Archive: February 2006
Protests and rallies: Helpful or harmful?
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
Q. Last month the VGM Group staged a protest rally outside the Bakersfield, Calif., office of U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif. Thomas obviously doesn't like the HME industry and has often backed legislation to cut Medicare DME reimbursement. Does this kind of protest rally hurt or help the industry's cause?
A. I would not presume to question the strategy of the VGM Group; only they know what they hoped to accomplish. I do know from my own experience that most members of Congress are helpful in aiding...
On TV: Local, national providers duke it out
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
SPOKANE, Wash. - Sick and tired of watching its market share eaten away by national companies that spend "lots of money" on TV ads, Inland Medical and Rehab has hit the airwaves, too.
The provider has budgeted $6,000 per month for TV, radio and newspaper ads. The ads present Inland Medical as a "local face" with attentive service, including in-home visits.
"We've been in business for 18 years, and we've never had to advertise," said Don Whitney, operations manager. "But the tide has changed. Before,...
Rehab group postpones fly-in
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - To better arm members for the lobbying fight ahead, the National Coalition for Assistive Rehab Technology postponed its February congressional fly-in.
NCART members planned to storm the Capitol Feb. 6 and 7 to petition legislators to exclude high-end rehab and assistive technology from national competitive bidding. But because a bill intended to do that had yet to be introduced by late December, the group decided to reschedule the fly-in for this spring.
"We were unsure whether legislation...
Industry battles bad reputation
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
HME has more than its fair share of skeptics among those who control its destiny. As a result, many would argue, the industry gets prejudicial treatment every time policymakers consider altering the status quo.
The routine has become increasingly prevalent in recent years: Congress or CMS develops a heavily restrictive proposal and industry spokespeople object vehemently. Revised measures and adamant protests volley back and forth over the course of months and if the industry is lucky, the damage...
Harmar Mobility upgrades Web site
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
SARASOTA, Fla. - Harmar Mobility launched a new Web site (www.harmar.com) recently with increased functionality for both dealers and consumers. New features include a nationwide dealer locator, revised and easy to navigate product sections, and an updated dealer section where current Harmar dealers can easily place orders and receive current updates on products and promotions. The site allows the lift and ramp manufacturer to provide instant updates and information on new products. Product image...
Footwear update missing
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS still has not issued a footwear guidance update, but DME providers and pharmacists wondering about their status as qualified therapeutic footwear fitters are not standing still.
"Everybody is positioning themselves to present a product or program that would be approved, to give them status as qualified fitters," said Bill Popamaronis, the National Association of Community Pharmacists' vice president of long-term/home health care pharmacy services.
Many industry watchers had expected...
Dr. Hoover fills clinical vacuum
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Although he worked in a bureaucracy for several years, Dr. Robert Hoover is hardly an ivory tower pencil pusher. The former Region D medical director has made it his mission to be actively involved in the process of clinical care, examining how equipment and policies can converge to best serve Medicare beneficiaries.
After seven years at the Region D DMERC, Hoover began applying this approach last summer to his new position as senior vice president of global clinical services for...
Cape Medical reels in big fish
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
SANDWICH, Mass. - Cape Medical Supply, a 28-year-old HME servicing Cape Cod, Mass., and the surrounding islands, completed its first-ever acquisition in mid-December, and it was a significant one: The deal more than doubled its number of home oxygen patients.
Cape Medical decided to grow its home oxygen business, despite a Medicare landscape that includes a 36-month cap on Medicare oxygen reimbursement.
"There's still long-range opportunity in the industry," said Gary Sheehan, general manager and...
'We're going to out-style our competitors,' Drive says
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. - Drive Medical kicked off its extreme makeover in January when it debuted a new turbo-charged Web site, consumer-friendly packaging and a suite of six planograms for its line of products.
The new offerings preceed the company's plan this spring to unveil a line of products designed by world-famous architect Michael Graves, who is also a paraplegic with a personal interest in medical equipment.
"We really transformed the look of the company around this association with Michael...
No big changes in ASP pricing
February 28, 2006HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - There were no major surprises in the first quarter reimbursements for respiratory drugs released by CMS in January. Most providers expected ASP pricing to remain relatively stable and it did.
"It's almost identical to what we projected it to be," said Mickey Letson, president of the Letco Companies.
The outlook is good for Xoponex which saw a slight decrease to $3.35 per dose or $1.33 per unit.
"We're seeing a lot of our patients shifted to that drug," said Harold Davis, director of...