Archive: March 2019
Belluscura readies to launch X-PLO2R
March 29, 2019Liz Beaulieu, Editor
PLANO, Texas - Belluscura, a U.K. company that licenses and develops proprietary healthcare technologies, plans to launch a portable oxygen concentrator named the X-PLO2R in the U.S. market in the back half of this year.In March, Belluscura, which is headquartered in Plano, Texas, was in the middle of trying to raise funds to complete the regulatory clearance process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and launch the unit.“We've already raised $6 million, so it's not our only source...
In brief: Lincare has bought Southwest provider, Xealth receives investment from Philips, ResMed
March 29, 2019HME News Staff
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Lincare Holdings, a subsidiary of Linde Group of Germany, has acquired Preferred Homecare/Lifecare Solutions, a portfolio company of Beecken Petty O'Keefe of Chicago, according to PE Hub Healthcare.
Preferred Homecare provides a full range of HME, including respiratory, complex rehab and NPWT products, from 22 locations, largely in Arizona, but also in Colorado, California and Nevada, according to its website.
Beecken Petty O'Keefe, a healthcare-focused private equity...
Xealth receives investment from Philips, ResMed
March 29, 2019HME News Staff
SEATTLE - Xealth, a digital prescribing platform, has raised $11 million in a Series A financing round with new investments from healthcare companies like Philips, ResMed and McKesson.
The company says the investment will “fuel the expansion of Xealth's platform, better connecting patients and doctors.”
“With these new partners joining our existing investors and customers, Xealth will be serving virtually every sector of the healthcare industry—providers, payers,...
Medtrade Spring preview: Don't get 'railroaded' by MCOs, says speaker Pam Colbert
March 29, 2019Tracy Orzel
LAS VEGAS - Now that Medicare and Medicaid are turning to managed care organizations (MCOs) more and more to cut costs, HME providers must be vigilant to make sure they get a fair deal, says Pam Colbert, an attorney with Brown & Fortunato. HME News recently spoke with Colbert, who is hosting two sessions at Medtrade Spring this year related to MCOs, about what providers need to know to play ball in this market and how to get paid.HME News: What are we dealing with here: How many Medicare and Medicaid...
Mystery surrounds nat'l mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies
March 29, 2019Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - With the national mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies on hold indefinitely, it's anybody's guess what will happen next.“We were all expecting another round—we still are,” said Mary Ellen Conway, chief compliance officer for Doral, Fla.-based US Med, one of nine companies holding a mail-order contract that expired Dec. 31, 2018. “We make the program work. The reimbursements are lousy, but there's strength in numbers.”CMS on March 7 announced...
Road to Round 2021: New calculator highlights 'bid ceiling,' comparisons
March 29, 2019Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - Stakeholders have updated an industry website dedicated to competitive bidding information with a calculator to help HME providers formulate their bids for the next round of the Medicare program.
The calculator, which can be found at www.dmecbpeducation.com, is part of a larger effort by stakeholders to educate providers about Round 2021, an effort that will also include webinars.
“Lead-item pricing can look simple, but it's not,” said Cara Bachenheimer, chair of...
RESNA calls for nominations
March 29, 2019HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The RESNA board of directors seeks nominations for the annual RESNA Awards. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering or their service to RESNA. “The response from RESNA's professional network is essential for our committee to identify those who have gone above and beyond promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing...
Senators commend assistive technology professionals
March 29, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., filed a resolution on March 11 to designate March 27 as “National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.” Senate Resolution 103 commends assistive technology specialists and program coordinators for their hard work and dedication to serving people with disabilities who are in need of finding the proper assistive technology to meet their individual needs; and professional organizations and researchers who are dedicated to facilitating...
Are you commonly owned or controlled?
March 29, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The CBIC on March 26 asked providers to review their enrollment record in preparation for Round 2021 of national competitive bidding. Specifically, the CBIC asked providers to review if they are commonly owned (one or more providers has an ownership interest totaling at least 5% in the others) and/or commonly controlled (one or more providers are also an officer, director or partner of another provider). Commonly owned and/or commonly controlled providers are prohibited from competing...
Medicaid fraud unit obtains millions in recoveries
March 28, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Medicaid Fraud Control Units obtained 1,503 convictions in fiscal year 2018, including 1,109 convictions for fraud and 394 convictions for patient abuse or neglect, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General. Fraud conviction accounted for about 73% of all convictions for the last five years. Criminal recoveries in fiscal year 2018 were $314 million—less than half of the amount recovered in 2017, but on par with fiscal years 2014-2016, according to the report....