Archive: May 2003
VGM signs up for e-CMNs
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
LAS VEGAS — The VGM Group's interest in e-CMNs reached a new plateau at Medtrade Spring when the trade group signed a participating service provider agreement with ZDMED Corp., a distributor of eClickMD's e-CMN product.
VGM is now talking with a number of its larger customers about beta-testing an e-CMN product that's still revving up for a real-time debut. Trac Medical is the only other company marketing an e-CMN product to HME providers. Three of its 11 HME customers are sending live e-CMNs.
VGM...
Mixon defends K0011 utilization
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio — In response to questions about K0011 utilization by CMS Administrator Tom Scully, Invacare CEO Mal Mixon argues that power wheelchairs are medically necessary for a growing portion of the population. In a letter to Scully dated April 4, 2003, Mixon pointed out that demographics, technology, consumer awareness and the HCPCS coding system have all contributed to growth in the category. Here are excerpts from Mixon's letter:
Demographics
“The majority of HCPCS K0011 power...
Northwood on NCB
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
Back in 1992, the first of the Detroit auto companies put its DMEPOS benefits out for bid. At first, dozens of independent providers including our parent company banded together to lobby the state legislature to stop the auto's health plan administrator from facilitating the bid and subsequent contract with a sole provider. The lobbying went on for months, but to no avail, as ultimately a contract was put in place and thousands of patients (including Medicare patients) were transitioned to an exclusive...
CMS says: Mission accomplished
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
WASHINGTON — The competitive bidding demonstration projects in Polk County, Fla., went well for a number of reasons, despite provider grumblings to the contrary, say CMS officials.
First of all, they saved money, $4.8 million after administrative costs and other expenses. Secondly, by allowing fairly large numbers of providers to participate (not just the lowest bidders), the demos maintain market competition and ensured beneficiaries access to quality services.
“Everyone would like...
Briefs
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
Tax plan would freeze CPI on more than wheelchairs
WASHINGTON — The New York Times threw in a misleading reference to wheelchairs last month in a story describing the Senate's tax cut proposal. The Times reported that the Senate plan would reduce reimbursement for wheelchairs to help pay for increased Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals. In reality, the Senate plan would rein in reimbursement on all DME, not just wheelchairs. As proposed, the Senate tax plan would: 1. Freeze the CPI...
SARS biz is nothing to sneeze at
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
MILPITAS, Ca. — The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hasn't infected the United States as it has parts of China and Canada, but it has boosted business in masks and other preventative equipment for some state-side HME providers and manufacturers.
“We're getting requests for large quantities — like 100,000 ear thermometers with probe covers,” said Gary Halick, vice president of A&D Medical, a manufacturer in Milpitas, Calif. “We're getting requests...
OIG recoups $21 billion
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
WASHINGTON —Â The OIG saved taxpayers $21 billion in 2002 through fines, audits, settlements and other efforts to recover Medicare and Medicaid money.
In 2002, the OIG also excluded 3,448 people and companies from Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, secured 517 criminal convictions and 236 civil actions.
In 2001, the OIG recovered $18 billion; $15.6 billion in 2000; $12.5 billion in 1999; and $11.6 billion in 1998.
Why the increase from year to year?
“Some of it is because we have...
Briefs
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
Judge approves AHP's reorganization
NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Â A Nashville bankruptcy judge approved a reorganization plan submitted by American HomePatient and a committee of unsecured creditors, clearing the way for implementing the plan, according to the Nashville Tennessean. Judge George C. Paine II entered the opinion last month after considering it for several weeks. AHP filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy July 31, 2002. The company was scheduled to pay off the entire $275 million Dec. 31,...
Tenn. law requires ATS/ATP only
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee on April 28 became the first state in the country to legally institute quality standards for those rehab companies serving its Medicaid population.
Starting in 2004, rehab providers must employ at least one person who meets all of the requirements for membership in NRRTS, though that employee does not have to be a member of the organization. In 2007, every company must have on staff a professional who holds RESNA's ATP or ATS credential, or is a PT/OT.
“I'm...
Medtrade Spring’s attendance jumps — again
May 31, 2003HME News Staff
LAS VEGAS — Medtrade Spring's on-site registration jumped 45% this year, and the show continued its turnaround from just a few years ago when manufacturers openly grumbled over the event's skimpy attendance.
Show organizer VNU Expositions projected a 10% increase in attendance this year, but the deluge of people registering on-site will most likely push that percentage increase higher, said Cory Smith, group show director for VNU.
This year's increase follow's last year's, when Medtrade Spring...