News
AAHomecare: Fly-in can be ‘difference maker’
May 10, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry leaders are headed to Capitol Hill on May 15 to “rile up” lawmakers on the need to pass legislation extending 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rates in non-rural areas.
While the industry’s efforts to pass reimbursement reform have received bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, the blended rates have not been included in recent spending bills.
“We've continued to talk to House and Senate leadership in the committees,...
Ryan Wood on the ‘automation race’ in cybersecurity
May 10, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Ryan Wood, VGM Group’s new chief information security officer, believes health care companies, as a general rule, need to “assume compromise” in the wake of the Change Healthcare cyberattack.
“Without knowing the specifics of the Change Healthcare cyberattack, I think we should be leaning on building our cyber program and infrastructure for resilience, rather than being focused on backup and recovery,” said Wood, a recent guest on the...
In brief: SoCal’s new ‘powerful platform,’ Vertess’ recognition, WHILL’s growth
May 10, 2024HME News Staff
TUSTIN, Calif. – SG Homecare, a provider of HME and supplies, has acquired Western Drug Medical Supply, creating a platform to scale in Southern California.
The combined entity has more than $150 million in annual revenue and more than 500 employees.
"This is a transformative moment for both SG Homecare and Western Drug Medical Supply," said Jay Wendt, CEO, SG Homecare. "We're committed to a seamless integration, fostering a powerful platform for growth....
In brief: Proposed cath changes, PromptCare deal & more
May 8, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has proposed discontinuing two existing HCPCS codes for intermittent urinary catheters, A4351 and A4352, and establishing five new codes in response to a request from AAHomecare and its manufacturer members.
The agency stated that it does not see a claims processing need to discontinue or modify existing HCPCS code A4353, “Intermittent urinary catheter, with insertion supplies.”
“CMS believes that clinical evidence and current payer policies...
In brief: UHC’s new capitated arrangement, NCPA’s cyberattack request
May 3, 2024HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS – UnitedHealthcare has entered into a capitated arrangement with Synapse Health for standard DME in Georgia and North Carolina for its Medicare Advantage plan members enrolled in HMO and PPO plans.
The change, announced on UHC’s website on May 1, is effective Aug. 1.
DME providers will need to join the Synapse Health network to continue to provide standard DME for these plan members. Synapse Health will reach out to providers with details about joining...
In brief: Walgreens creates new pharmacy biz, CQRC contributes to hearing, OIG contacts CGM providers
May 1, 2024HME News Staff
DEERFIELD, Ill. – AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy will become Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy effective Aug.1, 2024, in a move that Walgreens says will expand care for patients with complex, chronic conditions.
Walgreens will now have nearly 300 community-based specialty pharmacies nationwide, with more than 1,500 specialty-trained pharmacists, 5,000 patient advocacy support team members and dedicated Specialty360 teams that support all specialty conditions and therapies.
“With...
OIG contacts providers for CGM cost study
April 30, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Office of Inspector General has begun sending emails and letters to a select group of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) suppliers as part of an evaluation for its study "Medicare Payments Compared to the Prices Available to Consumers and Suppliers for Continuous Glucose Monitors and Sensors," AAHomecare reports.
This study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of Medicare payments in comparison to the supplier’s acquisition costs and other prices available...
In brief: Cyberattack update, PBM reform, Medicaid hearing
April 26, 2024HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS – Change Healthcare says it has made “strong progress” restoring services impacted by a cyberattack in February.
In the April 22 update, Change Healthcare said that medical claims across the U.S. health system are moving at near-normal levels, as systems come back online or providers switch to other methods of submission. The company said it realizes there are a small number of providers who continue to be adversely impacted and it is working with them to find...
Cyberattack: Change Healthcare provides status update
April 25, 2024HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Change Healthcare said in an update this week that it has made “strong progress” restoring services impacted by a cyberattack in February.
In the April 22 update, Change Healthcare said that medical claims across the U.S. health system are moving at near-normal levels, as systems come back online or providers switch to other methods of submission. The company said it realizes there are a small number of providers who continue to be adversely impacted...
In brief: Exec changes at OM & Inogen, cyberattack impact at Option Care
April 24, 2024HME News Staff
RICHMOND, Va. – Owens & Minor has announced that Dan Starck, executive vice president of business excellence, has informed the company he is retiring on May 17, 2024.
Richmond, Va.-based OM made the announcement in a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16.
Starck became part of OM’s executive leadership team when the company acquired Apria Healthcare in 2022 for about $1.45 billion, expanding its Patient Direct business unit.
In...