Archive: September 2002
Exclusive
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Scully stumps for competitive bidding
WASHINGTON - CMS Administrator Tom Scully is not one to mince words. His straight talk at Medtrade 2001 earned the Bush appointee a standing ovation from HME providers who liked his candor, liked his style and liked that Bruce Vladeck and Nancy Ann Min de Parle were no longer holding the reins.
Last year, when a lot of the talk over at CMS had to do with the implementation of the Advanced Beneficiary Notice, Scully was all for it. This year, all the talk is...
Outreach
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
GRAFTON, N.D. - Twice a month, employees from Adaptive Equipment Services hop into a one-ton truck and travel across the state to the homes, schools or places of work of people with disabilities to fit them for adaptive equipment.
Without the Mobile Outreach Program, people with disabilities in this sparsely populated state would not have their wheelchair seated and positioned or other equipment mounted. In each trip, Adaptive Equipment Services employees service up to 15 people; that's some 360...
Simon says: Margolis ready to lead RESNA
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
After spending the better part of a year getting a firsthand glimpse into the patient side of rehabilitation, Simon Margolis is rested, recovered and ready to enter yet another distinctive phase of his noteworthy career: president of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.
The 25-year veteran of the rehab industry says his batteries are now fully recharged from months of cardiac rehab following a December 2001 heart attack. And while taking the RESNA helm...
O2 Science adds to its collection
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
TEMPE, Ariz. - O2 Science continues to grow closer to its goal of building a home respiratory company with 25 branches.
Last month, the company announced that it had completed two acquisitions and opened two additional branches, bringing its grand total to 14.
The company acquired the Colorado Branch of Healthcare Supply Network, a home respiratory therapy services provider, based in Arizona. This acquisition will be integrated into O2 Science's branch in Arvada, a suburb of Denver. Patients throughout...
Mobility: Powered
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Dynamic Controls
SHARK Drive-only powerchair control system
SHARK differs from other drive-only powerchair control systems in that it's a two-box system (power module, control unit), reportedly giving better performance and range in a compact and stylish unit.
Booth No. 4142
MK Battery
M34 SLD G Sealed-gel battery
The M34 SLD G Gel battery, with 60 amp hours of capacity, is reportedly the first domestically built cyclic gel in its low-profile size.
Booth No. 4704
Harmar Mobility
AL065 Inside-Out...
PDA-based glucometer has mainly niche appeal
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
ALAMEDA, Calif. - With FDA clearance behind it, TheraSense has released its FreeStyle Tracker Diabetes Management System, the first glucose monitoring system to be integrated into a personal digital assistant (PDA).
The new diabetes monitoring and management tool enables patients to test for glucose levels and get a readout on the PDA screen, graph and chart the results over time, review carbohydrate food lists to track their food intake and more.
However, while TheraSense sees the product as a...
HIPAA delayed? Not really
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
It's not over! The HIPAA Trail goes on. Contrary to what many providers may believe, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has not been delayed. If you have heard about a delay concerning HIPAA, you're partly right.
The Privacy Rule isn't delayed. What is delayed is the requirement for covered entities to be compliant with the HIPAA Electronic Health Care Transaction Code Sets originally scheduled for implementation on Oct. 16, 2002. If you, as a covered entity, will not...
Where is our industry most vulnerable?
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Where is our industry vulnerable - a question many of us talk about in so many ways day-to-day. Whether it is in the government/reimbursement issues, dealer profitability or quality of the products that serve our market.
Vulnerability of our industry is on all of our minds, but we have to ask the next question... what can we do about it?
Which specific areas of vulnerability?
1. Government/Reimbursement
2. Dealer Profitability
3. Quality
4. Technology
These four areas affect every part of...
Soft Goods
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Bruder Healthcare Co.
MediBeads Microave-Actviated Moist Heat Wrap
MediBeads Microwave Activated Moist Heat Wraps deliver safe, clean, deeply penetrating, moist heat in just minutes. MediBeads absorb only water and incorporate a natural anti-odor and anti-bacterial agent within them. MediBeads wraps are washable and will not disintegrate. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Booth No. 464
FLA Orthopedics
ProLite Air Stirrup Ankle brace
The ProLite Air Stirrup provides medial and...
Supplies
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Dynarex Corp.
Urinary Drain Bags & Leg Bags
Urologicals
Dynex's 2000ml-drain bag offers performance and economy in a sturdy, vinyl construction. These bags feature an anti-reflux valve to prevent urine back flow, a sampling port, a sterile fluid pathway and a teardrop shape for even filling. Leg bags are available in 600ml and 1000ml sizes. A twist valve provides simple non-drip closure. Easy-to-use straps that provide secure attachment to legs.
Booth No. 4937
PaperPak
Attends Pull-On Protective...