Archive: October 2018
Arcadia, Amazon launch Choice
October 30, 2018HME News Staff
SEATTLE - Arcadia Group has launched an Amazon-exclusive brand of consumer-use medical devices for diabetes and hypertension management.
The Choice brand will start with a range of blood glucose and blood pressure monitors, both with supporting mobile apps offering tracking, data mobility and reminders.
“The Choice brand is all about accessible wellness,” said Bob Guest, CEO of Arcadia Group. “Consumers no longer need to drive to a store to stand in line and purchase their...
Do you have the door wide open to write-offs?
October 30, 2018Guest Commentary
“We're going to have to write this off.” A phrase that no manager wants to say or hear in their business. Unfortunately, many HME companies still use paper-based systems to track patient documentation and forms, which opens the door for write-off risks.
With paper comes the potential for lost documents and human error. Below are the top three pain points providers regularly experience using paper-based systems and how switching to an electronic system can alleviate risk and avoid...
Numotion to have new owner soon
October 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Numotion has signed a definitive agreement to sell to AEA Investors, a company exec has confirmed to HME News.
AEA Investors is a New York-based middle market private equity firm that currently has $11 billion under management.
“This new partner is excited to continue Numotion's mission to provide customers with market-leading products and services that will enable them to actively participate in everyday life,” said Bret Barczak, chief marketing officer...
Equipment managment: maximize ROI
October 30, 2018Will Ross
A. The decision between buying or renting equipment has challenged business owners for years. The question most business leaders ask is “Do I have the right systems and processes in place to get a good ROI on what I purchase?” Here are the areas you need to focus on to get the best ROI on your equipment:
Negotiate price, warranty and financing
Think about the total offer from the beginning. Manufacturers have many levers to pull to keep your business; be a smart purchaser....
Task force teases out issues
October 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ARLINGTON, Va. - The Clinician Task Force (CTF) has given stakeholders more ammunition in their fight to stop CMS from applying competitive bidding pricing to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs.The CTF in September wrote a letter to Reps. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., and John Larson, D-Conn., sharing examples from clinicians of how the cuts have impacted their ability to provide the most appropriate equipment to Medicare beneficiaries.“It is very clear to those of us who routinely evaluate...
NHIA to CMS: Don't 'shortchange' home infusion
October 30, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - With a final rule not expected until November, industry stakeholders continue to press CMS for changes to provisions related to home infusion.Board members of the National Home Infusion Association and others met with Demitrios Kouzoukas, principal deputy administrator of CMS and director of the Center for Medicare, on Sept. 17 to urge the agency to strike a provision that would require that a nurse be present in the home the day an infusion drug is administered. “To the extent...
Market opportunity: Consider this: To expand or not?
October 30, 2018Rob Schlissberg
A. As a provider you undoubtedly face many challenges, whether from changes in reimbursement, staffing, operations, or competitive pressures. With all these potential focus areas, it's hard to determine where to allocate your limited resources. For some, growth and diversification is the answer.Why? This is ultimately the question you need to ask yourself. Why do I want to expand, and why is it important? When working with a provider partner, the biggest question we ask is, how many of your patients...
Obi delivers function—and form
October 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
DAYTON, Ohio - DESiN and its Obi robotic eating device have been making a mark on the complex rehab industry. First, The VGM Group and U.S. Rehab included Obi as one of the pieces of equipment they donated to children during their Heartland Conference in June, and then National Seating & Mobility announced that it was partnering with DESiN to distribute the device nationwide in August. Here's what Scott Stone, former vice president of customer experience for the company, had to say about...
Business operations: Answer these five basic questions
October 30, 2018Anne Orrick
A. A collection policy is the set of procedures your company will follow to ensure payment of patient accounts. To cover the key elements in your policy, answer these five basic questions:What are your collection goals?Always start with the end in mind, so establish your collection goals. Industry goals to consider include: days sales outstanding, clean claim ratio, open order days, hold days, cash recovery rate, denial rate, write-off rate.How will those goals be measured?Goals should use SMART...
Aeroflow names RN to lead new division
October 30, 2018HME News Staff
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aeroflow Healthcare has tapped Michelle Worley, a registered nurse, to manage its new pulmonary division. Formerly the company's sleep division, Aeroflow Pulmonary incorporates more products and services, such as ventilation and the AffloVest mobile airway clearance therapy. Prior to this role, Worley was Aeroflow's clinical operations manager, responsible for leading the clinician's team. “Michelle's experience with Aeroflow and as a registered nurse makes her ideal to lead...