Archive: June 2014
How to make the world work better
June 30, 2014Liz Beaulieu, Editor
I get quite a few things in my email inbox that aren't quite the right fit for HME News. As I often have to explain to this PR person or that PR person, our niche in health care is pretty specific: home medical equipment.
I usually give these emails a quick read-through, anyway—what can I say, I'm a reporter and therefore curious.
Such was the case today, when I got a press release from a group called the American Society for Quality or ASQ. It bills itself as a “global community of people...
NSM makes buy in Rhode Island
June 27, 2014HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating and Mobility has acquired Providence, R.I.-based Major Medical Supply. “Complex rehab products and home access solutions are our greatest areas of expertise,” said Damon Bradley, CRTS, ATP and branch manager for Major Medical Supply, which has been in business since 2005. “Specifically, we provide custom mobility and seating solutions, combined with home access solutions, lifts and ramps.” Major Medical Supply's six complex rehab professionals...
Roll on Capitol Hill builds on momentum
June 27, 2014Leah Hoenen
WASHINGTON - Activists who rolled into Washington, D.C., June 22-24 found that advocacy efforts are paying off, as more congressional offices are well versed in the issues facing people with disabilities, including the need for a separate benefit for complex rehab.During the United Spinal Association's third annual Roll on Capitol Hill, activists made 200 congressional office visits and talked about better access to health care, disability rights, employment opportunities, protection of social security...
In brief: CMS doubles up on savings, complex rehab bill lands more co-sponsors
June 27, 2014HME News Staff
BALTIMORE - CMS's Fraud Prevention System (FPS) prevented more than $210 million in improper Medicare payments in its second year of operations, more than double the previous year, according to a report sent to Congress last week. The FPS, which uses predictive modeling and other analytics to analyze billing patterns, also resulted in CMS taking action against 938 providers. “CMS is using the best of private sector technology to move beyond the 'pay-and-chase' approach to protect the Medicare...
Reports point to mounting evidence of brand shakeup for diabetes supplies
June 27, 2014Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - Medicare's mail-order program for diabetes supplies has had a dramatic impact on the market, as evidenced by a pair of recent reports from the Office of Inspector General (OIG).“This is a rough look at what's available in the marketplace and it doesn't represent what was available in the marketplace prior to bidding,” said Andrea Bergman, a vice president with McDermott+Consulting, the lobbying subsidiary of a law firm that represents the Diabetes Access to Care Coalition.The...
Industry testimony 'moves' SBA
June 27, 2014Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - It wasn't the HME industry's first time testifying before the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) about overreaching regulatory burdens, but last week, something was different, stakeholders say.
“It was awesome,” said Peggy Walker, a billing and reimbursement advisor for U.S. Rehab, one of nine industry stakeholders to testify. “It was the best presentation we've ever done. I think we've finally gotten some attention.”
Stakeholders also...
Babycakes, it's Blue Friday
June 27, 2014Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
I'm not sure what Editor Liz Beaulieu thought when she perused the recent OIG reports on market share of mail order diabetes supplies but I took a look and thought, holy #@%*! It's not that a shift in market share was unexpected, but to see it in black and white was truly eye-opening.
The Prodigy AutoCode had captured nearly 25% of the market, while the so-called "Big Four" tumbled. It would, of course, be nice if the report had looked at the total diabetes market, but that was not the case (nor,...
AAH moves past anecdotes in audit fight
June 27, 2014Leah Hoenen
WASHINGTON - It's no secret that audits are out of control, but without data it's hard to build a case. That's the problem AAHomecare hopes to help the industry fix with its HME Audit Key.
“We're trying to make a stand that it's over the top, but we don't have any numbers to back that up,” said Kim Brummett, vice president of regulatory affairs for the association. “If we don't have any numbers that we can share, at the end of the day, it's all...
Binson's provides scholarships to children with diabetes
June 27, 2014HME News Staff
CENTER LINE, Mich. - Binson's Home Health Care Centers will cover all or part of the cost for 24 children to attend diabetes camp, according to a release. Scholarship applicants wrote short essays explaining why they wanted to attend a week of the American Diabetes Association Camp Midicha in Fenton, Mich. “There is no better way to give back to the community than providing opportunities to children with diabetes,” said Glen Closurdo, Binson's director of diabetes services. “Camp...
Use of home monitoring devices to hit 19.1M, report says
June 27, 2014HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - Three million patients used connected home medical monitoring devices worldwide at the end of 2013, according to a new report from Berg Insights. Researchers estimate that number will grow to 19.1 million by 2018. Driving growth: Trends in incorporating more connectivity in medical devices, and using personal mobile devices as health hubs. Connectivity is most common for implantable cardiac rhythm management devices, followed by sleep therapy. Glucose monitoring and air-flow monitoring...