Archive: March 2014
Billing technology: Get staff plugged in
March 28, 2014Jennifer Leon
A. Contrary to popular belief, your patients will use online bill pay if you offer it. The key is getting your patients and your staff to believe in the same methodology when it comes to paying bills online. Surprisingly, baby boomers spend more time online than any other age group, according to eMarketer, a research analyst company. The 65-plus demographic has changed the way they pay—now your company needs to adapt that change and offer the right solution. Using online bill pay...
Wheelinit keeps it simple
March 28, 2014Leah Hoenen
FORT WORTH, Texas - Lessons learned had everything to do with the stripped-down, rugged and reliable van that the recently-launched Wheelinit sells to wheelchair users, says Managing Member Micah Mitchell. Here's what he and Business Development Director Bo Dennett had to say about creating the Wheelinit van and how it fits into the mobility van market.
HME News: Wheelinit's parent company rented wheelchair accessible vans for 15 years. How did that experience lead you to build the vans...
Roscoe Medical speeds into retail
March 28, 2014Liz Beaulieu, Editor
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Roscoe Medical went from a scattered handful of retail products to a full line with its recent acquisition of Los Angeles-based Revolution Mobility.“We've talked about emphasizing retail for a while and we saw this as a quick way of speeding up that process,” said Paul Guth, president and CEO of Roscoe Medical. “We're intent on delivering to our customers additional products that they can sell to help their businesses.”Revolution Mobility sells bath safety,...
Complex rehab: Greater investment, greater reward
March 28, 2014John Andrews
Despite its reputation for being a market filled with tough reimbursement protocols, advanced clinical client demands and highly technical equipment, the complex rehab market is being explored as a business option by a growing number of HME providers, manufacturers say.Despite the intricate maze of nuances that define the field, complex rehab is increasingly being seen as a viable alternative for HME companies that have been shut out of other markets due to Medicare's competitive bidding program....
Get fit at home with Just Home Medical
March 28, 2014Leah Hoenen
FULTON, Md. - Forget that gym membership—plenty of rehab and fitness exercises can be done at home with equipment from Just Home Medical's new exercise and fitness division. The online provider offers dumbbells, kettlebells, pedal exercisers, pulley systems, athletic wear and resistance bands, which are proving particularly popular.“We figured these products are great for rehab purposes and with the New Year, a lot of people make New Year's resolutions to get fit and lose weight,”...
AAH surveys providers on patient awareness
March 28, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare is conducting a short survey on the level of awareness among patients on Medicare issues and reform. The association will use the results of the survey as a benchmark to track the progress of its new patient awareness campaign, “Save My Medical Supplies.” Campaign resources and specifics will be shared in the upcoming weeks, AAHomecare says.
Whoa, Nellie!
March 28, 2014Guest Commentary
If you remember The Roy Rogers Show, you might remember Roy's sidekick, Pat, driving the old Jeep nicknamed Nellie Belle. On occasion, Nellie Belle would get out of control and Pat would yell, “Whoa Nellie Belle.”
Today, we have a different vehicle out of control: Medicare. Someone needs to holler “Whoa Nellie!” and put a stop to this runaway, out-of-control renegade before someone gets hurt.
HME providers, hospitals, physicians, and home health and...
Use strategic planning to prepare for future
March 28, 2014Guest Commentary
What is strategic planning and why do I need it? Strategic planning is an exercise by which you assess current trends and based upon those trends paint a picture of what you believe will be the work environment your company will likely face in the future. You must then take a proactive approach and determine how you will prepare for both positive and negative changes that will emerge.Strategy is a Greek military term that means joining the general with his army to achieve goals. The leader must understand...
Collections: Try a static pool analysis
March 28, 2014Kurt Lovell
A. It's not as clear as you might think. Like any metric, it's critical that you understand the key inputs that lead to your collection rate. Furthermore, being well informed about your measurement is the first step toward improving your results.A collection rate calculation needs to account for more than just total patient payments divided by total patient pay accounts receivable. Fluctuation in the number of patient encounters, age of existing accounts receivable, changes in payer mix, reimbursement...
Upstate, VNA 'package care'
March 28, 2014Leah Hoenen
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In the face of declining reimbursement, HME providers are finding innovative ways to provide care. For Upstate HomeCare, that means partnering with another healthcare provider and offering their combined services to hospitals.A new preferred provider agreement allows Upstate HomeCare and VNA Homecare, a Syracuse, N.Y.-based visiting nurse and homecare service provider, to offer hospitals, in particular, a “package of care” to patients in the home.“Nursing agencies...