Archive: 2003
Dialing for dollars in Florida
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
MIAMI LAKES, Fla. - So far, Rob Del Giacco likes what he sees in his company's pilot telemedicine program.
“It is a great feature in that we are saving time and getting the patient what they need in a more efficient and effective manner,” said All-Med Services' vice president of operations and clinical services. “We're being proactive in the care of the patient rather than reactive.”
By using equipment with telemedicine capabilities for ventilator, infant apnea and liquid...
Chicago-area giant oozes confidence
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
CHICAGO - Despite all the nail biting surrounding the reimbursement cuts imposed by the new Medicare Prescription Drug Act, Ultra Care appears to have less to worry about than many HMEs.
In November, the city's largest independent acquired the HME, infusion and home respiratory services CareMed of Chicago, the University of Chicago Hospital's homecare business. The deal, precipitated by U of C's decision to focus on its core activities (patient care, teaching and research) boosted Ultra Care's annual...
Financials
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
Apria cuts its DSO to 50
LAKE FOREST, Calif. - As of Sept. 30, Apria's DSO stood at 51 days, down from 52 days on June 30, 2003, according to the company's third quarter financial statement. Through the first three quarters of 2003, Apria has acquired 21 companies with an aggregate purchase price of $88.6 million, all of which continued to be funded by cash flow generated from operations.
Briefs
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
Apria boosts infusion through GPO partnership
LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Apria Healthcare, hoping to add more muscle to its home infusion operations, recently joined New York-based Innovatix, a leading group purchasing organization. The exclusive membership will grant Apria access to the GPO's preferred pricing agreements, as well as influence on its lobbying efforts and a place on its advisory board. “The more members you have, the better the pricing you can negotiate with the manufacturers,”...
New CMS pilot project shows faith in DSM
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The recent CMS announcement of a disease management pilot project aimed at improving care for the chronically ill begs the question: Is CMS buying into claims that DSM keeps patients out of hospitals, thereby reducing health care costs?
“I think this [project] does mean we have a broader acceptance of disease management as a legitimate, proactive patient-care initiative,” said Roberta Domos, owner of Domos HME Consulting Group. “So, that's very good news. It gives some...
Vendors react to Medicare cuts
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - The draconian cuts to HME reimbursement proposed by the Medicare Prescription Drug Act are resurrecting an age-old debate between the cost and the price of home medical equipment.
It is an argument that proponents of lower lifecycle cost believe they're winning, but also an argument that requires more gusto as lower price alternatives woo reimbursement-challenged providers.
Take, for example, this visit by a manufacturer's rep to C&C Homecare in Bradenton, Fla., the day after...
Unmasked! (sort of)
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
After reading your article called Masquerade, (see article) which happens to be about a conversation that you and I had, I find it appalling that you missed the point of our conversation. You and I discussed many things, but none more important then adding new people to the business that are ethical and want to get into the business because they want to help people enhance their lives, by providing good products and services. My experience, which happens to be helping the hearing impaired improve...
Internet
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
SALISBURY, N.C. - Rowan Medical intentionally avoided the Internet band wagon of the late 1990s, but these days the provider's singing a different tune.
Rowan debuted rowanmedical.com in November as a way to boost its cash sales and generate business in other parts of the state. The provider also is exploring the possibility of partnering with hmeprovider.com, an e-commerce site that, among other things, acts as a sort of group purchasing organization for HMEs and directs consumers to member equipment...
Legal
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
Power wheelchair audits
With J. Everett Wilson
Q. My DME is facing an audit of our power wheelchair patients. Is there anything I should do to help my case?
A. With audits involving power wheelchairs, the carrier is going to be collecting information through your records, the patient's physicians' medical records and, whenever possible, the individual beneficiary. It is important to understand that the carrier will deny as many claims as possible where the beneficiary's medical condition did not...
Drug Act provision puzzles providers
December 31, 2003HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A provision of the Medicare Prescription Drug Act that would send Medicare beneficiaries to their doctors' offices for “face-to-face evaluations” when seeking a power wheelchair has left HME providers in a scramble to uncover the real world implications on the new rule.
The regulation is murky and has raised many questions that CMS has yet to answer, according to Eric Sokol, director of the Power Mobility Coalition.
“[CMS] just sees it as face to face, it's pretty...