Archive: September 2002
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...
Coding chaos?
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
IRVINE, Calif. - Just five months after getting new, more generous ostomy codes in April, providers began to hear disturbing news: Another set of ostomy coding changes may be on the way from CMS.
"It looks like they plan to eliminate the six pay codes they established in April for features of pouches and issue new codes that categorize pouches by which features they have specifically," said Linda Aukett, chairwoman of government affairs for the Irvine, Calif.-based United Ostomy Association (UOA).
Worst...
Marketing
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Competitors who push the limits
WITH ALISON CHERNEY
Q. What is the best response to a competitor that is promoting the fact that Medicare patients "usually bear no out-of-pocket costs for power wheelchairs" and promotes this fact aggressively through public relations activities?
A.While there should be a level playing field in the Medicare market, there are some competitors that push the limits of the level playing field. It is up to individual companies in a particular market to identify these...
DME
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Altimate Medical
Ovation Strap Stand
The new Ovation Strap Stand allows disabled individuals and the elderly to stand directly from their wheelchairs. The specially designed lifting arms gently raise, and then gradually pull, the user into standing position, minimizing pressure on the knees. The swing-away leg option allows users with larger wheelchairs to pull up with ease.
Booth No. 4543
Columbia Medical
Contour Ultima Customizable bath chair
The Contour Ultima, a reclining bath chair by Columbia...
Industry DSOs lengthen
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The HME industry's overall accounts receivable DSO lengthened from 81 days to 85 days, according to AAHomecare's 2002 Financial Performance Survey Report, released last month. The boost is the first such increase in four years.
Since the survey also found that capitation represents 4% of the industry's payer mix, versus 1% last year, AAHomecare editorial board member Bob Cucuel said he would have expected the DSO to drop three to four days. Beyond the "same old battles with Medicare,"...
"I find myself in a position where it seems so ridiculous."
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Study calls NCB a 'near certainty'
MELBOURNE, Fla. - A national competitive bidding program would eliminate half the nation's Medicare suppliers and reduce operating margins by 80%, according to a stark new analysis by the Weeks Group.
Characterizing competitive bidding as a "near certainty" for HMEs, the evidence for this grim assessment of business under nationwide competitive bidding (NCB) comes from analysis of more than 40 documents that contains hundreds of pages of testimony, opinions, statistics,...
Automation
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Fastrack
HME/Infusion Enterprise System HME account management
The HME/Infusion Enterprise System for Windows/SQL is compatible with Windows 98/NT/2000/XP platforms. It features a general ledger account link for sending financial information from the Fastrack system to virtually any accounting system. Automatically transfer accounts receivable from one payer to another with a single click. An integrated document imaging feature allows for batch scanning of HME and infusion delivery tickets for automatic...
iBot maker revs up sales force
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Independence Technologies, makers of the $100 million iBot wheelchair, have begun looking for sales reps with PT/OT backgrounds to sell its stair-climbing power chair. The Johnson & Johnson subsidiary is now advertising 24 sales reps jobs across the country, leading some to speculate that the manufacturer plans to sell the $25,000 wheelchair direct to consumers. Independence is seeking candidates with "two or more years of successful sales experience to Rehabilitation Clinics."
AAHomecare...
Sleep
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
Fisher & Paykel
Oracle Oral mask Oral interface
The Oracle Oral mask is a new interface from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. The Oracle is a strapless, butterfly shaped device made of medical grade silicone that rests comfortably between the users cheeks and gums. It's an alternative to the nasal mask, facilitating pressure delivery through the mouth vs. the nose. No headgear is needed.
Booth No. 2605
Hans Rudolph
7600 Series VMask
The new 7600 Series VMask is a full face mask for use with CPAP/NPPV...
Apria acquires major Calif. HME
September 30, 2002HME News Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Apria scooped up one of northern California's largest independent providers last month when it acquired the John Davis Company for a reported $12 million.
While neither side would discuss the deal's terms, Apria paid $12 million and allowed John Davis to keep its accounts receivables and its supplies business, which is currently up for sale, say area sources.
CFO Byron Maynard said the specter of competitive bidding for Medicare had nothing to do with the company's decision...