Archive: August 2014
Judge issues mixed initial ruling in patent lawsuit
August 29, 2014HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO and LAKE WALES, Fla. - An administrative law judge at the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Aug. 22 made an initial ruling on ResMed's claims that Chinese manufacturer BMC Medical and its U.S. distributor 3B Medical have infringed on a number of its patents.ResMed reports that Judge Thomas Pender found that BMC/3B's InH2 humidifier and four of its masks (iVolve nasal mask, iVolve N2 nasal mask, Willow nasal pillows mask, and iVolve full face mask) infringe ResMed patents.BMC/3B points...
In brief: CMS seeks to exclude certified orthotic fitters, DeRoyal receives patent
August 29, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS would like to limit the provision of custom fitted prefabricated orthotics to “individuals with specialized training” like physicians. In addition to physicians, the agency defines those individuals as orthotists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and advanced-practical nurses. Not included on the list: certified orthotic fitters. CMS is accepting comments on the change, published in a recent proposed rule, until Sept. 2.DeRoyal receives patent for automated...
CMS applies 'logic' to documentation requirements for repairs
August 29, 2014Leah Hoenen
WASHINGTON - In the face of mounting pressure from industry stakeholders and advocacy groups, CMS has changed its tune about documentation requirements for wheelchair repairs.In an Aug. 1 notice, the agency states that the initial purchase of equipment by Medicare is enough to establish medical necessity, so when reviewing claims for repairs, contractors only have to review for continued medical necessity of the item and necessity of the repair.“It encouraged me that it's the first thing I've...
Industry on ice
August 29, 2014Leah Hoenen
It hasn't taken too long for the Internet-craze of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to reach our corner of the universe.
I've honestly not paid attention to this social-media phenomenon, other than laughing at a particularly off-centric friend who stood for a while in a disposal bin of ice up to his neck. Otherwise, I've been cheering on the Rice Bucket challenge.
But, as Don Clayback pointed out before dousing himself with ice water, the ALS fundraiser and National CRT Awareness Week are like hand and...
The week in acquisitions
August 29, 2014HME News Staff
PHILADELPHIA - SRA Healthcare, a spinoff private equity investment firm of SRA Capital, has acquired two HME providers in the Philadelphia region: Southampton, Pa.-based Total Medical Solutions and Bristol, Pa.-based Medical Express. SRA acquired the companies in separate transactions led by Paragon Ventures. Terms were not disclosed. The combined companies, which provide respiratory, wound care, mobility and related products in the home and in sub-acute care facilities, will form the operations...
Nationals show interest, but new proposals hang heavy
August 29, 2014Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - M&A activity picked up a bit in the second quarter as the HME industry reshapes itself into a more and more segmented market, say analysts.
“The respiratory guys want respiratory, but they don't want the low-end DME products,” said Don Davis, president of Duckridge Advisors. “They'll take them, but they aren't paying for them.”
The “hot” segments currently being targeted: oxygen and sleep therapy, and supplies, said Rick Glass,...
Aeroflow's focus shifts to national scale
August 29, 2014HME News Staff
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aeroflow has announced it's looking for companies to acquire as part of a strategic expansion of its DME business. Aeroflow recently announced that it acquired Hometown Respiratory to increase service in the High Point/Greensboro/Winston-Salem area. Before that, in January, it acquired AirCare. “The company is seeking to acquire strategic partners that can greatly accelerate its growth as its focus shifts to a national scale,” it states in a release. “Ideally,...
New entrant in consolidating software market
August 29, 2014Liz Beaulieu, Editor
LOS ANGELES - bflow solutions, a provider of cloud-based billing software to HME providers, now has 20 users and is amped up to add more.
“We're actively promoting our application in the market,” said Ted Jones, CEO, previously of the IB Network, an accreditation consulting company.
The company has been working behind the scenes to fine tune its software since 2012 and plans to attend its first Medtrade in Las Vegas next year.
bflow believes its niche in the market is integrated...
CMS seeks to exclude certified orthotic fitters
August 29, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS would like to limit the provision of custom fitted prefabricated orthotics to “individuals with specialized training.” The agency defines those individuals as orthotists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, advanced-practical nurses and physicians. Not included on the list: certified orthotic fitters. CMS is accepting comments on the change, published in a recent proposed rule, until Sept. 2.
DeRoyal receives patent for automated system
August 29, 2014HME News Staff
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - DeRoyal Industries has received a patent for Continuum, an automated system for medical item dispensing, billing and inventory management. “Our Continuum system automatically reorders durable medical equipment when the product is removed from its storage bin and correctly associates the product with the fitter, the patient and the billing codes, while automatically replenishing inventory,” stated President and COO Bill Pittman in a release. The patent was issued Aug....