Archive: March 2005
Editorial: Not funny
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
The cartoon [appearing in the April HME News print issue] is no joke. Take a look at the article on page six in which Rep. Dave Hobson of Ohio “lectures” HME industry boosters for their failure to change the name of the game. Anybody who's lobbied against competitive bidding has likely felt uncomfortable with the nomenclature.
Indeed, how can any red-blooded American argue against the notion of competition? It's anathema to our identity as a people. And yet for years, that's exactly...
Men aged 20-29 most at risk for sleep apnea
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine -- According to a new study, men aged 20 to 29 with severe sleep apnea have 10 times the risk of dying from heart related ailments than their non-sleep apnea peers. The study, which was carried out by the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, also showed that men aged 30 to 39 have three times the risk of dying, while those in their forties have twice the risk. But those aged 50 or older don't have a higher risk of dying than the same age group in the general population, according...
Due diligence compliance review
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
Q. What should a seller expect during the due diligence compliance review?
A. Buyers will perform a compliance review that looks at 100% of your respiratory files and generally a sample of your DME files. During this inspection, they'll examine delivery tickets, assignment of benefits forms, privacy notice acknowledgements, scripts, CMN/POs, test results and follow-up criteria such as physician and beneficiary letters for bipaps. The most common problem areas are incomplete third party signor information;...
No more working for the man
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
BILOXI, Miss. — With all the talk about transfilling concentrators, going paperless and using other new technology to reduce operational costs, it seems almost quaint to hear a company downplay these innovations and stake its future on simply providing better service.
But that is Express Medical's game plan, and the owners are not alone in feeling it may be a good one.
“Companies need to get on their feet first and then innovate,” said HME consultant Roberta Domos. “I don't...
NCART walks Capitol Hill
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- NCART celebrated its first anniversary in February with a legislative fly-in and rehab technology fair designed to promote the organization's two most pressing issues -- a competitive bidding carve-out for rehab and Medicare's in-the-home restriction.
NCART's first major event drew 88 attendees to Washington D.C., where they made 106 office visits to members of Congress.
"For the first one and one that had never been done before, I think that it was very successful," said attendee...
Tech council lands a home on CMS Web site
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- CMS announced last month that its Web site has been expanded to provide an Internet home for the Council on Technology and Innovation (CTI). The CTI is comprised of senior level CMS leaders and experts on clinical, coverage and payment issues. The Council's mission is to coordinate policy development within CMS to ensure faster and more efficient coverage and payment of new medical technologies and to support improved methods for developing practical information about the clinical benefits...
Publisher's note: Conference, awards, anniversary
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
I'm very pleased to announce a brand new conference, the HME Business Summit, presented by HME News. This event is unlike anything else in the HME industry. Developed by HME News as an outgrowth of our State of the Industry White Paper, the Summit will organize and present data in an entirely new way and show you how to use that data to increase your profits.
The HME Business Summit will take place in Chicago, September 11-13. Registration is limited and we've allowed plenty of time for networking,...
Respiratory providers mix it up
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine -- Respiratory medication providers, who are now adjusting to the average sales price reimbursement structure, shouldn't get too comfortable with the new methodology. It's still going to be a rocky ride in 2005, say industry consultants.
"It's going to be a topsy-turvy year. It certainly has started that way," said Mickey Letson, president of the Letco Companies.
Letson said providers now have the added challenge of evaluating the drug reimbursements each quarter to see what the...
J&L: 'We knew we had the ability ... the drive to do it'
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
WATERBURY, Conn. — After working together for more than 17 years in the healthcare field, John Loyer and Lynn Tata decided it was time to start their own home medical equipment company. So in March 2003 that's what the two respiratory therapists did, forming J&L Medical Services.
“We knew we had the ability, we knew we had the drive to do it,” Loyer said. “We put our heads together and put our talents together.”
Earlier this year, the Waterbury Regional Chamber of...
Diane Godek: A resource, not a rep
March 31, 2005HME News Staff
NEWINGTON, Conn. — Not being seen as a sales rep by customers is, ironically, a high compliment for the profession. Such is the case with Diane Godek, CRTS, rehab sales rep for Hudson Home Health's western Massachusetts territory. Customers consider her a troubleshooter, resident funding expert, disabled children's advocate and pediatric seating authority who just happens to sell rehab equipment.
Everyone working in HME sales agrees that it's a relationship-based business, and this is especially...