Recognizing your Referral Sources at the Holidays

You may still have Halloween candy lingering around the house, but if you're not already thinking about holiday client appreciations, you're behind.

The holidays provide an excellent opportunity to recognize your referral sources in a memorable way. The first step in planning your remembrances is to brush up on a few health care reform guidelines and statutes to make sure you are on the straight and narrow:

  1. The Stark Law (The Stark Law is a healthcare fraud and abuse law that prohibits physicians from referring patients for certain designated health services paid for by Medicare to any entity in which they have a “financial relationship.”)

  2. Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“The AKS is a criminal law that prohibits the knowing and willful payment of "remuneration" to induce or reward patient referrals or the generation of business involving any item or service payable by the Federal health care programs”)

  3. State regulations. (If you're not sure about whether something you have planned is legal or in compliance with your state's rules, check with your local legal counsel. Remember, just because another home health company is doing something doesn't mean it's legal.)

By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can stay compliant and still show your appreciation for the excellent working relationships you've developed. It's important to remember that the gifts given can't reflect the volume of referrals provided by the physician. The best solution is to provide the same gift for everyone.

Here are a few giveaway ideas:

  • For a conservative approach, stand out with a holiday card that subtly reinforces the value of home care. Make sure to sign it by hand -- extra points for having your entire leadership team sign it.

  • Make a charitable donation to a group that supports a relevant health care issue (American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, etc.) and let your referral sources know that in lieu of gifts, your company has chosen to support the worthy charitable cause.

  • The holidays are an excellent time to distribute branded home care calendars. These not only educate about the benefits of home care or hospice or when a referral is appropriate, but these attractive calendars will be referred to all year long, putting your referral information in prime position countless times.

  • If opting for a more traditional nominal holiday gift, try to make it a little unusual. For example, if you've decided on a coffee mug, look for one that's distinctive in shape or function. Try to come up with something that will be useful for the recipient: maybe an essential oil diffuser, phone power bank, umbrella, or a smart lunch tote. For help navigating your options, contact TAG Partners today at 866-232-6477 x 2018.

Visit our web store for your home health and hospice client appreciation gifts. We are a full-service print shop and an ASI member, so if you don’t see what you are looking for give us a call at 866-232-6477. We specialize in special.

Home Safety Month is coming up in June…

Take the opportunity now to furnish your referral network with home safety information.

Home Safety Month is good time to educate seniors on the importance of eliminating environmental hazards that could interrupt their long-term independence. While heart disease & cancer may be the leading causes of adult death in the United States, falls are the number one cause of injury related deaths for adults 65 and older.

Some accidents can be avoided with a little preparation and an in-home fall prevention assessment. This is a proactive approach to help older adults age in place by having their living environment evaluated for safety and ease of use. The Home Health community is an excellent resource for providing this service. Some common factors that can increase fall risk include:

  • Medical impairment                       
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Poor Vision                                        
  • Inadequate Lighting
  • Improper Footwear                       
  • Obstructed or Uneven Surfaces

Tips for safeguarding against falls:

  • Remove tripping hazards like pet toys, throw rugs and cords.
  • Declutter and create plenty of walking space.
  • Use non-skid mats, hand rails and grab bars in the bathroom.
  • Install railings on both sides of stairs and apply anti-slip treads to each step.
  • Provide adequate lighting in every room and place night lights in halls and stairways.
  • Make often-used items accessible without the use of a step stool or ladder.
  • If necessary, use personal walking devices, such as a cane or walker, to aid in stability.

For more information on Fall Prevention visit the National Council on Aging website:  https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/

How you can participate:

  • Visit your local senior care providers and supply them with informational brochures for their patients and caregivers.
  • Distribute fall prevention information to local worship communities and offer to teach a class on safeguarding against avoidable in-home accidents.
  • Arrange for your Occupational Therapists to lead a discussion group at senior centers in your area. Have them emphasize the importance of maintaining muscle strength and how low impact exercise and basic daily activities can improve mobility. Be sure to have plenty of swag on hand to distribute to the attendees.

For more ideas on branded Marketing materials visit our Web Store: www.tagwebstore.com