Archive: January 2017
Senate Democrats delay Price's confirmation
January 31, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee have boycotted a vote on President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., according to news reports.
The committee was scheduled to vote at 10 a.m.
Democrats boycotted the vote due to “truly alarming news” of a Wall Street Journal report that Price received a special discounted rate for stocks of an Australian pharmaceutical company called Innate Immunotherapies,...
HME Audit Key: Submit data now, before it's too late
January 31, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The latest round of data gathering for AAHomecare's HME Audit Key closes on Friday, Feb. 3. The association is asking providers to enter data for the fourth quarter of 2016 using its free web-based survey. AAHomecare notes that individual data is not required, just cumulative counts of pre- and post-payment audits and appeal claim outcomes under DME MAC, RAC and SMRC reviews. “In addition to providing critical data for the campaign for audit reform, individual suppliers will...
Essential Medical Supply taps ARI for website services
January 31, 2017HME News Staff
MILWAUKEE and ORLANDO, Fla. - ARI Network Services is now the preferred website provider of the more than 2,000 independent dealers of Essential Medical Supply, a manufacturer of in-home medical and health-related products. ARI will offer Essential Medical Supply dealers special package pricing and discounts on their websites. ARI's websites give dealers easy access to Essential Medical Supply's full library of pre-loaded product data, and industry specific functionality, including a prescription...
AAHomecare to Tricare: Reprocess claims
January 31, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare is calling on the contractors administering Tricare military health plans nationwide to reprocess claims for HME for the last six months of 2016. Congress directed Medicare to do just that in a provision included in the 21st Century Cures Act passed in December. “Congress recognized the need to provide relief for home medical equipment companies operating under drastic Medicare reimbursement cuts,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “It's clear...
Reps. Crowley, Sensenbrenner introduce separate benefit bill for complex rehab
January 31, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Reps. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., and Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., have introduced a bill that would create a separate benefit for complex rehab technology. “This legislation would guarantee that patients have access to the high-quality products and services they need to lead a more independent life,” said Crowley, chairman of the Democratic Caucus. “For those with disabilities and other medical conditions, these complex rehabilitation technology products are necessities.”...
Arch Comfort finds new home in pharmacy
January 31, 2017HME News Staff
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Arch Comfort, which specializes in therapeutic and corrective footwear, has moved inside Harrold's Pharmacy, according to the local newspaper, The Times-Leader. The owners of Arch Comfort, both certified pedorthists, said the new location will give the company more visibility and allow it to accept more kids of insurances, the newspaper reported. Arch Comfort provides personalized fittings for braces and orthotics, a shoe lab for in-house modifications, a selection of name...
Automation: Prevent efficiency leakage
January 30, 2017Ellen Sluder
A. Automation is a powerful tool that helps reduce costs. What's exciting about automation is that it saves time and therefore money—a few minutes at a time throughout the day, resulting in a bank of saved time that can be redirected to high value activities.Automation at its core isn't about replacing people with technology, but rather elevating your staff by removing the tedious, non-value-added, busywork. For example: Eliminate the need to walk a file to a coworker's desk by automating the...
Interoperability: Leverage what's already there
January 30, 2017Nick Knowlton
A. Interoperability is simply the right information moving to the right place at the right time. As more referral sources have connected to the digital world, it is important for HME providers to electronically receive and share information to deliver better patient care, improve outcomes and enhance relationships with referral sources. The good news is, if you use an information technology system to share data—such as by automating patient orders or receiving completed forms—interoperability...
Online retail: Create a 2017 checklist
January 30, 2017Kamal Haddad
A. A website is a must-have to market your business, draw new visitors and inform your customers. The bigger question is, “What objectives are you trying to achieve with your website?” It's the beginning of 2017 and a great time to honestly compare what you have with what you want. Here are three website features to consider:Does your website look good? Is it easy to navigate? How does it look on a tablet or smart phone? Does it properly communicate your brand? You have one chance...
Billing: Ensure biller capabilities
January 30, 2017Ted Jones
A. The verb “make” implies constructing something by combining substances; and, that is exactly how to make a “good biller.” Good billers are observant, detail-oriented, able to communicate complex thoughts and ideas well, find solutions to complex problems and, most importantly, are studious.
In the world of billing there are many details that need attention: contract terms, fee schedule variables, modifier usage, payer specific billing requirements and much more. The...