Archive: July 2002
American HomePatient dumps Arthur Andersen
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - American HomePatient dumped Arthur Andersen as its accountant in mid June and is in the process of finding a replacement, according to filings with the Security and Exchange Commission. During the two-and-a-half years the companies worked together, there were no disagreements on accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedures. Andersen's audited reports on AHP's consolidated financial statements contained no adverse opinions...
Dole continues campaign to soften 'homebound' definition
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A passionate plea from Bob Dole to the House of Representatives to soften the "homebound" definition as part of its Medicare bill did little to inspire members, who recently passed a bill focusing on prescription drugs and competitive bidding.
"Hopefully, there are more rational people in the Senate," said Henry Claypool, co-founder and co-director of HalfthePlanet, a non-profit organization representing people with disabilities.
Dole, a former Senate majority leader and 1996 candidate...
"We need to position ourselves as healthcare professionals, not retail merchants, which anybody can be."
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
Tom Antone had planned to retire May 17.
But as you might expect from a lawyer who spent many years working 12- and 14-hour days representing home medical equipment providers and other healthcare companies, getting out on time is easier said than done. Antone officially pulled down his shingle June 30, closing, for the most part, a legal career that included serving as assistant secretary for health legislation at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and a stint as president...
Power wheelchairs
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
Permobil
C2K Corpus - Drive: front
- Size: 43 x 26 x 40 inches
- Weight capacity: 220-265 pounds
- Top speed: 5 mph
- Turning radius: 26 inches
- Range on full charge: 19-25 miles
- Special feature: independent suspension for each wheel
- Warranty: 2 years
C.T.M
HS-5600 - Drive: rear
- Size: 38.7 inches x 24 inches x 45.3 inches
- Weight capacity: 350 pounds
- Top speed: 5 mph
- Range on full charge: 25 miles
- Special feature: Swing-away, joystick controller
- Warranty: 36 months for frame; 12 months...
After 25 years, Janet Sahr calls it quits
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
BOSTON - After 25 years as arguably the First Lady of HME, Janet Sahr called it quits recently and retired, a year after selling her $20-plus million company Home Care Supply. Sahr started Medi-Rents with two partners in 1977.
During her career, she served on the Region A DMERC council and as president of the New England Medical Equipment Dealers Association (NEMED). She was the first and only chair of NAMES (now AAHomecare), which recently gave her a Lifetime Achievement award.
Sahr stayed on...
Stock picker: Lincare looks good
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
CLEARWATER, Fla. - While potential cuts to Medicare Part B raise red flags for some stock analysts following Lincare, that's not the case for stock picker Rich Moroney.
According to Moroney: "Probably the biggest risk facing Lincare is the company's exposure to Medicare-reimbursed respiratory medications, which comprise about 20% of sales. Some reduction is expected in the reimbursement rates that Medicare provides for Part B, drugs. While Lincare's management does not expect Congress to act this...
Judge's CB ruling gives Florida HMEs reason to hope
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Central Medical Equipment Rentals has asked the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in a six-page protest to return the three bids it awarded the company for its competitive bidding project. Or else, Central Medical will take AHCA to court.
AHCA had initially released a "notice of intent to award" bids to the Coral Gables, Fla.-based Central Medical for regions 9, 10 and 11. Just hours after the notice was released, however, AHCA suspended the awards, and weeks later,...
Payers adopt codes for home infusion services
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - HME providers are hoping standardized HCPCS codes for home infusion services now used by private payers will boil over to Medicare. Private payers began adopting the new codes, which include reimbursement for products and services, Jan. 1, according to Lorrie Kline Kaplan, executive director of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA). "This recognition that home infusion is more than just products in an important first step," she said. "Hopefully, this will provide a precedent...
Sleep
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
ResMed enhances Sleep Track program
SAN DIEGO - ResMed enhanced its reputation as a business partner to sleep providers in late June when it enhanced its SleepTrack program. Originally designed as an outcomes management software, the program now includes modules in operations, marketing, education and diagnostics.
"We're trying to support the DME dealer from a number of different angles," said Ron Richard, ResMed's v.p. of marketing. "We're now doing a lot more on how to market your business to...
Consultant fabricates $30M in VA business, Rotech says
July 31, 2002HME News Staff
ORLANDO, Fla. - A rogue consultant at Rotech Healthcare allegedly lined his pockets with greenbacks - or intended to - by concocting an elaborate swindle that fabricated $30 million in non-existent sales of DME to the Veteran's Affairs.
The company's investigation is ongoing, but it appears the VA was never billed for any of the equipment and that Rotech was the only victim in the scheme, which took place over about 18 months, stretching back to late 2000, said Rotech CEO Steve Linehan.
The $30...