Archive: March 2017
In brief: Philips buys pharmacy sleep services provider, Roche sues over alleged rebate scheme
March 31, 2017HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands, and SYDNEY - Royal Philips has signed an agreement to buy Australian Pharmacy Sleep Services, in a move that the company says will accelerate its home sleep testing offering through the pharmacy channel in Australia.“With the addition of APSS to our sleep and respiratory care business in Australia, Philips will be able to provide better access to home sleep testing for those who need it, where and when they need it,” said Kevin Barrow, managing director at...
Convaid revamps website
March 31, 2017HME News Staff
TORRANCE, Calif. - Convaid has launched a new website to provide a more user-friendly experience and optimized functionality. The website makes it easy to explore the company's line of pediatric wheelchairs, with how-to videos, customer insights, industry resources, an educational portal and an interactive community section. It also helps users “geo-locate” dealers anywhere in the world. The website is compatible with all browsers and mobile devices.
Roche sues pharmacies, supply companies
March 31, 2017HME News Staff
INDIANAPOLIS - Roche Diagnostics and Roche Diabetes Care have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Indianapolis, claiming they have wrongfully paid millions of dollars in rebates and lost millions of dollars in legitimate sales for blood glucose test strips at the hands of an alleged scheme by six pharmacies and medical supply companies. The lawsuit charges the pharmacies and medical supply companies with allegedly obtaining test strips from Roche that were intended for reimbursement under...
Talk politics at complex rehab conference
March 31, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Among the sessions at the upcoming National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference will be a panel presentation providing an overview of the healthcare issues, options and politics in Washington, D.C. Participating in the panel will be Eric Gascho, vice president of government affairs at the National Health Council; and Amy Cunniffe, principal, and Sarah Egge, senior manager, of the Washington Council at Ernst & Young. NCART says the session will be a “great primer”...
On the right track: VirtuOx tees up providers for better connectivity
March 31, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - VirtuOx is betting that its new tracking device is an idea with legs.VirtuOx launched VirtuTrack after a national HME provider approached the company to help it track usage for its fleet of oxygen transfill systems.“We started out with one idea, but we quickly realized there are a number of uses for this device,” said Kyle Miko, founder and COO of VirtuOx, a Medicare-approved IDTF for overnight oximetry and home sleep testing.VirtuTrack's chain-of-custody design...
Philips buys Australian pharmacy sleep services provider
March 31, 2017HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands, and SYDNEY - Royal Philips has signed an agreement to buy Australian Pharmacy Sleep Services, in a move that the company says will accelerate its home sleep testing offering through the pharmacy channel in Australia.
“With the addition of APSS to our sleep and respiratory care business in Australia, Philips will be able to provide better access to home sleep testing for those who need it, where and when they need it,” said Kevin Barrow, managing director...
CMS says CGMs cannot be used with other technology
March 30, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Medicare beneficiaries using Dexcom's G5 Mobile continuous glucose monitoring system cannot use smartphone apps or tablets to display glucose data if they want to have the CGM device reimbursed, according to recently released guidance from CMS. If a beneficiary uses a non-DME device (smart phone, tablet, etc.) as the display device, either separately or in combination with the CGM receiver classified as DME, the supply allowance is non-covered. CMS in January said it would classify...
Survey: Mail-order program reduces access
March 30, 2017HME News Staff
CHICAGO - Medicare's national mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies has sharply reduced beneficiary access, says a new survey from the America Association of Diabetes Educators.The “secret shopper” survey found that: • The number of brands available under the mail-order program has fallen 50% since the program started;• The number of models of diabetes testing systems available under the mail-order program is less than half the number available in 2009, before...
AAHomecare pulls together resources
March 30, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has collected resources and talking points for providers and state associations to use in discussions with payers. Providers can link to information on the CURES letter, pricing comparison by region, HME suppliers/locations by state and an HME cost study by Dobson DaVanzo to show the impact of drastic reimbursement reductions. Laura Williard, senior director of payer relations for AAHomecare,is working with several state/regional associations to support their meetings with...
Apria offers payment options
March 30, 2017HME News Staff
LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Apria Healthcare has partnered with CarePayment, a patient financial engagement company, to provide financing to patients. The 0% APR payment program allows individual to pay over time for their medical supplies and care, according to a press release. “Americans are increasingly burdened by the rising out-of-pocket costs in our healthcare system,” said Dan Starck, CEO for Apria. “Unfortunately, extended illnesses often leave them struggling to make ends meet....