Archive: July 2006
California M&A firm buys into HME biz
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Providential Holdings secured $5.5 million in financing in late June, pushing it closer to closing a deal on Phoenix-based Western Medical. PHI, an M&A firm which specializes in businesses with high-growth potential, agreed in June to pay $5.25 million in cash for Western Medical, which filed for Chapter 11. "I think they're going to wait to make sure this goes through the bankruptcy court before they do anything," said Kevin Palamara, a director with Boston-based investment...
DMERCs publish guidance
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The DMERCs in mid-July published additional guidance for power wheelchair and scooter documentation, including a new provision that will mean even more paperwork for providers and physicians.
The provision, which goes into effect Aug. 24, 2006, requires providers to prepare a detailed product description and have it signed and dated by a physician before delivery.
"It's another paperwork burden and, probably, another contact with the physician's office," said Seth Johnson, vice president...
NCART picks up co-sponsors
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A May congressional fly-in helped NCART convince three legislators to co-sponsor its bill to exempt complex rehab products from competitive bidding.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Ky., now has support from Reps. Doc Hasting, R-Wash.; Melissa Hart, R-Pa.; and Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa., according to Sharon Hildebrand, NCART's executive director.
"Next, we're targeting people on the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees, as well as the Bipartisan Disability Caucus," she...
If not you, who? If not now, when?
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
Q. I've held site visits with my congressman and participated in other industry lobbying events--but the Medicare reimbursement cuts keep coming. Why should I continue to fight what seems like a lost cause?
A. The Talmud says, "If not you, who? If not now, when?" The simple answer is--if you don't fight, who will? I can understand why providers are frustrated and may want to throw in the towel. The past decade and, most notably, the past few years have been extremely challenging. Last fall, it was...
ResMed revamps CPAP Web site
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
POWAY, Calif. - ResMed recently revamped its online resource site for patients, myresmed.com, with new content and tips on how to best use therapy product information. The free service is intended to help dealers and sleep clinicians educate and support new CPAP users. The site addresses common patient questions, allowing dealers to attend to more urgent patient needs. The site provides mask and accessory replacement reminders to patients. In addition to benefiting patients, it helps HMEs improve...
Japanese style headed this way
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. - Michael Morris has his fingers crossed that U.S. consumers take to Japanese home medical equipment just as they have to sushi and Toyota automobiles.
With his Osaka, Japan-based partner, Michinari Tsutsumi, Morris heads up the fledgling HME import-export business Hi5 Global. The company, which debuted at Medtrade last year, plans to attend this year's show with a host of Japanese designed products in tow. This year or next, it plans to begin distributing in the United States...
RESNA creates 'Hall of Fellows'
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
ATLANTA - A new "Hall of Fellows" honoring rehab engineering and assistive technology professionals for their dedication to the field and to RESNA took center stage at the organization's annual conference at the Hyatt Regency here June 22-26.
At the entrance to the exhibit hall, RESNA set up posters of fellows dating back to 1982, the first year the award was given. The posters included photos and information on why the fellows chose assistive technology as their field of choice.
"The whole idea...
AAH urges caution in comments
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - In 20 tightly packed pages of comments submitted to CMS by the June 30 deadline, AAHomecare raised plenty of concerns over Medicare's draft plan to implement competitive bidding for DME.
Of utmost importance: CMS should revise its timeline to make sure it has time to do all that's required by year's end. Among other things, CMS must select accrediting bodies, publish product categories, evaluate bids and educate beneficiaries and referral sources.
With so much unexplained, AAHomecare...
Getting in step
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
Petersen Medical employees hit the pavement alongside asthma sufferers in June as part of the Salt Lake Asthma Walk and 5K.
It was a good way to get out and meet asthma patients and their families, as well as referral sources, said Petersen CEO Tom Bradley.
"We serve many patients who suffer from asthma, so we feel it is important to support the fundraising effort for treatment and finding a cure," said Bradley. "The mission of our company is to help people breathe easier."
This is the first year...
Teleflex aims to start revolution
July 31, 2006HME News Staff
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Teleflex Medical's vice president and general manager, Tim Hopper, isn't shy about talking up the company's "revolutionary" new CPAP mask, the Hybrid.
"We've looked to design a universal mask, and we feel this could be the solution," said Hopper about the combo nasal/oral interface. "You see a lot of new masks that come out on the market and they all seem to be a slight variation on an existing mask. We feel that this is truly a unique product and that is what excited...