Archive: December 2005
Specialty pharmacies have edge in Medicare Part D
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - Inhalation drugs delivered through a metered dose inhaler will be covered under Medicare Part D, leading to speculation that some patients could switch from aerosol therapy to the less expensive MDIs. But most providers are not concerned that a floodgate of new pharmacies will divert their neb-med patients.
"The specialty pharmacies today were able to overcome barriers and hurdles to be a Part B provider," said Wayne Vega, a consultant to New Iberia, La.-based Acadiana Plastics....
Permobil sheds mom-and-pop status
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
LEBANON, Tenn. - With new owners and increased financial resources, high-end wheelchair manufacturer Permobil now intends to speed up product development and increase its presence in the mid-level market.
"We want to take care of more consumers, and not just in this high-end market," said President Larry Jackson. "We never want to lose that, but we think there is a whole other group of people down there looking for what we call the 'Permobil experience': Not only making a good product but being able...
It's a first: Sleep surpasses oxygen
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
PITTSBURG, Kansas - For the first time, beginning this fall, Mt. Carmel Medical Equipment saw its sleep referrals jump ahead of oxygen referrals--a trend that doesn't surprise some industry watchers, who say it could begin to play out nationally.
General Manager Gary Miller suspects a pulmonologist who recently moved from New Jersey to sleepy Crawford County (population 40,000) tapped into an undiagnosed population of patients with potential sleep disorders and sent many of them his way for CPAPs...
Singing firemen donate to rehab organization
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - A vocal sextet of professional firemen gave a non-profit organization that funds assistive technology for children an early Christmas gift in November, when it began donating proceeds from the sale of its holiday CD. The Garland, Texas-based FireForce sells its CD, "Home for Christmas," at www.usafireforce.com for $20. The group donates proceeds to the Tacoma, Wash.-based National Organization Caring for Kids (NOCK), which funds wheelchairs, gate trainers and other devices for chronically...
Medline turns green to reduce expenses
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
MUNDELEIN, Ill. - If you've ever wondered if recycling and weatherproofing could save your company money, just ask Medline, the nation's largest privately owned manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment.
Over the past year, by implementing a host of environmentally friendly practices, Medline saved more than $250,000 and reduced greenhouse emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 1.7 million pounds, the company recently stated.
"Today, being efficient in how you use energy helps us keep our...
A cheat sheet on the 2006 HCPCS codes
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
Q. What impact will the 2006 HCPCS coding changes have on rehab providers?
A. For 2006, rehab providers will need to learn 22 new codes, 27 deleted codes and two code description changes. Previously, there was a 90-day grace period to allow suppliers time to become familiar with any new or discontinued codes. However, in order to comply with HIPAA regulations, CMS eliminated the grace period for discontinued HCPCS codes effective Jan. 1, 2005. This means newly added HCPCS codes are effective and...
Respirators Inc. enters retail HME market
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
NEW YORK - Respirators Inc., which has made a name for itself on the Internet by providing respirators, antiseptic wipes and other products to combat avian bird flu concerns, jumped into the HME market with a new sister Web site in late November.
The site, www.familymedicalsupplies.com, features thousands of HME products grouped into dozens of categories--everything from wound care to respiratory to scooters, said Howard Ryan, a managing partner at Respirators.
"We've proven that we can wrap our...
Black Bear Medical moves to bigger digs
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
PORTLAND, Maine - Black Bear Medical will double its space from a cramped 4,500 square feet to 9,000 square feet when it moves to a large location Feb. 1. Co-owner Jim Greatorex said Black Bear outgrew its current space three years ago. The new location, on Marginal Way, will give the growing store's 11 employees room to move and allow the store to carry a larger inventory. The 18-year-old company carries rehab, DME and accessibility products. Black Bear has a second location in Bangor.
HMEs: We'll cut services
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - If Medicare eliminates the cap rental option for DME, providers will look to cut back on services and, in some cases, quality, according to the December HME NewsPoll.
"Cheaper products and less service here I come," wrote in Joel Holland, president of Holland Medical Equipment in Nashville, Tenn.
While 40% of the 209 poll respondents said they would lay off staff, services would take the biggest hit with 70% of respondents saying they would have to cut maintenance and another 43%...
Scott Herman: Empowered staff boosts business
December 31, 2005HME News Staff
WICHITA, Kansas - When Scott Herman joined Home Medical Services last fall as president, he brought with him a management style that empowered employees to make decisions faster and better than ever before.
The result: Improved efficiency and a 22% increase in the number of oxygen concentrator patients.
"Decisions that, before, took weeks to filter up to the president's office are now resolved by employees in 30 seconds because employees are making decisions on point of contact," said Herman, who...