Archive: February 2009
Audits increase: 'Everyone's grabbing for that quarter'
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
With the economy tanking and Medicare fraud and abuse booming, it's no surprise that industry attorneys recently reported an increase in audits. When HME News caught up with them recently, they advised providers to tread carefully on a number of fronts.
'Keep an eye out'
After about two years of minimal activity, industry attorneys have noticed an uptick in the number of providers being audited by the DME MACs, the PSCs and even commercial insurers.
“When the money is flowing, no one goes after...
Economic downturn stalls collections...
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
For many HME providers, the economic downturn has made the difficult task of collecting patient co-pays next to impossible.
With cash strapped consumers putting their medical bills on the back burner, sources say, it's no longer enough for providers to send out monthly statements and expect to be paid.
“You have to be proactively calling the patients explaining to them why they owe what they do,” said Mike Bargmann, vice president of sales for Akron, Ohio-based Bargmann Management, which...
Move away from 'pulse hiring' in downturn
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
We all know that hiring quality employees is important. We could say that now, more than ever, it's critical to have the right steps in place to identify, qualify, hire and retain quality team members. But in reality, it's always the right time for that.
Still with the downturn in the economy, we should be looking at interviewing and hiring in a new light. While unemployment is up and there are significant layoffs, we have a tremendous opportunity to grab on to some new blood for our team. Consider...
VGM taps into home modification
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa--The VGM Group has launched a new company, Accessible Home Improvements of America (AHIA), to tap into the “exploding” home modifications market, it announced in February. “We can help many of our VGM and U.S. Rehab members diversify into home modifications,” stated Jim Andreassen, president of AHIA, in a release. “Diversification into other areas of business such as this may be a key to profitability in today's world of increasing costs and declining...
Diversify with versatile bath safety products
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
In a climate of severe reimbursement cuts and an oxygen cap, business diversification has become a must for HME providers. That's why those who have dismissed bath safety in the past as not being worthwhile may want to take another look at the market, manufacturers say.
First off, there is more to bath safety than meets the eye. The market goes beyond decorative faucets, benches and elevated commodes into sophisticated safety concepts for mobility-challenged patients. As with other key business areas,...
Eagle Health coasts without sales reps
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
ORANGE, Calif.--When sales reps didn't seem to be working out for Eagle Health Supplies, the manufacturer of bath and shower benches went without.
Surprisingly, Eagle Health hasn't noticed much of a difference in sales, says Brent Yamamoto, marketing manager.
“Everyone has been hit by the recent economic downturn,” he said. “But aside from that, it has been business as usual.”
So much so, that Eagle Health has been without outside or inside sales reps for two years now.
Soon...
Alliance expands coast to coast
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas--Despite a 9.5% nationwide reimbursement cut for complex rehab products and an economic downturn, Alliance Seating & Mobility (ASM), the complex rehab division of The Scooter Store, has ambitious growth plans.
“Our plan is to be coast to coast in 58 markets by the end of the year,” said Freddie Cervera, vice president and general manager of ASM.
ASM has 23 locations across the country and employs 28 assistive technology professionals or ATPs.
ASM hopes to grow three...
Oxygen coalition seeks one voice
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va.--Sensing a need for urgency, AAHomecare has formed a coalition to build consensus among various industry stakeholders to reform the Medicare oxygen benefit.
The New Oxygen Coalition (NOC) had its first teleconference Feb. 3, amid a growing number of horror stories from providers and beneficiaries about post-cap life.
“Whatever plan is put together, the industry has to be moving in a coordinated fashion,” said Tyler Wilson, AAHomecare's president. “The most counterproductive...
Industry muddles through
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine--A little pre-emptive belt tightening on the part of providers has enabled many of them to weather the overall economic slump.
With the 36-month oxygen cap and the 9.5% reimbursement cut starting on Jan. 1, providers were already anticipating a lean year.
“A lot of people spent the last year re-engineering their businesses,” said Bob Leonard, an analyst with The Braff Group, an M&A firm in Pittsburgh. “It's harsh but they are getting through.”
Cost cutting...
Calling all CPAP haters
February 28, 2009HME News Staff
It might seem counterintuitive, but Dr. Ira Shapira wants to increase public awareness of sleep apnea though his new Web site, ihatecpap.com. The Chicago-based dentist is not anti-CPAP, he says, but the machines simply don't work for everyone. By reaching out to those patients who have been “lost to sleep medicine,” he figures he can get them treated, either through an oral appliance or, with better education, back to CPAPs.
HME News: Your Web site has a catchy name.
Dr. Ira Shapira:...