Archive: October 2019
CMS issues final ESRD rule
October 31, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS on Thursday afternoon released an ESRD final rule that establishes a permanent home infusion therapy benefit in 2021 and establishes a methodology for establishing fee schedules for new DMEPOS items.
CMS published the proposed rule in July. The final rule will be published Nov. 8.
Home infusion
Per the rule, CMS will group home infusion drugs into three payment categories, each with a unit of single payment, paid at amounts in accordance with specified infusion codes and...
Rotech taps $50M for acquisitions
October 31, 2019HME News Staff
ORLANDO, Fla. - Rotech Healthcare has obtained a $315 million credit agreement to, in part, fuel strategic acquisitions.The agreement, with lenders SunTrust Bank, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Regions Bank and Fifth Third Bank, includes a $250 million five-year term loan, a $15 million revolving credit facility and a $50 million acquisition credit facility.“I am pleased with the completed refinancing,” said CEO Tim Pigg. “This agreement provides us with sufficient capital over the...
NCPA installs president, releases annual digest
October 31, 2019HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - Brian Caswell of Baxter Springs, Kan.-based Wolkar Drug has been named the 2019-2020 president of the National Community Pharmacists Association. “Both changing the payment model and pharmacy practice transformation are futuristic goals unimaginable even just a few years ago,” said Caswell. “NCPA strongly feels like this is the future of pharmacy. That future is possible today.” At the association's annual convention, held Oct. 26-29 in San Diego, the House of...
Take advantage of Medtrade Spring SmartSaver rates
October 31, 2019HME News Staff
LAS VEGAS - SmartSaver Rates are in now in effect for Medtrade Spring, March 3-5 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The spring show offers more than 160 exhibitors, educational programming, networking and the New Product Pavilion. SmartSaver rates expire Nov. 2. Register here.
Airway Management, ApriaDirect team up to distribute CPAP alternative
October 31, 2019HME News Staff
CARROLLTON, Texas - Airway Management has partnered with ApriaDirect to distribute its myTAP oral appliance to treat sleep apnea. The deal will allow Airway Management to leverage ApriaDirect's large CPAP distribution segment to expand its reach to non-compliant CPAP users, says founder Keith Thorton, DDS. “With CPAP non-compliance rates upward of 80%, we think we can do more,” he said. “By partnering with Apria Direct, we lead an industry shift by following patient demand for...
MobilityWorks shuffles location in Ohio
October 30, 2019HME News Staff
RICHFIELD, Ohio - MobilityWorks will host a grand opening for its newest location in Bedford Heights, Ohio, on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9. On tap for the event: tours of the new facility and a state-of-the-art accessible Winnebago; test drives of accessible vehicles; and food and refreshments. “We are excited to relocate from Mentor to the new, centrally located, state-of-the-art Bedford Heights location,” said Chris Paczak, chief marketing officer. “The new location will expand our reach...
Medela participates in mom-and-baby panel
October 30, 2019HME News Staff
MCHENRY, Ill. - Medela joined U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and the March of Dimes to host a panel on the racial disparities in the rising maternal and infant mortality rates in Chicago and the rest of the country. Panelists discussed key drivers behind these rising rates and interventions aimed at reducing them, including providing adequate education and resources to support breastfeeding. “Together, we have work to do to keep mothers and their babies healthy and safe,” said Melissa...
Condo Pharmacy's Steve Moore receives award
October 30, 2019HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - Steve Moore, PharmD, owner of Condo Pharmacy in Plattsburgh, N.Y., has been named the National Community Pharmacists Association's 2019 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year. The annual award, sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, is given to a pharmacist who exhibits exemplary professional leadership, service to community and commitment to independent pharmacy. Condo Pharmacy, which provides traditional, long-term care, compounding and specialty pharmacy services, is...
VGM Respiratory guides providers in sleep therapy, home ventilation
October 30, 2019HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM Respiratory has released two new resources on sleep therapy and home ventilation to help providers who are interested in expanding into these growing markets.Existing providers in these markets can also use the Sleep Program Guide and the Home Ventilation Management Program Manual to improve their operational efficiency.“These comprehensive guides are designed to be not only a starting guide for those entering the market, but also a tool to help experienced professionals...
NCPA launches CBD resource
October 29, 2019HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - The National Community Pharmacists Association has teamed up with PRS to launch the NCPA CBD Source, an online resource for community pharmacies looking for information on cannabidiol products. The goal of the resource: help community pharmacies make educated decisions about the growing CBD marketplace, the association says. “Many pharmacies are deciding to sell CBD products because of the patient demand and because, as the medication expert, they can serve as the source of truth,”...