2018 Slate of Nominees

CANDIDATES FOR DIRECTOR

Denver Region

Alik Kassner (2021) Alpine Homecare, LLC, Denver 

  • Why are you interested in being an HCAC officer, board members or nominating committee member?
    The home care industry is faced with a great many challenges in the near future (EVV, billing system, min. wage increases, increasing regulatory burden, low rate increases, challenges to Medicaid, etc). The HCAC has done a great job in helping its members to manage and/or get prepared for these challenges. I would like to help in these endeavors and strengthen the representation of especially Class B agencies, which appear to me at times to be somewhat underrepresented.
  • What are the major issues facing the home care industry?
    • Introduction of EVV
    • Mandatory min. wage Increases in Colorado
    • Questionable future Medicaid rate increases (to match min wage increases)
    • Shortage of qualified caregivers
    • Training and retaining caregivers
    • Buggy reimbursement system (DXC)
    • Increasing regulatory burden
    • Future of Medicaid funding
  • What are my qualities which would help me contribute to the vision of HCAC?
    • Experienced, high integrity individual with strong analytical background in business, economics, finance and home care.
    • Ability to quickly grasp complex issues and come up with recommendations/a course of action (as, I believe, demonstrated especially as a member of the rates/billing and EVV groups).
    • Solid IT experience (Servers, Software (EVV, Billing, Accounting, Microsoft)

 Nancy Stokes (2021) Centura Health at Home, Denver

  • Why are you interested in being an HCAC officer, board members or nominating committee member?

    Home Care and Hospice currently plays a key role in the healthcare continuum. With our population continuing to age, it is extremely important that our industry works together to provide care for patients in their home. Providing care for patients in their home helps reduces total healthcare spend, but, more importantly, it is where most patients want to receive services.

    I am dedicated to finding ways to keep patients in their home to receive services as much as possible. Technology is certainly helping our industry to achieve this goal. Partnering with private duty home health agencies is also a key strategy that Centura Health at Home continues to pursue. Being a Board Member of HCAC will open up further avenues to help our community and to achieve the goals identified above. Centura Health has numerous initiatives regarding transitions of care. As a board member, I could further educate our members on successful transition of care programs. I feel my many years of healthcare experience can provide a great resource to HCAC as we work together to improve care and services in patients' homes.

  • What are the major issues facing the home care industry?
    • Increase in Demand - With more aging individuals preferring to receive care in the comfort of their home, many home health agencies will struggle to meet the growing demand with qualified staff and capable caregivers.
    • Continued legislative changes in the industry impacting both compliance and reimbursement - Impact of Home Health Grouping Model (HHGM) should this new reimbursement model be implemented.
    • ACO's and how home health providers can partner with these organizations.
    • Transition to Value Based Purchasing.
  • What are my qualities which would help me contribute to the vision of HCAC?
    • Extremely dedicated to our industry.
    • Financial background that can help support HCAC members regarding financial implication of new legislation. 
    • Home Health operational experience including strategic development plans. 
    • Experience with Centura Health regarding transitions of care and ACO payer relationships.

Suzanne Todd (2021) Argus Of Colorado Home Health, Denver

  • Why are you interested in being an HCAC officer, board members or nominating committee member?
    I have enjoyed the benefits as a member through work and am now ready to give back the association. I currently am in a positon that will allow the time commitment, I want to role model for others to get more active in the association
  • What are the major issues facing the home care industry?
    Shortage of nurses, High priced home heath therapists, over burdening regulation, potential loss of payment dollars re Medicare and Medicaid. As hospital become overwhelmed as other hospitals close, there will be a shift and HH will be expected to take sicker and sicker home care clients, there will be no additional payments, just more risk for agencies. Loss of rural incentives for HHA to provide adequate services to those areas. Other paramedical type providers wanting to be licensed
  • What are my qualities which would help me contribute to the vision of HCAC?
    Long time experience in the industry. Work well with others. Team member, dependable and flexible. I believe as a leader I have strong skills in analysis, motivation, teaching and mentoring.  Very interested in becoming a board member.


Southeast Region

Justin Grant (2021) MGA Home Healthcare, Colorado Springs 

  • Why are you interested in being an HCAC officer, board members or nominating committee member?
    I have always felt like HCAC's work at the State legislature level has done great things for all of the homecare providers in Colorado.  I'm hoping to bring value to an already proven organization within the Pediatric space.
  • What are the major issues facing the home care industry?
    Being in the pediatric arena I honestly feel like the nursing shortage is only going to get worse which will have an impact on ALL in-home providers.  The challenges that Home Care Companies face to compete with the hospitals will continue to grow so having the support of HCAC will only benefit our services.
  • What are my qualities which would help me contribute to the vision of HCAC?

    I intend to utilize the values & skills acquired from serving 8 years in the home care setting and apply this experience to innovative mid-level management. 

    Additional skill sets include:
      Operations Director
      Risk Management
      Public/ Interpersonal Communicator
      Organizer/ Time Manager
      Team Developer


 West Slope

 Brady Russell (2021) Home Care of the Grand Valley, Grand Junction

  • Why are you interested in being an HCAC officer, board members or nominating committee member?
    I have always been part of conferences and calls related to state associations, but I am truly interested in  taking the next step and being more of a leader and participant in the decision processes at the state level.  It is a passion of mine to advocate and lobby to make a difference.
  • What are the major issues facing the home care industry?
    • Reimbursement: Bundled Payments
    • Electronic Visit Verification
    • Staffing shortages in rural areas
    • Caring for clients in rural areas
    • Demands continue to increase related to doing more with less
  • What are my qualities which would help me contribute to the vision of HCAC?
    • Strong leadership and communication skills
    • Expect quality outcomes across the spectrum of care to be provided
    • New to Colorado so bring a fresh look at our current operation methods
    • Kind and caring heart with patient and families always a priority