Welcome to another episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, where Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks break down the most important issues shaping the home care and hospice industry.In this special solo episode, Amy unpacks the massive Texas HHSC payment model change that went into effect on September 1, 2025—a shift that impacts reimbursement rates, cost reporting, average wage requirements, and future compliance risk for every home care agency in the state.If you’re a Texas provider, this episode is essential. If you’re not in Texas, it’s still a powerful preview of where similar policies across the U.S. are heading.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy ACERS was eliminated and what replaced itThe real meaning behind the new “$13 average wage” requirement (spoiler: it’s NOT a minimum wage)How misinformation from monitors and MCOs created confusion for providersWhat goes into the 90% spend requirement—and how to avoid being placed on the new public “naughty list”Why raising wages across the board to $13/hour could put agencies in financial dangerStrategic guidance on compliance, payroll structure, and preparing for the next cost-reporting cycleHow the cost report system (STEPS) will change the way providers submit and reconcile their dataAmy breaks down these rules in plain English, providing clear explanations and actionable guidance.Whether you’re an agency owner, administrator, compliance leader, or just trying to understand the rapidly shifting home care landscape—this episode gives you the clarity you need to protect your agency and plan ahead.Chapters00:00 Intro 01:01 What Changed on September 1? 01:16 Why Amy Is Leading This Breakdown Episode 02:12 Understanding the “Naughty List” & 90% Spend Requirement 03:30 The Truth About the $13 Wage Rule (Not a Minimum!) 07:35 Why Legislators Appropriated Funding the Way They Did 08:00 How HHSC Calculated the Statewide Average Wage Expectation 09:00 Misinformation From Monitors & Case Managers 26:55 New STEPS Cost Reporting System & Pre-Populated Data 30:00 What Agencies Should Do Next 31:00 Closing ThoughtsListen OnApple Podcasts | Spotify | TheHomeCareExperience.comHashtags#HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareLeadership #HomeCareInnovation #TexasHomeCare #HHSCUpdate #MedicaidHomeCare #CostReporting #HealthcareCompliance
Welcome to The Home Care Experience with T&A! In this episode, Amy Taylor shares her journey into home care—from waitressing at Outback to becoming a trusted CPA and advocate for providers.Chapters 0:00 Learning Through Messy Books 0:21 Narrator Intro – Amy Taylor’s Journey 1:29 From Oklahoma Roots to Accounting Dreams 5:01 First Job and Early Career Lessons 9:32 What Outback Taught Me About Work and Life 13:55 Discovering Home Care with Craig Carter 17:00 Starting Fresh and Building a Firm 21:05 Moving to Austin and Starting Over 33:17 Thinking Bigger and Expanding Vision 42:48 Why Amy Chose Home Care and Never Looked Back💬 What was your biggest takeaway from Amy’s story? Drop it in the comments!#HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareHeroes #CaregivingTips
Welcome to The Home Care Experience with T&A! In this episode, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks uncover why Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) are essential for HIPAA compliance, data security, and peace of mind in home care and hospice.Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:30 What is a Business Associate Agreement? 5:00 Common misconceptions about HIPAA and BAAs 10:00 Real-life stories from the field 15:30 Cybersecurity and insurance challenges 20:45 Why you need to update your agreements 22:50 Final thoughts👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website#HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareHeroes #HealthcareCompliance #HIPAA #Cybersecurity
In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, co-host Troy Brooks flips the script and shares how he stumbled into home care law. From Louisiana courtrooms to Texas compliance battles, Troy opens up about his journey, the mentors who shaped him, and why he’s never left the home care community.👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YoutubeChapters: 0:00 Intro 1:20 From Law School to Louisiana Courtrooms 7:50 First Steps at Texas DHS 12:30 Choosing Nurses Over Policy Work 18:00 Moving Into Private Practice 22:15 Discovering Home Care Law 30:45 Why Home Care Providers Inspire Him 34:00 The Power of TAG (Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice) 36:15 Takeaways and Closing#HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareHeroes #HealthcareLeadership
Payroll shouldn’t be painful but in home care, it often is. In this episode, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks talk with Shelby Betts of WHIRKS Payroll about the biggest challenges agencies face when managing payroll, and how to fix them. Discover why outsourcing payroll can streamline your operations, reduce risk, and even improve employee retention. 🔗 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and visit https://thehomecareexperience.com Chapters: 0:00 – Intro & Why Payroll Hurts 1:32 – Meet Shelby Betts & WHIRKS 4:41 – Outsourcing vs. DIY Payroll 8:07 – Overcomplicated Pay Structures 12:58 – Off-Cycle Payroll: A Red Flag 18:19 – Tax Filings, Compliance & State Rules 24:00 – The Value of True Service Providers 30:12 – Integrations & EMR Systems 37:05 – Transitioning to a New Payroll Partner 41:29 – WOTC: The Overlooked Tax Credit 44:00 – Closing Thoughts on Outsourcing Hashtags: #HomeCarePodcast #PayrollTips #BackOfficeSolutions #ShelbyBetts #HealthcareLeadership #HomeCareInnovation
Did you know that your “healthy” hospice agency could owe Medicare millions—years after the fact? In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks explain the hospice aggregate cap and its devastating impact on unprepared providers. From the nuances of daily rate limits to the risks posed by patient transfers and average length of stay, this is essential for anyone in the home care space. Expect honest stories, practical strategies, and some surprising revelations. Whether you’re just launching a hospice agency or acquiring one, this conversation could save your bottom line. Chapters: 0:00 – Narrator Intro 1:25 – What Is the Hospice Cap? 5:50 – Balancing Long-Term vs. Short-Term Patients 10:45 – Transfers & Prorated Credit Explained 14:00 – Stories of Big Overpayments 18:30 – Monitoring & Documentation Musts 22:00 – Hospice Eligibility & Medical Necessity 28:00 – Guidance for New Owners 33:00 – The Culture of Hospice & Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | thehomecareexperience.com #HomeCarePodcast #HospiceCare #MedicareCompliance #HealthcareLeadership
Welcome to The Home Care Experience with T&A! In Episode 7, Amy and Troy explore the complex—and often misunderstood—world of buying and selling home care agencies. If you've ever thought about selling your agency, acquiring another, or advising someone through the process, this episode is for you. Get practical legal and financial guidance, learn what mistakes to avoid, and walk away with a much clearer idea of what it takes to succeed in a home care M&A.You’ll Learn:What a proper M&A process looks like in home careStock vs. asset purchase: pros, cons, and consequencesHow due diligence protects both buyer and sellerWhy rushing the deal can backfireWhen to call in the professionals—and why it matters🎧 Don’t miss Troy’s real talk about brokers and Amy’s breakdown of why a “friendly deal” still needs legal backup.0:00 – Intro0:46 – What "Mergers & Acquisitions" Really Means2:00 – The Realities of the Process3:30 – NDAs and Sharing Info4:30 – The “Non-Binding” LOI Myth8:00 – Stock Purchase vs. Asset Purchase13:45 – Due Diligence: Financial vs. Clinical18:00 – Regulatory and Tax Landmines26:00 – Cost Reports, Buyer Risk & CPAs30:00 – The Broker Factor40:00 – Red Flags, “Too Good to Be True” Deals45:00 – Final ThoughtsHashtags: #HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareHeroes #CaregivingTips #MergersAndAcquisitions #HealthcareLeadership #HomeCareInnovationDisclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult with your own attorney, CPA, or qualified advisor before making decisions related to buying, selling, or operating a home care business.
In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks welcome guest Denise Bell—former home care agency owner, skincare brand founder, and bold advocate for personal growth. From Kodak cubicles in the '80s to Grammy swag bags in 2024, Denise walks us through her transformative journey through entrepreneurship, burnout, and rediscovery.She shares how home health taught her about the selflessness of nurses, why she left it all behind, and what it really means to prioritize your own needs in a caregiving world. Expect unfiltered real talk, emotional insight, and laughter you didn’t know you needed.📌 Chapters:00:00 – Intro 02:15 – Kodak beginnings and the power of customer service 06:00 – Getting into home health: family, Craig Carter, and career pivots 11:00 – Burnout in caregiving: the warning signs and what comes next 17:00 – Reinventing herself at 44: Esthetician school and Five Circle Skincare 24:00 – The psychology of self-talk and finding your voice 29:00 – Practical self-care vs. performative wellness 36:00 – Rituals, relationships, and the ice cream story 39:00 – Denise's message for overworked women and caregivers 40:00 – Outro and future topics🎧 Listen on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | thehomecareexperience.comMentioned in the Episode:Five Circle Skincare (Denise’s brand)Baldwin Beauty School, AustinCraig Carter and the role of cost reporting in home care
Understanding Texas Medicaid Rate Enhancement—and why it matters for Personal Assistance Services providersIn Episode 5 of The Home Care Experience with T&A, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks unpack the complexities of this powerful but often misunderstood Texas program. From how to enroll and measure compliance, to using bonuses strategically and avoiding devastating recoupments, this is a must-listen for PAS providers and agency owners.Whether you’re new to rate enhancement or trying to protect your current reimbursement level, this episode gives you actionable insights to protect your business and support your staff.🔗 Explore more episodes & show notes: https://thehomecareexperience.com
Cash flow is the lifeline of any home care business. In this episode, hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks dive into the financial strategies home care providers need to stay afloat, especially in uncertain times. From securing lines of credit to smart financial planning, they break down how to build a safety net that ensures long-term success.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why cash reserves are essential for home care providersHow a line of credit can safeguard your businessThe importance of securing financial backing before you need itUnderstanding financial obligations, including payroll taxesHow to prepare for financial emergencies and unexpected expensesWhy frugality is key for startups and growing businessesThe role of professional financial guidance in strengthening cash flowWhether you're an established provider or launching a new home care agency, financial preparedness is non-negotiable. Tune in for expert insights on securing your business's financial future!Listen & SubscribeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnightHCFinancialMore Episodes: thehomecareexperience.com📌 Chapters:0:00 - Navigating Cash Flow Challenges in Home Care10:05 - Building Cash Reserves: Strategies and Insights20:08 - Understanding Financial Obligations and Planning for Success💬 What financial strategies have helped your home care business? Share your thoughts in the comments!#HomeCarePodcast #FinancialPlanning #CashFlow #HomeCareBusiness #HealthcareLeadership #Entrepreneurship
In this conversation, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks delve into the critical topic of cybersecurity within the home care sector. They discuss the increasing threats posed by cybercriminals, particularly in healthcare, and the importance of implementing robust security measures. The conversation covers various aspects of cybersecurity, including the types of attacks, preventive strategies, the role of insurance, data management practices, and the legal implications of breaches. They emphasize the need for training and awareness among staff, as well as the importance of having a solid emergency response plan in place. The discussion highlights the necessity of viewing cybersecurity as an ongoing concern rather than a one-time fix, urging organizations to be proactive in their approach to safeguarding sensitive information.TakeawaysCybersecurity is a growing concern in home care.Healthcare institutions are prime targets for cyber attacks.Criminal organizations are increasingly sophisticated in their methods.Data segregation is crucial for protecting sensitive information.Insurance policies must be carefully reviewed for adequate coverage.Training staff on cybersecurity is essential for prevention.Legal implications can arise from data breaches.Emergency preparedness plans should include cybersecurity protocols.Proactive measures are necessary to mitigate risks.Understanding the threat landscape is key to effective security. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity in Home Care02:57 The Growing Threat Landscape05:48 Understanding Cyber Attacks and Their Impact09:08 Preventive Measures and Best Practices11:56 The Role of Insurance in Cybersecurity14:46 Data Management and Segregation18:08 The Importance of Training and Awareness20:57 Legal Implications of Cyber Breaches23:45 Emergency Preparedness and Response27:03 Conclusion and Future Considerations (00:00) - Introduction to Cybersecurity in Home Care (02:57) - The Growing Threat Landscape (05:48) - Understanding Cyber Attacks and Their Impact (09:08) - Preventive Measures and Best Practices (11:56) - The Role of Insurance in Cybersecurity (14:46) - Data Management and Segregation (18:08) - The Importance of Training and Awareness (20:57) - Legal Implications of Cyber Breaches (23:45) - Emergency Preparedness and Response (27:03) - Conclusion and Future Considerations
In this conversation, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks discuss the current state of the home care industry, focusing on the increasing scrutiny in hospice care, the financial impacts of COVID-19, and the challenges faced by home health providers, particularly in relation to Medicaid. They explore the unique issues in pediatric home care, the regulatory scrutiny surrounding documentation, and the importance of seeking the right help in navigating the complexities of the industry. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of home care and the need for providers to stay informed and connected to succeed.TakeawaysThe home care industry is experiencing significant changes and scrutiny.Hospice care is facing increased regulatory oversight and scrutiny.COVID-19 has had lasting financial impacts on home care providers.Many providers are struggling with rising costs and stagnant revenues post-COVID.Pediatric home care faces unique challenges, including documentation issues.Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, particularly in Medicaid and hospice care.Providers need to be aware of the importance of accurate documentation.There is a need for specialized help in navigating the complexities of home care.Networking and community engagement are crucial for success in the industry.The home care landscape is constantly evolving, requiring adaptability from providers.Chapters00:00 Current State of the Home Care Industry03:28 Scrutiny and Changes in Hospice Care08:07 Impact of COVID-19 on Home Care Finances12:39 Challenges in Home Health and Medicaid15:31 Unique Issues in Pediatric Home Care20:54 Regulatory Scrutiny and Documentation Challenges26:10 Navigating the Evolving Home Care Landscapehomecareexperience.comA Riot Frequency Podcast Network Production https://theriotfrequency.transistor.fm/ (00:00) - Current State of the Home Care Industry (03:28) - Scrutiny and Changes in Hospice Care (08:07) - Impact of COVID-19 on Home Care Finances (12:39) - Challenges in Home Health and Medicaid (15:31) - Unique Issues in Pediatric Home Care (20:54) - Regulatory Scrutiny and Documentation Challenges (26:10) - Navigating the Evolving Home Care Landscape
In the inaugural episode of the Home Care Experience podcast, hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks share their extensive backgrounds in the home care industry, discussing their motivations for starting the podcast and the insights they hope to share. They emphasize the importance of community, the challenges faced in home care and hospice, and the need for agility in operations. The conversation also touches on the evolution of regulations, the significance of building relationships, and the lessons learned from past mistakes. The hosts express their excitement for future episodes and the potential to bring more voices into the conversation.TakeawaysAmy and Troy have extensive experience in the home care industry.The podcast aims to share insights and foster community.Home care is a powerful industry that benefits patients.Agility is crucial for success in home care operations.Building relationships is key in the home care sector.Learning from mistakes can provide valuable lessons.Texas has a strong home care community that leads the way.The hosts plan to feature guests and share diverse stories.Regulations in home care are constantly evolving.The podcast will be both entertaining and informative.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Home Care Experience Podcast02:52 Foundations of Home Care: Personal Stories and Insights06:05 The Importance of Community in Home Care08:50 Navigating Challenges in Home Care and Hospice12:09 The Evolution of Home Care Regulations14:56 Agility in Home Care Operations18:13 Building Relationships in the Home Care Industry21:00 Learning from Mistakes: Cautionary Tales23:53 Future Plans for the Podcast (00:00) - Introduction to the Home Care Experience Podcast (02:52) - Foundations of Home Care: Personal Stories and Insights (06:05) - The Importance of Community in Home Care (08:50) - Navigating Challenges in Home Care and Hospice (12:09) - The Evolution of Home Care Regulations (14:56) - Agility in Home Care Operations (18:13) - Building Relationships in the Home Care Industry (21:00) - Learning from Mistakes: Cautionary Tales (23:53) - Future Plans for the Podcast
🎙️ Introducing The Home Care Experience with T&A—a podcast that goes beyond the surface to explore the real stories, challenges, and insights from the home care and hospice industry.In this teaser, get a glimpse of what’s to come as hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks bring their expertise, humor, and candid conversations to the mic. From navigating the complexities of caregiving to industry-changing insights, we’re here to share knowledge and build community.🔹 Why do caregivers burn out—and how can they take care of themselves?🔹 What makes home care so unique compared to other healthcare settings?🔹 What stories and lessons do industry veterans and providers have to share?Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a caregiver, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, The Home Care Experience with T&A is your go-to source for real talk, expert advice, and engaging discussions.🎧 Subscribe now and join us for the journey—because home care is more than a job, it’s an experience.#HomeCarePodcast #CaregivingInsights #HealthcareHeroes #PodcastTeaser