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CMS announces flexibilities for Medicaid 

March 18, 2024HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – CMS has announced additional flexibilities to help state Medicaid programs provide needed relief to providers and protect access to health coverage after the cyberattack at Change Healthcare.  CMS is encouraging states to submit Medicaid state plan amendments (SPAs) for authority to make certain interim payments for services providers have rendered but for which the provider cannot submit claims. The agency has now released guidance on related flexibilities, including the...

Change Healthcare, Cyberattack, flexibilities, Medicaid


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Survey finds improving supply for CPAP devices 

March 18, 2024HME News Staff

NEW YORK – Respondents saw a 6% increase in sleep patient volume, on average, in the last 12 months, according to the HME Sleep and Oxygen Survey for the first quarter of 2024 from Needham and Co.  Respondents expect 6.5% growth in the next 12 months.  “We suspect that the increase is due to improving flow generator supply and HMEs engaging both new and backlogged patients that resulted from the Philips Respironics recall,” the report stated.  Other...

CPAP Device, Needham, Patient volume, Sleep Therapy


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ResMed assesses sleep landscape 

March 18, 2024HME News Staff

SAN DIEGO – Fifty-seven percent of respondents say they are aware of sleep apnea, but only 26% of them have been diagnosed with the condition, according to ResMed’s 2024 Global Sleep Survey.  People are becoming more curious about how they sleep, the survey found, with 36% of respondents tracking their sleep either through a smartphone app (44%) or wearable (31%).  “With sleep being the third pillar of health, alongside diet and exercise, prioritizing your sleep...

2024, Global Sleep Survey, ResMed, Sleep Apnea


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Cyberattack: ‘This just might be the final straw’

March 15, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine – The cyberattack on Change Healthcare has “crippled operations” for HME providers, according to the results of a recent HME Newspoll.   More than 95% of respondents to the poll reported that their cash flow has been impacted by a Feb. 21 cyberattack, which caused Change Healthcare to take its systems offline, affecting their ability to process claims.  “This has not just affected our company, but nearly crippled operations,” wrote...

Change Healthcare, Cyberattack, Home Medical Equipment (HME)


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Joshua Skora

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Medtrade preview: Joshua Skora on implementing a payer playbook

March 15, 2024Tracy Orzel

DALLAS - When it comes to payer relations, success depends on the strength of your relationships, says speaker Joshua Skora.  Here’s what Skora, a health care regulatory attorney with K&L Gates who will be speaking on a panel at Medtrade titled “Building Relationships with Payers,” had to say about how both parties can benefit from successful relationships.  HME News: What are the priorities of commercial payers?  Joshua Skora: Commercial payers are concerned...

Joshua Skora, Medtrade


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Avery Mullins

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Medtrade preview: Avery Mullins on marketing with intent

March 15, 2024Tracy Orzel

DALLAS - Marketing without a clear goal isn’t only ineffective, it’s a misuse of your time, says speaker Avery Mullins.  Here’s what Mullins, co-owner of Well+Defined, a digital marketing agency based in Fort Worth, Texas, who will be co-hosting the session, “Marketing Leadership Must Dos in 2024,” had to say about the marketing strategies that can help grow your business.  HME News: What are the latest trends in digital marketing?  Avery Mullins:...

Avery Mullins, Medtrade


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In brief: OCR investigation, NHIA recommendations, SuperCare pilot

March 15, 2024HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – The Office of Civil Rights, which administers and enforces HIPAA private, security and breach notification rules, has announced that it will investigate the cyberattack on Change Healthcare to determine whether patient health information was compromised.  The agency will also investigate whether Change Healthcare and UnitedHealth Group were compliant with HIPAA rules.  “We are committed to ensuring access to care, while enforcing laws that bolster patient...

Ascensia Diabetes Care, Change Healthcare, Cyberattack, National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), SuperCare Health


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OCR investigates Change Healthcare cyberattack

March 14, 2024HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – The Office of Civil Rights, which administers and enforces HIPAA private, security and breach notification rules, has announced that it will investigate the cyberattack on Change Healthcare to determine whether patient health information was compromised.  The agency will also investigate whether Change Healthcare and UnitedHealth Group were compliant with HIPAA rules.  “We are committed to ensuring access to care, while enforcing laws that bolster patient...

Change Healthcare, Cyberattack


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CMS joins roundtable on cyberattack

March 14, 2024HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure participated in a roundtable with senior administration leaders to hear from health care providers about the challenges they are facing following the cyberattack on Change Healthcare.  At the roundtable, CMS announced that it will be issuing guidance that will provide needed flexibilities to allow states to support Medicaid providers and suppliers during this time, particularly those operating in fee-for-service delivery systems.  “CMS...

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Cyberattack


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In brief: CMS makes advance payments, state AG sues Apria, OIG warns of cath scams 

March 13, 2024HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – CMS on March 9 made available Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) accelerated payments to Part A providers and advance payments to Part B suppliers experiencing claims disruptions.  The payments may be granted in amounts representative of up to 30 of claims payments to eligible providers and suppliers. The average 30-day payment is based on the total claims paid to the provider/supplier between Aug. 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2023, divided by three. These payments...

advance payments, Apria, Catheter, Change Healthcare, Cyberattack, Data Breach, Fraud


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