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Archive: June 2006


News

HMEs torn over charging seniors more for Medicare

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

YARMOUTH, Maine - A small majority of providers believe that, as a way to stem Medicare reimbursement cuts for durable medical equipment, beneficiaries should pay more. Few HMEs, however, like the thought of that. According to the June HME NewsPoll, 54% of 240 respondents agreed that requiring seniors to pay more would reduce DME reimbursement cuts. But with most seniors on fixed incomes, boosting their co-pays or requiring them to buy additional secondary insurance appear unlikely solutions, providers...

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Upstate grows referral base through contracts

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

UTICA, N.Y. - Now that its vascular management access program (VAMP) has succeeded here, Upstate Home Care plans to extend its home infusion services to doctors and hospitals statewide. Through VAMP, Upstate partners with referrals outside the homecare venue to identify patients who could benefit from a proactive approach to IV therapy. This saves time and money, and is better for the patient, says Greg Lopresti, vice president and COO. "We're taking the headache off them," said Lopresti. "We provide...

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Will company values take a nosedive?

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - HMEs who participate in Medicare's competitive bidding program and at some point decide to sell their company could see valuations drop precipitously under a provision in the program's draft proposal. The proposal states that any company that wins a bidding contract must notify CMS 60 days prior to any change in ownership. What's more, if CMS feels beneficiaries have adequate access to service, it has the "discretion" to prevent the acquiring company from participating in the competitive...

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VGM ad gives grassroots efforts a higher profile

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group took out a full-page ad in a major Washington, D.C., journal last month, pushing the industry's message that current and future cuts to DME reimbursement could hold dire consequences for frail seniors. Additionally, the ad informs lawmakers that during their August break they should expect visits from HME providers and beneficiaries. The ad ran in Roll Call, a newspaper that covers the federal government and is read by an estimated 90% of lawmakers and their staff....

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Ask the DMERC MDs

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

This month we are back to a favorite topic--power mobility. Over the past month, we have seen the release of the new set of HCPCS codes as well as the publication of information addressing how the power mobility equipment face-to-face requirement should be documented. In addition, we have released information about how Advance Determination of Medicare Coverage (ADMC) requests need to be documented. Q. How were the new power wheelchair codes developed? A. The codes presented reflect the recommendations...

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Majors Mobility expands

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

TOPSHAM, Maine - It was time to either expand or close the doors, so Majors Mobility opened a second location in July. "It may sound crazy, but we've developed our geographical area as much as we can," said Tyrrell Hunter, president. "If you just stay the same, you'll see profit margins eaten away." The move will give the 10-year-old company access to 70% of the mobility market in Maine, potentially more than doubling its current 30% market share. The new location measures 4,100 square feet--1,800...

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Strategic trains eye on product performance

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Strategic Dynamics, which bills itself as a performance improvement company, bolstered its muscle recently when it hired Robert Chatburn, an expert on benchmarking and conducting clinical studies. With dozens of products in most equipment categories, and a shortage of independent objective reviewers, it's no easy task for providers to determine which product best fits their financial and clinical needs. Chatburn will work with providers to do just that, focusing on respiratory...

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NCART backs consumers

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - Looking to strengthen its relationships with consumers, NCART has thrown its weight behind two bills being pushed by the National Council on Independent Living and the American Association of People with Disabilities. The bills, The Medicaid Community-based Services and Supports Act of 2005 (MiCassa) and the Money Follows the Person Act of 2005 (MFP), would favor home and community-based services over institutional care. "We've been asking, all along, for the disability community to...

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Sleep equipment offers multiple sales dimensions

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

There are various veins of the sleep market that can be mined by the HME provider, but they are all bound by one important factor: establishing trust with those who use and recommend the products. By building an impeccable reputation as a knowledgeable and dependable supplier of sleep products, manufacturers say, there are limitless opportunities for HME companies to pursue. An offshoot of the respiratory business, sleep therapy began in the mid-1980s and two decades later is reportedly poised for...

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They're no one-trick pony: Respironics expands O2 biz

June 30, 2006HME News Staff

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - With its acquisition of OxyTec's portable oxygen concentrator, Respironics has signaled plans to resuscitate an oxygen business that's long served as a stepchild to the company's booming sleep business. "Large investments are being made in both R&D and acquisitions," said John McClellan, Respironics' senior product manager for oxygen. "Within the next 12 months, we're anticipating the introduction of several major products." The vanguard of this new thrust by Respironics is the...

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