In brief: CMS repeats timeline, Air Products gives up

BALTIMORE - The Open Door Forum last week offered little in the way of an update on competitive bidding. CMS officials just reiterated their timeline for registering to participate in the program (Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. EST), and opening and closing the bid window (Jan. 30 and March 30, respectively). CMS officials also reminded listeners that there are educational webcasts available at www.dmecompetitivebid.com. Upcoming webcasts will cover how to submit financial documentation and how to submit a bid online. The next forum: Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. EST.

Air Products gives up on homecare in Europe

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. - Air Products announced Jan. 9 that it's selling its homecare business in Belgium, Germany, France, Portugal and Spain to The Linde Group. The total purchase price for Air Products' continental Europe homecare business: 590 million euros ($749.9 million). The sale includes Air Products' oxygen therapy, sleep therapy and infusion therapy services. The patient base: 260,000. The revenue: about 210 million euros ($266.9 million) last year. "With the more recent trends toward concentrators and non-oxygen therapies, we feel it is no longer a natural fit with our core gases business," stated Chairman, President and CEO John McGlade. Air Products is also assessing its options for its remaining homecare interests in the UK, Ireland, Argentina and Brazil.

Sanomedics to make second buy in DME industry

MIAMI - Sanomedics has its eyes on a second durable medical equipment provider that specializes in sleep treatment devices and services. The company, which manufactures and distributes baby and pet thermometers, has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire a growing East Coast provider with revenue of more than $2 million. In December, Sanomedics announced that it had signed a letter of intent to acquire a DME provider on the West Coast that specializes in sleep.

K0823 error rate: 88%

WASHINGTON - The K0823 error rate from Oct. 8, 2011, to Jan. 7, 2012, in Jurisdiction D was 88%, CMS has reported. The rate is slightly down from a 90% error rate reported for the code from July 2011 to October 2011. Top reasons for denial included insufficient medical records submitted to justify medical necessity; and required documentation not submitted in full or not complete.

GMEA acquires Allen Medical

PHOENIX - Global Medical Equipment of America (GMEA) announced last week that it has acquired Allen Medical Supply in Opelousas, La. Allen Medical Supply offers durable medical and respiratory equipment, power wheelchairs and orthotics. It's the third acquisition in as many months for GMEA. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.