Archive: July 2005
Wound care market to pass $5 billion by 2009
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
NEW YORK -- The world market for products to treat skin ulcers will grow at nearly 10% per year to surpass $5 billion by 2009, according to a new report from Kalorama Information. The increasing elderly population, the availability of new therapeutic techniques, and the recent cost-driven focus on wound care management and prevention are driving the growth. The study found that some segments of products, such as biological dressings, are in the infant stages and wide open for development and tremendous...
CMS boosts HHA rates 2.5%
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
BALTIMORE -- CMS announced a proposed 2.5 percent increase in Medicare payment rates to home health agencies for calendar year 2006. The increase would bring an extra $330 million in payments to home health agencies next year.
Home health payment rates are updated annually by either the full home health market basket percentage, or by the home health market basket percentage as adjusted by Congress. CMS establishes the home health market basket index, which measures inflation in the prices of an...
DMERC doc addresses PWC documentation
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON --Providers who expect the DMERCs to specify exactly what type of documentation is necessary to prove medical necessity for a power wheelchair should prepare to be "disappointed," said Region A Medical Director Dr. Paul Hughes. In fact, Hughes added, while the DMERCs can -- and will later this year -- give guidance on what kind for information may be necessary to prove medical necessity, the paperwork reduction act prevents them from asking for specific documents.
"I think suppliers would...
Smart Talk: Protecting your customer list
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
Q. What steps can a supplier take to create an enforceable non-compete agreement that will prevent competitors from hiring away its sales staff?
A. There are three simple things an employer can do to increase the chances of having a non-compete agreement enforced. First, an attorney who deals specifically with employment law should be used to draft a non-compete. Non-compete agreements are governed by state law. As a result, the enforceability of non-competes varies greatly from state to state. This...
FAA liberates patients; rule simplifies air travel
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- In what one industry watcher called "a great day for oxygen users," the Federal Aviation Administration passed a rule in July that should make it much easier for respiratory patients to travel onboard commercial airlines.
On July 12, the FAA issued a rule that allows, but does not require, airlines to let patients travel with portable oxygen concentrators during all phases of the flight, including take-off and landing.
This is the first time oxygen patients have had the opportunity...
Patient brokers spell big trouble
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
AMARILLO, Texas -- Over the past six months the number of illegal "patient brokers" -- former PT, respiratory therapists and other professionals with deep referral source relationships -- has been on the rise, said Jeff Baird, a healthcare attorney with Brown & Fortunato in Amarillo, Texas. "I have had a number of large HME companies come to me and say they've been approached by an independent broker or marketing rep who can move a lot of patients to them," said Baird. "It's so blatantly wrong I...
Smart Talk: 'A great coach, a great team'
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
Q. In this climate of dwindling reimbursement, there's lots of talk about lowering costs by improving operational efficiencies, but what should HME managers do to get the most out of their employees?
A. First, one must grasp the new team terminology. For decades we have been called managers, supervisors, leaders, even team leaders. Today the terminology has shifted in many businesses to coach. Webster defines coaching as: A person who trains, tutors or instructs. This definition can give us a start...
New bill aims to change NCB to benefit provides, beneficiaries
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- Rep. David Hobson, R-Ohio, made good on his pledge to seek remedy for the most onerous provisions of the MMA. Last Thursday he introduced a bill, H.R. 3559, that would tweak competitive bidding to benefit beneficiaries and small providers.
The legislation, which is also sponsored by Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., proposes seven changes that would make competitive bidding easier to digest for beneficiaries and small providers.
But first, the legislation needs to find its legs.
Sara...
Medline launches HME retail solutions program
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
MUNDELEIN, Ill. -- Medline hitched its wagon to the retail gravy train that's been rolling for the last decade or so when the company debuted its Merchandising Solutions program at a sales meeting in May.
In its first month, Medline won 32 new customers to a program that distributes planograms and merchandising collateral such as valances, posters and banners. The company has also enhanced its retail packaging with colors and pictures.
"At focus groups last year, our customers were telling us that...
Arcadia continues to roll up HMEs
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Arcadia Resources, a growing roll-up guided by former Rotech excutive Larry Kuhnert, recently acquired Health-Link, a durable medical equipment supplier focused on respiratory disease management with operations in northwest Indiana and metropolitan Chicago. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Since mid-2004, Arcadia has acquired multiple staffing, home health care and DME businesses in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts and North Carolina....