Archive: July 2018
Bill targets MCO-related cuts to DME
July 31, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly that would help to address concerns surrounding 10% to 50% cuts to medical supply companies by certain managed care organizations, according to the Herald & Review. House Bill 5930, co-sponsored by Reps. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, and Gregory Harris, D-Chicago, would prohibit medical supply companies from being paid less than 10% below Medicaid “fee for service” rates by MCOs, the newspaper reported....
Study details increased Part A costs due to bid program
July 31, 2018HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group has added a study that shows the cost shift that is happening as a result of reduced access to DME for Medicare beneficiaries to its lobbying toolbox.
The VGM-sponsored study by Leitten Consulting shows that:
Fall-related injuries due to failure to provide needed mobility equipment results in a cost shift of between $4,705 and $5,029;
COPD-related exacerbations due to failure to provide supplemental oxygen therapy results in a cost shift of about $14,350;...
Invacare rebrands Top End
July 31, 2018HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare is refreshing its Top End wheelchair brand with a new logo and a new website set to launch in the third quarter. The new “t-racer” logo provides a visual representation of the brand: cutting edge, sleek and performance focused, Invacare stated in a press release. “The decision to rebrand Top End is about more than just changing the logo,” said Jonathan Miller, senior director, mobility and seating, at Invacare. “It's about promoting the incredible...
CU hits milestone
July 31, 2018HME News Staff
BILLINGS, Mont. - Computers Unlimited, developers of TIMS Software, celebrates 40 years in business this year. The company was co-founded in 1978 by Dr. Mike Schraer and is now run by President David Schraer. It has three different software application divisions for three different industries: medical, industrial and audiology. CU got its start by servicing local industrial gas and welding companies, expanded its services to HME companies in the 1980s and to speech, language and pathology companies...
'It's as much design as anything'
July 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
BILLINGS, Mont. - While some HME companies look to home modifications as a good “offshoot” business, Robin Campbell launched Accessible Home Solutions from the ground up about a year ago.
“We just thought there was an opportunity in our area, with it being a newer industry and with the builders not focused on it,” said Robin Campbell, who has worked as a consultant in the HME industry in the past.
Because many HME companies already have storefronts and referral bases,...
CBD has potential, but do homework
July 30, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
DAVIE, Fla. - From a chimpanzee with cerebral palsy to seniors with Parkinson's disease, CBD has a lot of potential but the market is young and it's important to tread carefully, say its proponents.“It's so new and so fresh,” said Arby Barroso, co-founder ad chief evangelist of Green Roads World, which is launching its CBD products in the HME market. “We see the market as definitely going in a medical direction, but I think there's also the over-the-counter market, similar to fish...
Efficiency at heart of connected care
July 30, 2018John Andrews
Keeping a tight lid on expenses is paramount for HME providers to keep their finances healthy, and technology can serve as an effective tool for reaching that goal, technology specialists say.Specifically, using connected care platforms for managing remote patient monitoring can help providers save time, effort and overhead costs while elevating clinical care quality. It also improves HME companies' competitive positioning in the marketplace, said Nick Knowlton, vice president of strategic initiatives...
Software companies debut fresh looks
July 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Universal Software Solutions and Team DME! are two other software companies refreshing their look. Here's why.'Shiny and new'Davison, Mich.-based Universal Software Solutions has been so busy developing products that its look has become “outdated and dull,” acknowledges Lisa Anderson, who works in education and outreach for the company.“Over the years, we just really wanted to deliver the best products we could—we didn't care if our logo was the most modern looking,”...
Billing: Prepare by self-auditing
July 30, 2018Ronda Buhrmester
A. Don't take for granted the documentation requirements for refill requests. CPAP supplies fall under the non-consumable guidelines, which are more durable requiring periodic replacement. Refills cannot be dispensed automatically; there needs to be communication with the patient to assess the need and must be documented making sure each requested item is being addressed. The request must include the patient's name (or authorized person), date of request, description of each item: non-consumable...
Q&A: Senior Needs eases access issues
July 30, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
MARYSVILLE, Tenn. - Timothy Hollis, who works in business development for Home Instead Senior Care in Marysville, Tenn., and its owner, David Kiger, recently launched Senior Needs to provide HME and supplies free of charge.“Wheelchairs can cost upward of $1,000,” he said. “Folks just don't have that type of money these days. They are retired. They are on Social Security. They are struggling when they should be thriving, struggling to get this equipment.”Hollis spoke with HME...