AAHomecare Launches Continuing Education Survey

• By Laurie Watanabe
• Sep 07, 2023

The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has launched a survey aimed at improving educational opportunities in the home medical equipment (HME) industry.

In a Sept. 6 bulletin to stakeholders, AAHomecare said it understands that HME businesses “grapple with inflation, supply chain issues, increasing customer expectations, evolving technology and staffing challenges. There is a broad need for continuing education in the HME community. The Association is launching a survey for the HME industry to learn what educational tracks would be most beneficial to a company’s livelihood and operations.”

Multiple people from a company can take the survey, whose results “will help shape the curriculum featuring respected thought leaders from the HME industry and beyond, addressing pressing concerns that impact businesses and the bottom line,” the announcement said.

The survey asks what external resources (e.g., tradeshows, online courses) businesses are currently using for education and training; whether staff members are competent in areas such as technical expertise on the products sold by the company, contracting processes, intake/customer service, and preventing claims-related issues; and how willing companies are to use resources such as training for staff positions, and coaching/training managers.

Additional questions ask about industry advocacy, which departments within the companies could benefit from training, and the preferred ways to receive training, such as in-person events, on-demand online presentations, and live Webinars.

In explaining why the survey was created, AAHomecare President/CEO Tom Ryan said, “In a recent Industry survey, nearly 250 HME professionals nationwide shared business pain points revealing critical challenges impacting business operations, personnel, payer dynamics, and claims-related issues. The Association hears you and is responding with a more robust educational platform to tackle these issues. We welcome the HME community’s input.”

The survey closes on Wed., Sept. 20.