Homecare: Medtrade Spring Preview

Networking opportunities, viewing the latest home health care products and gathering business improvement tips are just a few reasons home medical equipment providers gather together at Medtrade twice a year. Next month, Medtrade Spring returns to Las Vegas and is expected to draw 5,500 HME providers, manufacturers, distributors and others connected with the industry.

The annual spring conference and exposition - a more intimate version of the trade show in the fall - will give attendees the chance to interact with more than 450 exhibitors and choose from more than 70 educational sessions April 5-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"At Medtrade Spring, providers can see the latest technological advances, negotiate the best terms and establish effective relationships with manufacturers and distributors," says Zuzette Estevez, group show director for VNU Expositions.

For three days the show will offer educational sessions on topics including sales and marketing, business operations, reimbursement, legal and legislative issues, rehab, respiratory and accreditation.

"As reimbursement changes each year it is very important for providers to stay on top of what makes sense," says Kim Brummett, vice president of reimbursement for Advanced Home Care in Greensboro, N.C., and a member of the Medtrade educational advisory committee. "Medtrade Spring is a great opportunity to see what the experts say and network with peers to see what they are doing."

During the final two days, attendees will have the chance to meet with manufacturers and distributors on the trade show floor. In addition, the New Product Pavilion will showcase the newest products and technology in home medical equipment.

The exhibit floor is open April 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Schedule At-A-Glance

MONDAY, APRIL 4

9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Billing and Sales Bootcamp

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

8 a.m.-Noon Medtrade's Continuum of Care

10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Educational Sessions

1 p.m. AAHomecare Golf Classic

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. AAHomecare's Washington Update

7:30 a.m.-Noon Educational Sessions

9:45 a.m.-Noon Dueling Accreditation Services

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibit Floor Open

5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Party by the Pool

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

8 a.m.-Noon Educational Sessions

8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Fame and Fortune, HME Style

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Exhibit Floor Open

Session Highlights

Medtrade Spring offers more than 70 educational sessions full of ideas to improve your business and keep you informed on the latest legislative and regulatory issues. Here are a few highlights:

Wednesday, April 6

WASHINGTON UPDATE 7:30 A.M.-8:15 A.M.

Leaders from the American Association for Homecare will explore the latest legislative and regulatory challenges facing the industry, followed by a Rehab and Assistive Technology Council (RATC) update at 9:45 a.m.

2005 UPDATE ON THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION ACT 8:30 A.M.-9:30 A.M.

John Wester of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood will discuss the status of changes set in motion by the massive 2003 Medicare law.

DUELING ACCREDITATION SERVICES PART I: 9:45 A.M.-10:45 A.M. PART II: 11 A.M.-NOON

In this two-part panel discussion, representatives from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) will address the accreditation process and answer questions.

Thursday, April 7

FAME AND FORTUNE, HME STYLE 8 A.M.-9:30 A.M.

Jack Evans of Global Media Marketing, Joe Gross of National Healthcare, Jeff Baird of Brown & Fortunato, Bruce Brothis of Alternative Billing Solutions and Sherry Turk of Wheelchairs Unlimited will share the secrets of HME success in this session sponsored by HomeCare magazine.

NCART UPDATE 11 A.M.-NOON

Rita Hostak, president of the National Coalition for Assistive Rehab Technology (NCART), will discuss the organization's latest activities regarding coding, coverage policy and reimbursement.

Arrive a little early for these special events:

Monday, April 4

BILLING AND SALES BOOTCAMP 9 A.M. TO 4:15 P.M.

Industry experts Jane Bunch and Louis Feuer have teamed up once again to create strategies for increasing sales revenues as well as bring attendees up-to-date on the latest issues in reimbursement, changes with referral sources, appropriate intake and the rules for ensuring payment. Register online by visiting www.dynamicseminars.com or call 954/435-8182.

Tuesday, April 5

CONTINUUM OF CARE 8 A.M. TO NOON

This fourth-annual conference, sponsored by the American Association for Homecare, offers the latest lessons in protocol for practitioners, clinicians and therapists. This year's workshops feature four different tracks: respiratory therapy and sleep-disordered breathing; rehabilitation and assistive technology; orthotics and prosthetics; and home health nursing. Attendees are eligible to earn continuing education credits. To register, contact AAHomecare at 703/836-6263.

Many of HomeCare magazine's Editorial Advisory Board members will be in Las Vegas to offer expert advice on topics ranging from marketing to reimbursement. To view a complete session schedule, visit www.medtradespring.com.

Medtrade Exhibitors As of Feb. 17, 2005

Tips to Plan Your Trip

If you're not worn out after a day on the trade show floor, you'll find plenty to do after-hours in Las Vegas, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. From gambling to late-night clubs and attractions, you'll never be bored in this town. There are more than 100 shows to chose from during Medtrade Spring week, including magician David Copperfield, Elton John, Wayne Newton, Gladys Knight and the ABBA-inspired musical "Mamma Mia!" Check www.vegas.com for a full listing or call 866/807-4697. To help plan your trip, visit the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at www.lasvegas24hours.com or the Las Vegas Tourism Bureau at www.travelnevada.com.