Archive: June 2016
Industry's task remains unchanged, AAH says
June 30, 2016HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A second round of Medicare reimbursement cuts goes into effect in non-bid areas on July 1, but it's not time to throw in the towel, AAHomecare said in a bulletin on June 29.
“There's nothing like a crisis to help spur legislators to action,” the association stated. “We need to make sure that we let the House of Representatives and the Senate know that these cuts are taking rural providers and patients to the precipice of disaster.”
The Senate passed...
HHS proposes changes to appeal process
June 30, 2016HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on June 28 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on changes to the Medicare claims appeal process.
In the NPRM, HHS proposes additional administrative action to:
. expand the pool of available adjudicators with the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals;
. increase decision-making consistency among the levels of appeal;
. and improve efficiency by streamlining the appeals process so less time is spent by adjudicators and...
People news
June 30, 2016HME News Staff
James Newberry, a longtime practitioner and board member for the Board of Certification/Accreditation, passed away on June 27. He began his career as an orthotist/prosthetist while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Following his military service, he joined Mahnke's Orthotics and Prosthetics in Oakland Park, Fla., where he spent more than 40 years as owner, practitioner and director of orthotics/prosthetics. He was certified by BOC since 1984, when the organization was founded…Chris Roussos,...
Providers seek tax-exempt status for HME
June 30, 2016HME News Staff
LAS VEGAS - A group of providers on June 27 submitted more than 100,000 signatures to qualify an initiative to exempt certain HME from taxation for the November ballot, according to news reports. If it qualifies for the ballot, the initiative will ask voters whether certain HME, including oxygen tanks, ventilators and wheelchairs, should be exempt from the state's sales and use tax. Orthotics, prosthetics and certain other medical supplies are already exempt. Provider Doug Bennett of Bennett Medical...
Horton's O&P goes high tech
June 30, 2016HME News Staff
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Horton's Orthotics & Prosthetics now uses high-precision CAD/CAM scanning technology. The provider has acquired a Vorum CAD/CAM scanner and high-speed carver, becoming the first in the state to deliver a faster and more comfortable experience for patients needing new orthotic and prosthetic devices. This technology can digitally capture an amputee or injured patient's limb shape with a pinpoint level of accuracy, the provider says. “Technicians can them use the program's...
VGM's retail experts hit the road
June 30, 2016HME News Staff
ATLANTA - The 2016 VGM Retail Science Roadshow will culminate in an eight-hour show at Medtrade, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Atlanta. Before Medtrade, however, the roadshow will make pit stops in Louisville, Ky., on July 19 and Dallas on Sept. 13. The roadshow is a one-day, hands-on educational event sponsored by VGM and led by Jim Greatorex and Maria Markusen. It provides practical tips, techniques and strategies for retail business. Attendees will also learn from vendors about the latest and greatest retail...
Pressures mount in sleep market
June 29, 2016HME News Staff
NEW YORK - HME providers report sleep patient volume is still growing, but not as much as in the past.
Sleep patient volume grew 3.6% in the last 12 months and is expected to grow 6% in the next 12 months, according to respondents to the “HME Sleep and Oxygen Survey” for the second quarter of this year, conducted by Needham & Co., a subsidiary of The Needham Group, an investment banking and asset management firm.
However, sleep patient volume was 6.6% and 7.9%, respectively, in...
Top honors
June 29, 2016HME News Staff
Pediatric Home Service has been recognized as one of Minnesota's Top 150 Workplaces by the Star Tribune. PHS was named eighth best mid-size company. It's the sixth year in a row that the St. Paul, Minn.-based PHS has made the list …Rex Pharmacy has been named the 2016 Pharmacy of the Year by McKesson. The award recognizes independent pharmacies that are driving the future of independent pharmacies, according to a release. The Atlantic, Iowa-based Rex Pharmacy was honored at an awards ceremony...
ResMed secures contract
June 29, 2016HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - ResMed has been awarded a three-year supplier group-purchasing contract from Premier, a healthcare improvement alliance. The contract will enable Premier member hospitals and providers to offer ResMed's non-invasive ventilator products, according to a release. "Partnering with Premier also expands our market and provides us with more feedback from patients and providers to help drive our next innovations and keep pushing the boundaries in the medical technology space,” said Jon...
TotalCare launches sleep pilot
June 28, 2016HME News Staff
BROOMFIELD, Colo. - TotalCare eHealth has finalized its Sleep Apnea Continuum of Care Program and launched a primary care pilot program. The program will provide a digitally connected patient experience across the continuum of care to increase patient engagement, improve outcomes and reduce costs. The pilot location is South pointe Clinics in Lafayette, Colo. "We've always known that the key to effective sleep apnea management is at the primary point of care, and we are thrilled to have an enthusiastic...