In brief: Parachute teams with Brightree, ResMed wins in court

NEW YORK and ATLANTA ­- Parachute Health's e-prescribing platform will be integrated into Brightree's cloud-based software, improving the ordering and fulfillment process for HME providers, the two companies say.

The integration means providers will be able to connect orders received from Parachute's e-prescribing platform directly into Brightree's claim management/billing software, reducing costs and increasing revenues, according to an announcement.

“This relationship will solve multiple pain points for HME providers and referring physicians alike, such as gaining efficiencies through automation, reduced paperwork and improved overall patient care,” said Nick Knowlton, vice president of business development at Brightree.

Prior to the integration, providers had to manually send and process orders and related documentation, and communicate via phone or email with their referral sources, according to the announcement.

Post-integration, providers will be able to connect digitally with referral facilities, allowing them to online chat with their referral sources and provide them with automated delivery status updates.

“The unmatched connectivity that Brightree offers, combined with Parachute's intuitive system, creates a seamless, end-to-end experience for healthcare facilities to fulfill any order,” said David Gelbard, CEO and founder of Parachute Health.

PlayMaker, Brightree integrate for improved CRM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Referral data from Brightree will be seamlessly integrated into PlayMaker as the result of a new strategic relationship between the two companies. The result: “powerful performance analytics to inform strategic decision-making,” according to a press release. “Providers know the key to remaining competitive and surviving in today's volatile market lies in their ability to access the right business intelligence,” said John Griscavage, CEO of PlayMaker Health. “We are fortunate to partner with them and empower post-acute organizations with the market, referral and sales intelligence they need to support strategic growth initiatives and drive profitability.” PlayMaker combines in-depth and timely market and referral data with customer relationship management tools to improve visibility and market performance for post-acute care providers.

ResMed wins in German court

SAN DIEGO - A trial court ruling from the Munich District Court says the headgear used on two CPAP masks from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare—the Simplus full-face and Eson nasal—infringes a ResMed patent in Germany. In a separate decision, the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office had already stated the patent asserted against F&P is valid, according to a press release from ResMed. F&P may appeal both decisions. Earlier this year, ResMed filed a new petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking an order banning the import and sale of F&P's Simplus full-face, Eson nasal and Eson 2 nasal masks for allegedly infringing on five ResMed patents related to masks system and cushion design. F&P countered with its own complaint with the ITC, seeking an exclusion order to prevent the import and sale in the United States of ResMed's AirFit P10, AirFit P10 for Her and AirFit P10 for AirMini masks for allegedly infringing five F&P patents.

NSM expands in metro NYC area

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating & Mobility has acquired Rehabco in Bronx, N.Y. Five ATPs will transition to NSM and the location will also serve as a centralized service and repair center, according to a press release. “Rehabco has been a respected provider of rehab services in the community for more than 40 years,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO in a press release. “We are proud to welcome this experienced group to NSM.” NSM also has branches in the metro New York area in Garden City, Plainview and Fairfield, N.J.; and branches in Albany and Buffalo, N.Y.

Cooley Medical settles allegations

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Cooley Medical Equipment has agreed to pay more than $5.2 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by misrepresenting the ingredients it used in certain compounded medical creams. The Prestonburg, Ky.-based provider previously operated a pharmacy that made compounded creams and billed government insurers like Medicare, Kentucky Medicaid, Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Health Administration for them. Instead of obtaining the required prior authorizations to use bulk powder forms of Lidocaine and Prilocaine, the company falsely stated the creams were made with cream-based ingredients. Cooley Medical self-disclosed this to the U.S. Attorney's Office, took steps to resolve the problem and no longer operates a compounding pharmacy.

Specialty Rx group names Jose Domingos to board

CARY, N.C. - The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) has named Jose Domingos, president and CEO of the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), to its board of directors. ACHC, which launched a Pharmacy Accreditation program in 1996, has more than 900 pharmacies accredited in the United States. “Jose joins a diverse group of experienced and accomplished healthcare veterans tasked with elevating the practice of specialty pharmacy, promoting the education and certification of specialty pharmacists, and advocating for public policies that ensure patients have appropriate access to specialty medications and receive high quality, high touch patient care and support services,” said Sheila Arquette, executive director of NASP. NASP, whose members include independent specialty pharmacies, has more than 100 corporate members and 1,200 individual members.

CareCentrix re-ups accreditation

HARTFORD, Conn. - CareCentrix has earned URAC accreditation in health utilization management, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to quality care, improved processes and better patient outcomes, according to a press release. “The accreditation recognizes our commitment to patients, providers and payers, and inspires us to continue to build a better healthcare system that recognizes the value of home care, and delivers reduced costs of care and lower readmissions through the use of innovative technology,” said John Driscoll, CEO. CareCentrix has held the accreditation since 2009. The company connects patients with the care they need at home, including home health, DME, home infusion and sleep and care management services, through a network of more than 8,000 credentialed provider locations.

New leadership: Fisher & Paykel, BioScrip

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has appointed Lyndal York CFO. She will join the company in March 2019 and will report to CEO Lewis Gradon. York is currently CFO at Asaleo Care, a Melbourne, Australia-based company that manufactures, markets, distributes and sells consumer products across the feminine care, incontinence care, baby care, consumer tissue and professional hygiene product categories. York replaces long-time CFO Tony Barclay, who retired in May. Andrea Blackie will continue serving as acting CFO until York joins the company, then she will resume her role as general manager-finance…BioScrip has appointed John McMahon vice president, controller and chief accounting officer. McMahon is a certified public accountant with more than 25 years of accounting and finance experience. His prior experience includes chief financial officer at Heska Corp. and corporate controller at Advanced Energy Industries.

Pride, Quantum mentor students

DURYEA, Pa. - Pride Mobility Products and Quantum Rehab hosted a mentoring day for students with disabilities at a company facility on Oct. 18, as part of Disability Mentoring Day. Participants met with professionals to learn about typical job responsibilities, and the knowledge and skills needed for specific vocations. They also toured the production area and saw a new, expanded test lab. “Our plan is to continue to be a very friendly company,” said Scott Meuser, chairman and CEO, in a press release. “We're always trying to make products that make a difference in people's lives.”