer formula is also great for driving creative design.  If one large company has control of an industry, what is the likelihood that it will spend time and money changing its course?  For example, (one of many), Blockbuster passed up a deal with Netflix because the movie-store giant thought the deal was ludicrous.  Blockbuster’s hubris prevented it from seeking new ideas, creativity, and innovative approaches to business.  On the other side of the table, there have been partnerships and ventures that would never have happened without risk, ingenuity, technological expertise, forward-thinking pioneers, business acumen, and the thrill of a challenge.

The combine and conquer aphorism also reflects opportunities for improved data exchange and highly-functional interoperability.   In a recent article from Healthcare IT Analytics entitled, “Shrewd Health IT Purchasing Strategies Key to Seamless Data Exchange,” Jessica Kent discusses the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recommendations involving making interoperability a top priority.  Quoting NAM, Kent writes, “Healthcare organizations must rethink how disparate health IT modules are connected, not just within one hospital, but also among every entity involved in a patient’s care, including physicians’ offices, home health agencies, other post-acute care facilities, and social services.”  The ‘rethinking’ can be, and should be, achieved through partnerships, collaborative efforts, sharing of ideas, and creating IT relationships that safeguard all members of the healthcare community.  

The connectiveness involved with healthcare, home health care/home care, hospitals, agencies, post-acute care, home care technology companies, home care workers, patients, families, is expanding rapidly, and at times, technology is not staying afloat.  The win/win situation is not just for companies and profit, but for the energy of innovation, creativity, and pushing the limits of unknown boundaries of technology.  Partnerships, especially involving large organizations, can create scary scenarios when people directly affected are not given a voice; however, when all parties are involved with the development and evolution of productive partnerships, from presidents of companies to workers to patients, result-driven, value-based care can exceed expectations for many, many years. 

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq's collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind. Sinq's Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, EVV / EvS, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq's software stand out within the industry, and with Payors, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients. 

Call today for more information, discuss partnership ideas, view a free demo, or for  consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io/.

A Busy, Productive Summer for Sinq Wraps Up in Glen Allen, Virginia

Sinq’s Participation in Virginia’s Association of Home Care and Hospice Conference Rewarding and Insightful (Respect for the Home Care Workers) 

Sinq Technologies had the great opportunity to attend the Virginia Association of Home Care and Hospice Conference on September 25 in Glen Allen, Virginia.  Matt Tipples, Sinq’s Business Development Executive, reported record number of participants interested in the Sinq’s software and services.  They were also treated to Sinq’s platform and reporting demos.

The traffic to the Sinq booth was electric, and Matt received nothing but positive feedback from home care providers and home care aides alike.  “The energy was amazing at the conference,” states Matt.  “Our business is growing, our clients are happy, and I believe, as I always have, that Sinq has a unique business model that is supported by its specialized, industry-leading home care technology.”

Matt notes that the home care providers, home care aides, direct care workers are exceptional, respectful, hard-working individuals who are eager to learn about Sinq’s home care software.  Working with agencies and home care aides is a very rewarding experience for Matt and the Sinq tech team, but the acknowledgment of caretaker turnover rates and retention looms large for the technology company.

“We are constantly researching ways through technology to preserve the important roles home care aides and caretakers have within the home care industry.  Concentrating on EVV and the mandate is not addressing the real issues that will impact countless number of people receiving home care.  We believe the lack of home care workers will be at crisis mode soon, and we want to be a part of the solution.  We realize it is not a ‘tech’ problem, but the industry must look at all avenues for viable answers.”

In a 2017 study conducted by Stephen Campbell, a data and policy analyst for PHI, (Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute) entitled “U.S. Home Care Workers: Key Facts,” Campbell notes that:

• Home care worker wages stagnated over the past 10 years: inflation-adjusted median hourly wages were $10.33 in 2006 and $10.49 in 2016; 
• Two-thirds of home care workers work part time or for part of the year;
• Because of low wages and inconsistent hours, home care workers earn a median income of $13,800;
• Low annual earnings result in a high poverty rate among home care workers: 23 percent live in households below the federal poverty line, compared to 7 percent of all U.S. workers;
• From 2014 to 2024, home care workers are projected to add more jobs than any other single occupation, with an additional 633,100 new jobs anticipated;
• From 2015 to 2050, the population of adults aged 65 and over will almost double, growing from 47.8 million to 88 million;
• Labor force participation among women ages 20 to 64, who currently make up most of the home care workforce, will increase by only 1.2 million in the next decade, compared to 7.3 million in the previous decade.

Campbell finally notes in his report that, “A significant shortage of home care workers emerges from greater demand for home care services paired with little growth labor force. In this context, jobs will need to be more competitive, offering higher wages and benefits, full-time hours, better training and advancement opportunities, and improved working conditions.”

There is a lot of work to be done in the home care industry to make the job of home care aides, caretakers, and direct care workers desirable.  As more and more companies are paying their workers $15.00 an hour, the concept that individuals who take care of loved ones, family members, vulnerable populations, and kind-hearted people only receive $10/hour should take on a new perspective.  The importance of home care workers, and their impact on future populations should be highlighted in our society.

As members of the home care workforce circulated around the VAHC 2018 conference in Virginia, the uphill battle faced by the industry was tangible.  However, even in the face of hardship and difficulty, the home care workers are a proud group willing to provide excellent care for clients because it is inherent in them.

Sinq would like to thank the VAHC, especially Debbie, and all the caretakers, aides, direct care workers who visited the Sinq booth and spent time to learn about our product.

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq's collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind. Sinq's Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, EVV / EvS, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq's software stand out within the industry, and with Payors, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients.

Call today for more information, a free demo, or a consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io/.

Sinq Technologies Strengthens its Collaboration Efforts Within Virginia’s Home Care Environment: A Chat with Matt

Sinq is Experiencing Exciting Growth in Virginia, and Providers are Happy (As Are We)

Sinq Technologies is not only improving and strengthening its web portal and reporting capabilities beyond Electronic Visit Verification, but it is also experiencing a burgeoning presence in Virginia.  While Sinq's recent upward trend of popularity and collaborative relationships can be attributed to industry-leading technology in home care, Matt Tipples believes it reflects Sinq establishing itself as a traditional, hands-on, provider and patient-centered technology company.

"Our collaborative efforts within Virginia are quite impressive.  Based on feedback from our clients, they really appreciate the attention we afford them while going through the introductory phases and training sessions.  The EVV process alone takes time, patience, and more time.  

We don't believe in handing providers and home care aides manuals and letting them fend for themselves.  Our technology, the CareSinq app, our specialized portals and reporting capabilities are so dynamic and richer than EVV-only platforms that much learning is necessary for all parties involved," notes Matt Tipples, Business Development Executive for Sinq Technologies.

In additional to the Sinq's exceptional service, Matt views Sinq's collaborative technology as a major driver for success in Virginia.  "We build amazing technology with the providers, aides, and patients in mind.  Our tenet has always revolved around Transparency. 

Better information transparency across care management teams and home health providers improves member outcomes while reducing FWA.  We work with our clients to achieve that goal, and our technology is customizable for that reason.  Yes, EVV will be a mandate, but providers want to have long-term, positive outcomes in addition to EVV requirements.  That is what makes Sinq stand out in this industry, and why our chemistry is strong in Virginia."

We have recently signed with multiple home care providers throughout Virginia.  One provider, Alpha Health Resource in Annandale, Virginia is excited about the vast potential a collaboration with Sinq will have on business and quality of care for patients.  "Working with Alpha has been a great experience," states Matt.  "Building a relationship with Alpha for the common goal of providing quality home care while utilizing advanced home care technology exists as Sinq's overall advantage over other vendors in this industry."        

We are also excited to showcase their product at this year’s Virginia Association of Home Care and Hospice conference on September 25 in Glen Allen, Virginia.  "Our presence at VAHC conferences has been very rewarding.  Everyone associated with VAHC is helpful, hard-working, and assists in every way possible.  We really enjoy the experience of demonstrating our product and speaking with home care providers and home care aides who will be in the field using our technology." 

The VAHC conference will be held at Hilton Garden Inn, 4050 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq's collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind. Sinq's Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, EVV / EvS, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq's software stand out within the industry, and with Payors, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients. 

Call today for more information, a free demo, or a consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io/.

Reflections of Labor Day and the Importance of Support for Home Health Care Aides

Building Stronger Support Systems with Technology for Home Care Workers to Improve Working Conditions

We have expressed our gratitude for the hard work and dedication of home care aides, direct care workers, and personal care attendants alike in previous writings, and we are cognizant and troubled about the dire outlook that field of employment faces with turnovers and shortages.  Moreover, as we have stated many times, the focus on Electronic Visit Verification, forming associations about Electronic Visit Verification, and reliance on EVV-only software de-humanizes workers, clients, and limits the potential of home care technology.  

Without home care aides, certain home care software platforms would not exist, especially EVV.  One peril of home care technology is the tendency to forget that workers undergo stress, undesirable working conditions, and harassment. Communication between worker and boss, in this case the home care aide and the agency, is necessary due to the high turnover rates among home care workers; moreover, possible lack of support deserves extra attention due to effects the abuse and toxic environment may have on workers.

Excuse my lengthy, but poignant excerpt by Miriam Ryvicker’s recent article entitled “An International Perspective on Improving Occupational Conditions for Direct Care Workers in Home Health,” from the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research:

“Home care workers do not have the same level of protections by workplace safety policies such as those implemented in hospitals and nursing homes. A study of 1249 home care aides in the US found that 7% of the sample experienced physical violence on the job, while 19% were victims of verbal violence, including being yelled at, threatened, and subjected to racist language. Another US study found that 20% of home care aides experienced some form of abuse on behalf of clients or clients’ families – including verbal abuse, prejudicial comments, or witnessing elder abuse or neglect.”

The numbers, and the home care aides behind them, should be addressed.  The home care industry will suffer more if support and solutions to such issues are ignored.  To retain home care workers, and provide favorable working conditions, it seems plausible to utilize home care technology to bridge the communication gap.  Home care workers/personal care assistants may not speak to each other or communicate with their offices daily/weekly when much needed support is crucial.  However, because they are surrounded by technology daily, it can be a tool to open the door to a room of supporters.

To quote Ryvicker once again:

“Advancements in communication technology offer a potential opportunity to better connect home care workers to a support system. Establishing such a support system would call for both structural and cultural shifts in the home care industry to raise awareness and provide practical solutions to improve the occupational health and safety of home care workers both locally and globally.”

Of course, a lot needs to be done with home care technology to better involve workers’ reflections and concerns while in the field.  Maybe there should be a technology mandate for monitoring home care workers’ safety and well-being?  Maybe there should be EWSS technology – Electronic Worker Support System in home care software platforms?  Unfortunately, society is moving away from face-to-face meetings where support systems have a chance to flourish, but that does not mean that support is unable to exist.  Once the perfect harmony between home care technology and home care workers is created, a safe and supportive network for home care aides, personal care assistants, and home care nurses will have long-lasting, positive results.

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq's collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind. Sinq's Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, EVV / EvS, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq's software stand out within the industry, and with Payors, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients. 

Call today for more information, a free demo, or a consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io/

Sinq's Improved Web Portal a Result of Growth in the Home Care Technology Industry

Sinq's Robust Web Portal Improves Home Care and Provider Experience

Sinq Technologies, a home health care technology and services company, is excited about its growth in the industry, and the subsequent advancements resulting from its success, namely a richer and more robust web portal.

Over the past two years, Sinq has refined its business model to cater to home care agencies and payers to reflect an ever-evolving technological presence in home health care. The collaborative, customizable business model reflects the desire for providers and payers to control their data and tailor Sinq's software for client-specific needs. 

"Our unique, customized software has always set us apart from larger home care technology companies," notes Matt Tipples, Sinq's Business Development Executive. "Our improved and built-out web portal creates more effective and efficient care for all parties, and as a result, our business in New Jersey and Virginia is expanding. Our new relationship with the Virginia Association for Home Care and Hospice is very rewarding, and we look forward to another VAHC conference in September."

"Sinq's dynamic technology allows for agencies and payers to utilize all our services based on specific needs. From large to small agencies, to data-only integrator, platform-only perimeters, to all-encompassing technology, Sinq is really providing a one-stop shop for home health care," stated Matt. "We acknowledge that Electronic Visit Verification is pervasive in-home health care conversations, but EVV is not unique. It will be a requirement, but agencies benefit so much more from our technology that EVV becomes an afterthought."

Sinq's web portal appeals to payers, providers, and clients because of the multitude of roles one can assume when using the technology. The home care office manager, the care team aides, the payers, the clients, become players and active members under the care team umbrella. For that reason, Matt explained, smaller home care agencies feel safe and important when working with Sinq. "Agencies and payers prefer to control their data and extract certain information conveniently. We do not hold their data hostage -- it is theirs to own. We work with agencies who appreciate the immediate, personable care we provide, and we try to understand and create dialogue with organizations that feel left out of the EVV conversation so we can learn how to provide care for all populations in a safe and productive environment."

"There is so much happening at Sinq and with our technology that it would take a while to discuss, but overall, we are proud of our product, our services, and the clients who rely on us for great technology."

Read Sinq's recent interview with Gary Tonks of The Arc of Ohio: 

About Sinq Technologies

Sinq's collaborative software technology platform was built with purpose in mind. Sinq's Care Plan Transparency, Care Gap Management, EVV / EvS, and Change in Care Monitoring makes Sinq's software stand out within the industry, and with Payors, Providers, and Plans. We can help you become compliant, but our expansive software offers long-term solutions for the betterment of your agency and clients. 

Call today for more information, a free demo, or a consultation at 847-325-5007, or talk directly to Matt at 630-596-6721, email Matt at mtipples@sinq.io, or visit us at http://www.sinq.io.