Live @ HCAOA—20-minute conversation with Michelle Cone, SVP of Industry Engagement at HomeWell Franchising, Inc.

• Michelle Cone on LinkedIn
• HomeWell Franchising 
• The investment that’s paid off in home care: 1) learning to lead with patience and 2) learning to play the long game
• Leading with patience:
  • Don’t scrap ideas or initiatives after a matter of weeks, give important things more time
    • Measure everything and make decisions off of quantity and quality 
  • Find mentors who embody patience and shadow them
  • Home care is reactive and we want to solve problems quickly, but give yourself time and space to think, reflect, and process issues accordingly 
  • Systematize ‘how you process’ as a leader, so you can improve over time
• Playing the long game:
  • In sales: building relationships, processes, and trust that lasts
  • In operations: short term goals, long term initiatives, and both require clear expectations and a plan of execution
  • Put in place: monthly, quarterly, annual, and 5-year goals
• Michelle’s personal mission: educating anyone and everyone on the impact and benefit of home care
• The time is now for home care—we’ve put in the work, time to double down on what’s working.
• Keeping an eye on CMS Guide Program in 2026. Partnered with PocketRN with a focus on reducing hospital readmissions.
• The 3-legged stool: non-medical, skilled, hospice > personal care pulling apart from companionship, palliative care taking on a bigger role > the nature and structure of home care is shifting 

Sponsors:

• Baba (callbaba.com): AI phone-based co-pilot for seniors to prevent loneliness, create support, and connect them with professionals 
• Paradigm (paradigmseniors.com): Credentialing, billing automation, and revenue cycle management for VA and Medicaid payments
• HomeSight (vantiva.com/homesight): TV-based wellness hub for blended care—video visits, health monitoring, and daily reminders for the family and care team