Archive: August 2015
New contract period has pros and cons, say providers
August 28, 2015Tracy Orzel
YARMOUTH, Maine - HME providers are on the fence over whether the shorter contract period for Round 1 2017 is a draw or a deterrent.“If you didn't get a contract, you know you could rebid in two years instead of three,” said Debra McMenamin, owner of Pro-Serv Medical in Pittsburgh. “If you did get a contract, then you have to go through the whole thing again—one year sooner—which is stressful.”Stakeholders speculate that CMS made the switch from a three-year to...
Plaintiff reaches proposed settlement with Invacare
August 28, 2015HME News Staff
NEW YORK - The lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Invacare has reached a proposed settlement of $11 million in cash, according to a statement from lead counsel Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman.A hearing for Government of Guam Retirement Fund et al vs. Invacare will be held Nov. 9 before Christopher Boyko in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division in Cleveland.Boyko will determine whether the proposed settlement should be approved as fair, reasonable...
Prosthetic community ups ante
August 28, 2015Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
LINTHICUM, Md. - O&P stakeholders commented at a public hearing, staged a protest and participated in a high-stakes meeting with CMS, all in one day, in their bid to reverse proposed coverage changes for lower limb prostheses.
“These changes are mean spirited,” said Charles Dankmeyer, president of the American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association, during a press call rallying stakeholders for the week's various events. “It is obviously designed to wear people down so they...
Convaid goes back to school
August 28, 2015HME News Staff
TORRENCE, Calif. - Convaid is offering customers free wheelchair safety checks at their local dealers today. "This is a great opportunity for Convaid users to circle back to their dealers to make sure their Convaid is in top working order and still fits optimally to make sure each child is best outfitted for mobility at the onset of the school year," said CEO Chris Braun in a release. To that end, the wheelchair manufacturer is also offering seat extensions for children who may have grown over the...
In brief: Plaintiff reaches proposed settlement with Invacare, United Health dominates MA market
August 28, 2015HME News Staff
NEW YORK - The lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Invacare has reached a proposed settlement of $11 million in cash, according to a statement from lead counsel Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman.
A hearing for Government of Guam Retirement Fund et al vs. Invacare will be held Nov. 9 before Christopher Boyko in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division in Cleveland.
Boyko will determine whether the proposed settlement should be approved as fair, reasonable...
MSD acquires patient app
August 28, 2015HME News Staff
STOUGHTON, Mass. - Medical Specialties Distributors has acquired Verbal Applications, also known as VerbalCare, a developer of apps that allow patients to communicate better. “The strategic combination of MSD and VerbalCare enhances the 'Total Enterprise Solution' we provide our customers, which includes other technology products designed to help our customers improve efficiency and patient outcomes,” said Jim Beck, CEO of MSD, in a press release. Verbal Applications will...
MIT reports first profitable quarter
August 28, 2015HME News Staff
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - MIT Holding, which has subsidiaries in home infusion and HME services, reported its first profitable quarter for the second quarter of 2015. The company implemented a turnaround plan last year and is now looking to grow, according to a press release. “In addition to organic growth goals of 20-25% per year on existing business, we expect acquisitions and the opening of new facilities in untapped geographic locations throughout the United States,” said Tom Duncan,...
New national RAC for HME?
August 28, 2015Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - A tug of war between CMS and the RACs over planned changes to contingency fees could lead to a new national RAC for HME, says Andrea Stark.
As part of its latest requests for proposals, CMS announced plans to implement a number of changes to its RAC program and one, in particular, has driven two contractors to file protests: The agency wants to prevent the RACs from collecting contingency fees until the second level of appeals is exhausted.
“CMS has paid out beaucoup...
Analysis reveals worsening appeals backlog
August 27, 2015HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The wait time for DME appeals at the administrative law judge level has increased by nearly 25% during the first half of 2015, according to an analysis released by AAHomecare.
“It is painfully obvious that this system is broken, but no measures are being taken to fix the root of the problem,” said Kim Brummett, vice president of regulatory affairs at AAHomecare, in a release.
Despite reports from the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals indicating improvement,...
Itamar gets injection of capital
August 27, 2015HME News Staff
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - Viola Private Equity has committed to invest up to $28.4 million in Itamar Medical, the manufacturer of the WatchPAT home sleep test. “An investment of $30 million will enhance the execution of Itamar Medical's growth strategy and the leveraging of the many financial opportunities we are identifying in the market,” said Gilad Glick, CEO of Itamar Medical, in a release. Viola Private Equity, an Israeli-based technology growth capital and buyout fund,will become the...