Archive: July 2009
'We think it's a game changer'
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
HARTFORD, Conn.--CareCentrix has worked quietly over the past 10 months, formulating a new strategic plan that ties in directly to healthcare reform. During that time, the benefits-management company - HME, home care and infusion - for private insurers has put in place a new executive team of healthcare professionals. Its mission: Prove that homecare services can “reduce a payer's inpatient costs while delivering improved and clearly measurable healthcare costs.” CareCentrix, which generated...
Norco banks on conservation
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
MERIDIAN, Idaho--Many providers are striving for employee efficiency these days, but Norco recently decided to make its newest building work smarter, too.
The provider just finished construction on a new 47,000-square-foot warehouse and retail showroom in Meridian. The new building is loaded with energy-saving features.
“We realized that with a large building like that, anything that would help save energy is going to be good for the environment,” said Chad Mendenhall, director of marketing...
GF gets domestic
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ATLANTA--As part of a “Back in the USA Strategic Initiative” announced July 7, Graham-Field (GF) has moved select manufacturing back to the United States. “Our customers are looking for unique products, greater flexibility relative to product features and more efficient logistics,” stated Lawrence de la Haba, senior vice president of business development, in a release. “Domestic manufacturing allows us to meet these needs.” GF's Patriotic Homecare Bed is the first...
Accreditation status needs to be verified
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--There's a chance that accreditation for home infusion may not pass muster with Medicare's quality standards for durable medical equipment and supplies (DMEPOS).
“It's not that they are not meeting CMS's quality standards, it's that they are not certified as meeting them by their accrediting organization,” said Bruce Rodman, vice president of health information and policy for the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA).
All providers who bill for Medicare Part B must...
New NEMED officers
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
HYANNIS, Mass.--The New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED) Association voted in new officers at its annual meeting in June. Tamme Dustin of Herron & Smith, Hooksett, N.H., will serve as president; Jack Hogan of Health Complex Medical, Waterbury, Conn., vice president; Chris Henry of The Medical Store, Burlington, Vt., treasurer; and Steven DeYoung of Home Medical Equipment Services, Manchester N.H., secretary.
ATG Rehab fast tracks paperwork
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ROCKY HILL, Conn.--ATG Rehab plans to arm all 70 of its rehab technology suppliers (RTSs) with customized tablet PCs by the end of the year, after beta testing showed the technology significantly increased their productivity.
As part of RTS Express, about 30 of ATG's RTSs already use the tablet PCs to complete documentation in the field and upload it wirelessly. As a result, RTSs like Brian Edwards now provide wheelchairs - from evaluation to delivery - in about 65 days. (The industry average, by...
Industry stages extreme makeover
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ATLANTA--A powerful group of industry leaders has convinced Medtrade to up its game and its value to HME manufacturers, providers and consumers.
“The last couple of years people were quite dissatisfied, but I think now we have it on the right track,” said Bill Elliott, president and CEO of The MED Group
Those on board with the makeover include Invacare, MED, Pride Mobility, Drive Medical, NCART, The VGM Group and many others. They impressed upon the industry's largest trade show the need...
Reduce fraud?
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
As a small mastectomy business, I offer a service to ladies who, at that time of their life, need all of the support they can get. I spend time with them, I call them to say hi, and I send them Christmas cards. None of this may interest you; I'm just trying to explain what a small business can offer. The reason I'm writing: If all of these new rules and regulations go into effect, all small businesses will be gone. For instance: the requirement for a $50,000 surety bond. Also, we now have paid out...
'Up' with home medical equipment
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
There is scene in the latest Pixar film, “Up,” where two men arrive at Carl Fredrickson's door intent on moving him from his home to Shady Oaks nursing home. Carl promises he will be along momentarily if the men will wait outside in their van. But instead of surrendering his home, he releases thousands of helium filled balloons tethered to his house, lifting it into the air and thereby escaping society's push to institutionalize this proud man. It's a triumphant scene - and one our legislators...