Archive: February 2011
Rotech reduces losses, grows patient base
February 28, 2011HME News Staff
ORLANDO, Fla. - Rotech Healthcare ended 2010 on a strong note.
The provider on Feb. 28 reported net revenues of $496.4 million for 2010 compared to $479.9 million for 2009, an increase of $16.5 million. It reduced net losses from $21.1 million in 2009 to $4.2 million in 2010.
Rotech also reported net revenues of $123.8 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2010, compared to $123.2 million for the same period last year. It reduced losses from $4.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 to...
The competitive bidding chronicles: Month 2
February 28, 2011Jennifer Keirn
RxStat ready to 'jump in'
The time for wait-and-see at RxStat is over.
"Now's the time to jump in," said president Sam Jarczynski.
Last month, Jarczynski took an understandably cautious approach to marketing in the Orlando competitive bidding area (CBA), where RxStat is a contract supplier for sleep. He'd ramped up for the original Round 1, money he felt was "wasted" when it shut down.
But now Jarczynski's entering the fray, starting with becoming a subcontractor to a non-contract supplier...
2011 is the year
February 27, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa - Jerry Keiderling spent the better part of 2010 continuing to build up a program for Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA), a nationwide network of independently owned and operated providers and contractors who specialize in accessible home modifications and related products and services. Now he's ready for its coming out party.
"There are going to be some exciting things happening in 2011, including new marketing efforts that will entail a major event, as well as displays...
South Carolina: HME stakeholders buy time
February 27, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A group of HME providers in January successfully stalled the state's attempt to use a single-source provider for incontinence supplies for Medicaid recipients.
The state had awarded a contract to Long Term Care Inc., based in Several, S.C., but it was forced to scrap it after the group of providers filed protests.
"There was an agreement between all parties to stop the bid and stop the protests and kind of start over," said Ken Wells, one of the owners of Tucker-Wells Medical in...
Florida: Florida eyes managed care
February 27, 2011Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's next legislative session doesn't start until this month, but lawmakers were already making plans to overhaul the state's Medicaid program--a move that some industry stakeholders say could shut HME providers out of the program.
In November, lawmakers passed a resolution to try and expand a 2006 reform plan that would move all Medicaid beneficiaries into managed care plans. Currently, beneficiaries in five counties are enrolled in managed care. The industry beat back...
Colorado: Bill would clear up confusion over sales tax
February 27, 2011Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
DENVER - HME providers here are confident that a bill to exempt durable medical equipment from the state sales tax will be a no-brainer for state lawmakers.
"We have the right folks in our camp (and the right message)," said Doug Coleman, president of the Colorado Association of Medical Equipment Services and owner of Loveland-based Major Medical Supply. "The people that need these services are generally elderly or at-risk folks that are not financially well-heeled."
Introduced in January, H.B.11-1091...
NRRTS 'raises the bar'
February 27, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TRINIDAD, Colo. - NRRTS is shaking up what it means to be a registrant.
The group announced recently that beginning Jan. 1, 2012, it will begin requiring registrants to complete one continuing education unit (CEU) per year, which represents 10 contact hours.
"In the next two years, you're going to see an effort by NRRTS to really raise the bar and look at all sorts of ways to make sure registrants are best qualified," said Simon Margolis, executive director of NRRTS.
For this year only, registrants...
Leasing: Take off the rose-colored glasses
February 27, 2011LeAnn Kelly
Q. Why is your personal credit score so important to your business success?
A. Business owners regularly review numbers, but there's one number that they often overlook--their personal credit scores. Yet, because many of the businesses in our industry are closely held companies, part of a lender's review is an assessment of the owners and their personal credit scores. A credit report from any of the three major reporting agencies (Transunion, Experian, Equifax) can be part of a lender's decision....
Vendors to providers: We're here to serve you
February 27, 2011John Andrews
LAS VEGAS - The question certain to be circulating on the show floor at Medtrade Spring is "How can providers that didn't win a Medicare bid continue in the HME business?"
Some of the vendors exhibiting at the show, set for April 12-14 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, stand ready to offer their advice on what providers can do to survive in a post-competitive bidding climate.
Dale Nash, business development manager for wheelchairs at Port Washington, N.Y.-based Drive Medical, contends...
Jeff Baird: Weathering a 'perfect storm'
February 27, 2011John Andrews
Jeff Baird, chairman of the Health Care Group of Amarillo, Texas-based Brown & Fortunato and a member of the Medtrade Education Advisory Board, recently offered some of his thoughts about this year's seminar lineup.
HME News: Would you say this year's educational lineup at Medtrade Spring is the most important in the show's history?
Jeff Baird: That may be a bit melodramatic, but the Education Advisory Board (EAB) recognizes that the industry needs quality education in order to...