Archive: February 2012
Home Health Depot adds 14th branch
February 29, 2012HME News Staff
INDIANAPOLIS - Home Health Depot expanded its reach in northeast Indiana, opening a new branch in Fort Wayne, the provider announced Feb. 28.
The provider now has 14 branches—seven in the state, along with Illinois, Iowa and Michigan.
"As a result of our Fort Wayne expansion, we are proud to be able to serve more Hoosiers in Northeast Indiana," stated Nathan Feltman, president of Home Health Depot, in a release. "We believe our focus on offering a one-stop shop, full continuum of care...
Tough act to swallow
February 28, 2012Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
It's only fair that I follow up my earlier Paula Deen blogs with an update. According to this story, the Queen of Butter has dropped two sizes, which she attributes to walking 30 minutes a day and cutting her portion sizes in half (yikes, how big were they?).
What I like about this is that she made some lifestyle choices to get healthier, rather than relying solely on medication for her blood sugar (I use insulin, so can't speak to how some of those Type 2 meds work). Its one of my biggest pet peeves...
Product design and marketing unite
February 28, 2012Liz Beaulieu, Editor
MUNDELEIN, Ill. - Rich Derks, the new president of Medline's DME Division is the total package: He has an undergraduate degree in engineering and an MBA in marketing. “Usually you have an engineer who knows nothing about how products are sold, or a marketer who knows nothing about how products are built,” he said. Here's what Derks had to say about how he plans to use this experience to make Medline a stronger company for DME providers.
HME News: Medline also sells DME to hospitals and...
Medtrade Spring embraces West Coast 'vibe'
February 27, 2012John Andrews
LAS VEGAS - Medtrade Spring doesn't aspire to be Medtrade "Fall." It is smaller, shorter and more relaxed than Nielsen's flagship expo in Atlanta. Yet Medtrade Spring has unique attributes that allow it to stand on its own, says Group Show Director Kevin Gaffney.
Slated for April 10-12 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Medtrade Spring incorporates many of the same elements that make the Medtrade brand popular, while offering some different aspects that attendees should find appealing, he...
Bariatrics shows no signs of slowing down
February 27, 2012John Andrews
Obesity has been a health problem in the United States for quite some time and statistics show that it's only getting worse. That has created a growing need for a bariatric-sized medical equipment market--a category that has been gaining weight in the HME industry for a number of years.
Jean Sayre, director of clinical education for Bozeman, Mont.-based The Comfort Company, says obesity, while prevalent, is still not getting the attention it should by the public.
"It is more of an epidemic than...
Bid education shift to Round 2 aftermath
February 27, 2012John Andrews
Unlike previous competitive bidding educational programs, the Medtrade Spring 2012 conference will focus on the aftermath of Round 2.
Still, the Medtrade Educational Advisory Committee has put together a solid program on competitive bidding for attendees even though the focus has shifted, said Group Show Director Kevin Gaffney.
"We feel it will be as big an issue as ever if not more so," he said. "Even with bids due by March 30, we would expect there to still be lots of questions and concerns and...
ResMed spends big on R&D
February 27, 2012Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SAN DIEGO - ResMed in January reported $332.7 million in revenue for the second quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011, a 9% increase compared to the same quarter in 2010. It reported a net income of $62.9 million, an 8% increase.
Also of note in the company's earnings: ResMed reported research and development expenditures of $27.2 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2010. That raised some eyebrows in the investor community.
During a conference call to discuss...
O2ool, Branch Out Cider and Shark Tank
February 24, 2012Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Ahhhh, when I was much younger and writing my "Wheels in Motion" blog about all things mobility, I'd often post something fun on Fridays.
You know, something about a wheelchair that could be controlled with your eyes.
Now that I'm older and writing this "On the Editor's Desk" blog, I feel like I've been writing about more mature topics, like competitive bidding and FDA negotiations and layoffs.
(There's an occasional anomaly, like this "rock star" post on the HME Excellence Awards.)
But Managing...
Stark: Auditors dip toes in home infusion
February 24, 2012Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
As auditors wade into home infusion documentation, providers can expect to see the scope and volume of audits rise.
"As the auditors are getting their toes in the water, they are adding more to the list," said Andrea Stark, a reimbursement consultant for MiraVista, a billing and consulting firm in Columbia, S.C.
Stark will give a presentation at the National Home Infusion Association's annual conference, held April 23-26, called, "Medicare Reimbursement Audits: Understanding the Types, Trends...
Ready to go big
February 24, 2012Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
HARRISBURG, Pa. - After 30 years in the home medical equipment business, provider Terry Luft is ready for the big time.
His company, Dynamic Healthcare Services (DHS), was acquired in January by Newtown Square, Pa.-based GMH Ventures, a family-owned private equity firm. The deal will allow DHS to build scale, something Luft says is crucial for survival.
"Our goal is to put a very large footprint on the state of Pennsylvania (and its border states)," said Luft, CEO. "There's plenty of organic growth...