HEALTHCAREfirst Press Releases

Ozark, Mo. – December 6, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the pioneer of Web-based software and services for home care, is pleased to announce that 38 customers have recently been named to the list of top 500 home health providers in the 2012 HomeCare EliteTM list, a compilation of the most successful home care providers in the nation. Of the 38 customers that were chosen as a top-500 provider, seven were further identified as part of the top 100 providers nationwide.

“We would like to congratulate our HEALTHCAREfirst customers who have been recognized as the top performing agencies in the country,” said Bobby Robertson, President and CEO of HEALTHCAREfirst. “We are proud to be a part of their success and are committed to continuing to enable them to put patients before paperwork.”

Presented by National Research Corporation and DecisionHealth and using publicly available data from Home Health Compare and the CMS Cost Reports, the list identifies the top 25 percent of agencies in five domains of performance: quality of care, quality improvement, patient experience (HHCAHPS), process measure implementation and financial performance.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – October 31, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the pioneer of web-based software and services for home care, today announced that Selina Quandahl and Myra Clark have been chosen as the recipients of the 2012 Compassionfirst Award.

The award recipients each receive a $500 cash prize as well as recognition by HEALTHCAREfirst at the 2012 National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) Annual Meeting and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Clinical Team Conference.

Selina Quandahl, the recipient of the Compassionfirst Award for her dedication to home health care, works as a registered nurse for Winneshiek County Public Health Nursing Service in Decorah, IA. According to Krista Vanden Brink, Agency Administrator, “I cannot think of a more compassionate, dedicated nurse who provides simply some of the very best caregiving to her clients and her family.”

Myra Clark, the recipient of the Compassionfirst Award for her work in hospice care, is the Clinical Manager for Mount Carmel Hospice and Palliative Care in Columbus, OH. “As a clinician, a mentor, a coach and manager, Myra has the tenacity and fearlessness in developing programs, leading teams, mentoring staff and helping people leave this world with the same sense of peace and love that most experienced when they entered,” said Lori Yosick, Executive Director.

HEALTHCAREfirst also announced the 2012 Compassionfirst Award finalists: James Vearil, Occupational Therapist at PHC Home Health in Charleston, SC was honored for his commitment to home health care and Joe Turnell, a hospice volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospice in Watkinsville, GA was awarded for his dedication to hospice care.

The Compassionfirst Award is presented to the Home Health or Hospice caregiver who goes above and beyond what is required and regularly shows genuine kindness, dedication and compassion when caring for others.

HEALTHCAREfirst has highlighted the stories of both the winners and finalists on its website, www.healthcarefirst.com.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, business intelligence analytics, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – September 28, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of Web-based home health and hospice technologies and services, announced new testimonial videos of customers spotlighting their successes with a variety of HEALTHCAREfirst products.

The videos are now available on HEALTHCAREfirst’s website, www.healthcarefirst.com. Users discuss products such as firstHOMECARE and firstHOSPICE, explaining the many ways they have been able to streamline operations and maintain focus on patients, not paperwork.

“We were delighted at the response we received when asking our customers for feedback on their experiences with HEALTHCAREfirst products,” commented Bobby Robertson, President and CEO of HEALTHCAREfirst. “Their testimonials strengthen our commitment to continually increase their competitive advantage and success.”

Video testimonials were obtained at the 2012 HEALTHCAREfirst User Conference, an annual gathering of HEALTHCAREfirst product users from around the United States. “We are pleased with the number of customers who wanted to tell others about their satisfaction with HEALTHCAREfirst’s Web-based products,” explained David Garcia, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “We look forward to talking with even more customers in the future as we continue to grow and enhance our products and services.”

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge, Web-based solutions that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting and billing and coding services that enable caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – August 21, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of Web-based home health and hospice technologies and services, today announced that it has been named to the 2012 Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies for the fifth year in a row. With the company's fifth consecutive placement on the Inc. 5000 list, HEALTHCAREfirst also earned a place on the Inc. 5000 Honor Roll, reserved for those companies that have appeared on the list five or more times.

Headquartered in Ozark, Missouri, with offices in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and St. Paul, Minnesota, HEALTHCAREfirst came in at #1032 on the prestigious list, with a 307% three-year growth rate. Additionally, the company ranked #78 on the list of fastest growing health companies nationwide.

“We are honored to be named to Inc. Magazine’s 5000 list,” said HEALTHCAREfirst President and CEO Bobby Robertson. “The tremendous growth we have experienced over the past several years is a result of the hard work of our talented staff combined with our innovative products and services. We are proud of the progress we have made and look forward to continued growth in the future.”

HEALTHCAREfirst joins Yelp, yogurt maker Chobani, Giftcards.com, KIND and famed hatmaker Tilly’s, among other prominent brands featured on this year’s list. In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2012 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 97%. The companies on this year’s list report having created over 400,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $299 billion.

“Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500|5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs and drive the economy forward. Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is, “says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/5000.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge, Web-based solutions that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting and billing and coding services that enable caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – August 6, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the pioneer of Web-based software and services for home health and hospice, today announced that nominations are currently being accepted for the second annual Compassionfirst Award.

The Compassionfirst Award is presented to the Home Health or Hospice caregiver who goes above and beyond what is required and regularly shows genuine kindness, dedication and compassion when caring for others. “There are so many caregivers who deserve recognition for all they do each and every day. This is our way of saying thank you to those who devote their lives to caring for others in their homes,” says Bobby Robertson, President & CEO of HEALTHCAREfirst.

HEALTHCAREfirst will select two award recipients: one home health caregiver and one hospice caregiver. Each will receive a $500 cash prize, along with recognition at the National Association for Home Care and Hospice Annual Meeting and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Clinical Team Conference. In addition, the recipients will be featured on HEALTHCAREfirst’s website and corporate newsletter.

Nominations will be accepted at HEALTHCAREfirst’s website, www.healthcarefirst.com, until September 14, 2012.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge, Web-based solutions that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting and billing and coding services that enable caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – July 17, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the pioneer of Web-based software and services for home health and hospice, today announced that The Denver Hospice has selected firstHOSPICE, the industry’s leading Web-based hospice software solution, to streamline operations and improve patient care.

Headquartered in Denver, CO, The Denver Hospice is Colorado’s leader in hospice and palliative care, providing care to more than 60,000 patients since its founding in 1978. firstHOSPICE will be used by more than 400 of The Denver Hospice’s clinical, administrative and support staff, enabling them to provide the best possible care by putting patients before paperwork.

“The Denver Hospice is excited to partner with HEALTHCAREfirst. Not only will it mean greater employee satisfaction but the new software will improve our ability to better care for our patients,” said Dale Anders, Chief Information Officer for The Denver Hospice. “HEALTHCAREfirst’s ability to securely host our data will increase our application availability, and the application itself will reduce our documentation time and improve the quality of the data we collect."

“As a leader in hospice and palliative care, The Denver Hospice is committed to providing compassionate and comforting care at the end of life,” said Bobby Robertson, President and CEO of HEALTHCAREfirst. “We are dedicated to ensure their continued success and look forward to working closely with them to achieve their goals and put patients before paperwork.”

For more information about HEALTHCAREfirst’s revenue cycle management services, please call 800.841.6095 or email sales@healthcarefirst.com.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge, Web-based solutions that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting and billing and coding services that enable caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – July 16, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the pioneer of Web-based software and services for Home Care, announced at the National Association for Home Care and Hospice’s Financial Management Conference the release of their new billing services program integrated with Web-based revenue cycle analytics.

Available now as a component of HEALTHCAREfirst’s billing services, Revenue Intelligence analytics provide complete, up-to-date insight into the status of Medicare claims on demand. This management level view of claims data is a powerful tool that also enables management to identify hidden trends in revenue performance, allowing proactive steps to be taken towards complete revenue cycle management and increased margins.

“As home health agencies continue to experience growing financial pressures, managing the revenue cycle is more important than ever,” said Bobby Robertson, President and CEO for HEALTHCAREfirst. “We are excited about layering this insightful and real time analytical engine into the provision of our outsourced billing services to allow our customers to immediately identify missed revenue opportunities, react to revenue performance trends and get paid faster. No other provider offers this level of intelligence for home health businesses.”

For more information about HEALTHCAREfirst’s revenue cycle management services, please call 800.841.6095 or email sales@healthcarefirst.com.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge, Web-based solutions that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting and billing and coding services that enable caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – June 15, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the pioneer of Web-based software and services for Home Care, today announced that it has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal for its "2012 Business Class Award."

Headquartered in Ozark, Missouri, HEALTHCAREfirst was one of five recipients of the award chosen among companies based in southwest Missouri. The 2012 Business Class award was presented by Springfield Business Journal, UMB Bank, BKD LLP and Lathrop & Gage LLP and honors companies for achievement in financial performance, industry innovation, leadership and community involvement.

“We are delighted to be recognized by the Springfield Business Journal for the contributions we have made to the local economy and community,” said HEALTHCAREfirst President and CEO Bobby Robertson. “HEALTHCAREfirst is proud to be based in southwest Missouri and is grateful to our community for providing us with such hardworking, dedicated and caring employees.”

Springfield Business Journal is a weekly publication offering comprehensive business news for southwest Missouri. A special publication will be produced in June recognizing the award winners.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge, Web-based solutions that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting and billing and coding services that enable caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – May 31, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst , Inc., the leading provider of Home Health and Hospice technologies and services, announced today that it is hosting a free webinar for Hospice agencies about Hospice Quality Reporting.

The webinar, “Your Guide to Hospice Quality Reporting” will cover what types of data CMS will be looking to collect once the required reporting begins in October, 2012; including the measures that will be used for Q4 2012 reporting, NQF #0209 and the anticipated required reporting elements, calculation of the Comfort Measure Score and the penalties associated with non-participation.

The 45-minute webinar will be held on June 6, 2012 at 10:30 am CT. The webinar is open to all Hospice agencies and others interested in learning more about what to expect in the future of Hospice Quality Reporting.

For information about attending this free webinar, or to register, please visit HEALTHCAREfirst’s blog at blog.healthcarefirst.com or call 800.841.6095.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – March 26, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst , Inc., the leading provider of home health care and hospice technologies and services, announced today that it is joining members of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) for the annual March on Washington & Law Symposium Conference & Exposition. This event unites home health and hospice nurses, aides, providers and supporters together to ask Congress to protect and expand access to home care and hospice services.

The conference, held March 25-28, 2012, addresses topics including health care legislation, policy, advocacy and regulatory matters as well as tips on using technology to exchange data and coordinate care. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to visit with members of Congress and talk with their staff members who assist in making health policy decisions.

“We are proud to join so many from around the nation in making the voices of home health and hospice providers, patients and supporters heard. We have a lot of work to do to ensure that Americans will be able to continue to receive cost-effective, quality care in their homes. Home care is, and will continue to be, an essential part of the health care industry,” says Bobby Robertson, President and CEO.

According to NAHC, “The annual march comes at a time when the Medicare home care benefit which was $17 billion in 2009 has been cut by $77 billion over the next ten years. As a result of these cuts about 50 percent of all Medicare participating agencies will be under water in 2012 — that is, paid less than their costs by Medicare, even though home care and hospice is more cost effective, saving billions in Medicare expenditures.”

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – March 21, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst , Inc.,the leading provider of home health care and hospice technologies and services, announced today that it is sponsoring a free webinar with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the Home Care Technology Association of America (HCTAA).

The webinar, “Home Care Health IT Success: Improving Access and Providing Quality Care in Rural Communities” will discuss the ways in which home care and hospice providers are utilizing technology to deliver patient-centered care in rural and underserved communities. Featured speakers include Neal Neuberger, Executive Director for the Institute for E-Health Policy and Richard Brennan, Executive Director of HCTAA.

The 60-minute webinar will be held on April 4, 2012 at 11:00 am ET. The webinar is open to all home care and hospice agencies. Content will be targeted to executives and managers.

For information about attending this free webinar, or to register, please visit HEALTHCAREfirst’s blog at http://blog.healthcarefirst.com/ or call 800.841.6095.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – February 2, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of web-based Home Healthcare and Hospice technologies, today announced the release of a native mobile application for iPhone, iPad and Android. Designed for firstHOMECARE and firstHOSPICE Enterprise users, the new app gives clinicians yet another option to stay connected in the field.

Available at no charge to our customers, the new app offers mobile access to key components of the software including alerts, scheduling and secure instant messaging. As a result of this easy access, Home Health and Hospice agencies will enjoy the benefits of improved compliance, better efficiency and the flexibility to choose the point of care devices that work best for them.

"We understand the needs, challenges and priorities of Home Health and Hospice clinicians caring for patients in the field. While this free app is beneficial for any clinician, imagine contract staff, like therapy, having the ability to download a free iPhone or Android app to their existing smartphone, gaining immediate access to schedules, alerts and other communications regarding patients you've assigned to them," said Bobby Robertson, President and CEO for HEALTHCAREfirst. "We are pleased to be able to offer this app at no charge and are already hard at work innovating future versions to include even more functionality and features."

The mobile application is available now to customers for free download through Android Market and iTunes Store. For more information, please contact HEALTHCAREfirst at 800.841.6095.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, business intelligence reporting, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ozark, Mo. – January 16, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of home health care and hospice technologies and services, announced today that it will host its 2012 User Conference on April 23 – 25, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas.

HEALTHCAREfirst customers will have the opportunity to participate in sessions dedicated to maximizing the performance and usefulness of their firstHOMECARE, firstHOSPICE, Patron, Prompt, and CareFacts software solutions. They will also have the opportunity to attend sessions designed to help them be successful in 2012.

Session topics include, “Taking AIM: Finding Your Way Through Hospice Quality Measure Reporting” and “Preparing for ICD-10: Will You Be Ready?” In addition, new to the conference this year, HEALTHCAREfirst will be offering pre-conference product sessions designed to provide more in-depth training on the software solutions, as well as a golf tournament at The Quarry Golf Club.

“We are very excited about bringing our customers together to discuss and prepare for the future of home health and hospice. Our products lead the way in a rapidly changing health care environment, and our customers are a valuable part of ensuring continued success,” says Bobby Robertson, President and CEO.

For more information about attending the 2012 User Conference, or to become a conference sponsor, visit the HEALTHCAREfirst website, www.healthcarefirst.com or contact Claire Potter at claire.potter@healthcarefirst.com or 800.841.6095.

Ozark, Mo. – January 9, 2012 – HEALTHCAREfirst, provider of leading-edge home healthcare and hospice technologies, today announced that President and CEO Bobby Robertson has been invited to attend the 2012 Home Care & Hospice Strategic Planning Congress held by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC).

The Congress, to be held on February 2-3, 2012 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida brings together the most influential people in the homecare and hospice community to develop a strategic plan and legislative priorities for the year. Critical issues affecting all aspects of the industry will be reviewed and key recommendations will be developed by the Panel.

“It is an incredible opportunity to represent the thousands of Home Care and Hospice caregivers that I have had the privilege of working with over the last seventeen years. The face of home care is changing and I am honored to voice my thoughts and ideas for our future on behalf of not only HEALTHCAREfirst customers, but the industry as a whole,” says Bobby Robertson.

About HEALTHCAREfirst

HEALTHCAREfirst provides leading-edge technologies that improve business and clinical functions to over 1,200 home health care and hospice agencies across the United States. HEALTHCAREfirst was one of the first home health care software vendors to recognize the industry’s need for high quality software applications that are accessible over the internet. Based in Ozark, Mo and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides clients with web-available agency management software, electronic medical record software, revenue cycle management software, business intelligence reporting, billing services and coding services that ensure technology is not a barrier to patient care, but a powerful tool. HEALTHCAREfirst allows caregivers to focus on patients instead of paperwork. For more information call 800.841.6095 or visit the company’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com.