Archive: October 2017
Draft bid bill draws 49 original co-sponsors
October 31, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A draft bill that would provide relief from competitive bidding in non-bid areas will have 49 original co-sponsors when it is introduced, according to AAHomecare and VGM Group.“Having a large number of original co-sponsors shows other members of Congress the strength and importance of the bill,” VGM stated in a bulletin to members on Tuesday.Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and David Loebsack, D-Iowa, plan to introduce in the first week of November, stakeholders say.VGM...
BOC showcases expanded office
October 31, 2017HME News Staff
OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation's staff and board of directors showed off an expanded new office location to business partners and honored guests during an open house on Oct. 6. During the open house, BOC made dedications honoring BOC founder Dr. Donald O. Fedder, James “Jim” Newberry, and Debbie Stem Smith. After founding BOC, Fedder served as its first CEO from 1984 through 2006. A few months before he passed away in 2010, BOC dedicated a prior office...
Nonprofit launches virtual DME expo
October 31, 2017HME News Staff
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - CureDuchenne has launched a new resource called the CureDuchenne Virtual Durable Medical Equipment Expo, according to Muscular Dystrophy News. The expo is an interactive online resource that allows caregivers and family members to access information about equipment from the comfort of their own homes. The website offers “exhibit halls” with information about products, as well as a chat room to help caregivers and family members navigate the challenges of dealing...
Stealth Products launches video game for wheelchair users
October 31, 2017HME News Staff
BURNET, Texas - Stealth Products has launched a video game that allows a pediatric wheelchair user to have fun while a parent or therapist conducts a driving assessment. “I'm a gamer myself and I started noticing the most popular games were not necessarily friendly to gamers with disabilities,” said Gabriel Romero, vice president of sales and marketing for Stealth Products, a manufacturer of head and body support/positioning products, joystick mounts, trays and seating. “We set...
Medtrade 2017: A shorter, but upbeat and refreshing, show
October 27, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ATLANTA - The mood at Medtrade 2017 was palpably up, say show organizers.
While attendance was down slightly, it was in line with projections and it was to be expected now that competitive bidding has forced about 40% of providers to close their doors, says Kevin Gaffney, group show director.
“(The mood) was significantly better than last year, to the point where I can feel it,” he said. “There's progress being made (on a number of industry issues) and good things are...
Barbara Smith: HME Woman of the Year embodies focus, fire
October 27, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ATLANTA - HME provider Barbara Smith says she's usually the one giving out awards, not receiving them, so when she was named the 2017 HME Woman of the Year at Medtrade last week, she was, needless to say, surprised.
“I had no expectation of winning,” said Smith, the CEO of Healthline Medical Equipment in Wichita Falls, Texas, where, over the past 25 years, she has worked her way up from sales rep to partner. “Being among the four finalists was incredible enough for me.”
Here's...
ResMed sees steady growth for mask sales going forward
October 27, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SAN DIEGO - ResMed officials made good on their word: Mask and accessories sales rebounded nicely in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018.
The company on Oct. 26 reported that mask sales grew 13% for the quarter in the Americas, compared to only 4% for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.
“I think we've got a really good runway ahead for growth,” said Mick Farrell, CEO, during a conference call to discuss earnings. “I don't think it's a catch-up. I think...
Numotion's on a mission
October 27, 2017HME News Staff
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Nine Numotion employees and a manufacturer representative traveled to Guatemala Oct 9-13 to deliver 100 wheelchairs and provide adjustments on an additional 20 chairs. This is the third year that the group, led by Numotion ATP Ryan Martin, has made the trip, which is coordinated by Bethel Ministries, an inter-denominational, nonprofit “wheelchair ministry” that provides mobility to the disabled in the country. In all, they have delivered about 450 wheelchairs to those...
ResMed posts 'strong' double-digit growth
October 27, 2017HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - ResMed reported revenues of $523.7 million for the first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2017, a 13% increase compared to the same period of the prior year. It reported a net income of $86.1 million, a 13% increase. For the Americas specifically, ResMed reported revenues of $296.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, an 11% increase compared to the same period of the prior year. “We started the fiscal year with strong 11% constant currency revenue growth led by our masks,...
Noridian clarifies LCD for surgical dressings
October 27, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Noridian has made several clarifications related to the local coverage determination for surgical dressings, including that the three types of wounds covered are independent of each other, AAHomecare reports. Noridian also clarified that collagen dressings can be used for a maximum of seven days and can be changed daily depending on the wound; hydrogel dressing is covered when the wound is not a pressure ulcer; and “the LCD's characterization of a wound as 'full thickness' or 'partial...