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Archive: November 2008


News

Altimate Medical offers Webinar

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

MORTON, Minn.--Altimate Medical, manufacturer of the EasyStand line, has teamed up with Ginny Paleg, a pediatric physical therapist, to offer a Webinar on standing equipment. The one-hour Webinar, which can be viewed or downloaded at www.easystand.com/ginny, covers writing letters of medical necessity, choosing standing equipment and identifying protocols that match client's needs.

News

Senior Respiratory picks up customers

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

TEXARKANA, Texas--Praxair Healthcare Services tapped Senior Respiratory Solutions to provide respiratory medications to its 5,000 neb-med patients, David McDonald, president of Senior Respiratory, announced Nov. 7. “They decided to exit the unit dose market and chose us because we won't compete with them on oxygen or DME,” he said. The deal positions the six-year-old Senior Respiratory as one of the largest privately held respiratory pharmacies in the country, said McDonald.

News

Provider reaps repair revenues

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Network Medical has experienced a 15% uptick in revenues in the past few months, due to rehab companies that have thrown in the towel. President Rick Perrotta hopes the boost to his repair department can help his company avoid the same fate when the 9.5% nationwide reimbursement cut takes effect Jan. 1. Network Medical Supply retooled its business model two years ago, when CMS enacted a reimbursement cut of 27%, on average, for power mobility devices, Perrotta said. Its strategy:...

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State makes second bidding attempt

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

CONCORD, N.H.--Providers here feel uneasy about New Hampshire Medicaid's latest attempt to implement a competitive bidding program for incontinence supplies that they say will threaten beneficiary access and the provider network. Medicaid issued a request for proposals (RFP) for incontinence supplies in September to manufacturers, distributors and providers. The state issued a similar RFP earlier this year, but it rescinded the proposal following a meeting with members of the New England Medical...

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NRRTS panel adds two cents

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

TRINIDAD, Colo.--NRRTS hopes to have a panel of rehab providers in place soon to work with RESNA as the organization develops its first specialty certification in seating and mobility. “We're trying to find good regional representation for the panel, making sure that the right people are involved in the process,” said Simon Margolis, NRRTS's executive director. In August, RESNA announced plans to offer a specialty certification in mid-2009. The new certification is one of several changes...

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News

Medicaid invites association to the table

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The West Virginia Medical Equipment Suppliers Association (WVMESA) has sought a better relationship with the state's Medicaid program, and it looks like it's going to get it. In recent written correspondence, Medicaid indicated that drafts of its policy manual will now be routed through WVMESA to allow its board of directors or general membership to comment on proposed changes. The last time WVMESA was given such an opportunity was in 2006 when Medicaid revised the entire manual....

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Don’t overlook former employees

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

Q. What are some unique ways to find skilled HME professionals? A. Oftentimes, we forget easy-to-use methods for hiring that go beyond newspaper and on-line postings. Former employees There are different types of former employees: Employees who left to complete their education or to be stay-at-home parents; employees who left to assume positions elsewhere and who may be enticed back by different positions, promotions or higher salaries; retirees who might be interested in part-time or full-time...

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ATG Rehab breathes new Air

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

ROCKY HILL, Conn.--ATG Rehab continues to expand its footprint. The company announced in October that it acquired Air Products Seating and Mobility, a division of Air Products Healthcare. ATG Rehab will gain 50 employees and five locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia and Illinois. It's the second acquisition in as many months for ATG Rehab, which bought Bellevue, Wash.-based Wheelchairs Northwest in September. The deal gives ATG Rehab a foothold for future growth, said David Law, vice...

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Democrats romp Republicans

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

WASHINGTON--The new Democrat-charged political landscape presents the home medical equipment industry with both opportunities and challenges, according to stakeholders. Based on president-elect Barack Obama's statements about improving health care and his receptiveness to concerns about national competitive bidding, a Democratic administration will serve the industry well, stakeholders said. But having the party also in control of the House of Representatives and Senate may make it more difficult...

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No longer one-man show, Clark grows

November 30, 2008HME News Staff

CATSKILL, N.Y.--Clark Respiratory and Medical Supply celebrated its 20th anniversary in September with a four-day “thank you” event for customers and referral sources. The celebration kicked off Sept. 8 with a “Blood Pressure and PFT Day” and continued through the week with “Healthy Leg Day,” “Wheelchair Repair Day,” and “Women's Health Day”-all open to the public. Clark Respiratory also invited 375 referral sources to a reception and vendor...

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