Archive: June 2019
Consumers make their presence known
June 28, 2019Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill, June 23-26, resulted in a record 250 visits with congressional offices, says Alexandra Bennewith.“That's the most we've ever done,” said Bennewith, vice president, government relations. “We had more than 100 advocates from more than 30 states, plus Puerto Rico. It was excellent.”The annual advocacy event addresses the issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with...
Accessories issue passes another hurdle
June 28, 2019Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - A bill in the House of Representatives that would temporarily stop Medicare from applying competitive bidding pricing to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs is headed to the floor for a full vote.The Ways and Means Committee passed H.R. 3429, the “HEARTS and Rural Relief Act,” with a voice vote after a “mark up” session on Wednesday, June 26.“This means the bill has been fully vetted, so it'll be much easier to get it to a full vote,”...
VMI shuttles elite athletes for Warrior Games
June 28, 2019HME News Staff
TAMPA - Vantage Mobility International (VMI) is volunteering drivers and wheelchair accessible vehicles to serve the military community at the Department of Defense's Warrior Games in Tampa, Fla., June 21-30. For 10 days, 16 VMI employees will use seven of the company's minivans to transport dozens of active-duty service members and veteran athletes between their hotels and various competition venues around Tampa, as well as Amalie Arena for the opening and closing ceremonies. An additional...
UroMed's exit creates void, especially for Medicaid patients
June 28, 2019Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
SUWANEE, Ga. - Providers say they've been fielding calls from patients scrambling to find a new source for urology and other supplies in the aftermath of UroMed's announcement that it will close on July 8.“We're getting multiple calls a day from customers that have no idea what to do or where to go,” said Chris Malcolm, president of First Source Catheters in Cumming, Ga., and a former employee of UroMed. “They are not being led in any direction one way or the other.”In its...
Audit round up: RACs cut checks, UPICs run roughshod
June 28, 2019Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - Nearly two years after Performant Recovery announced it would perform an underpayment review for Group 3 power wheelchair options, providers are receiving refund checks, says Andrea Stark.
Performant, the DMEPOS RAC, announced in May 2017 it would review wheelchair accessories, including seating systems, and seat and back cushions furnished in conjunction with codes K0848—K0864 for the six-month period of Jan. 1, 2016—June 30, 2016. The review was necessary because...
QIC will transition from C2C to Maximus
June 28, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - C2C Innovative Solutions has lost its bid to remain CMS's Qualified Independent Contractor for HME, according to AAHomecare.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based C2C has popularized a demonstration project that allows HME providers to speak with reconsideration professionals by phone to try and resolve their cases.
Last year, when CMS awarded the new QIC contract to Reston, Va.-based Maximus, C2C protested.
C2C will offer its last phone discussion on Sept. 15 and will complete all decisions...
Freedom Mobility Center redesigns website
June 28, 2019HME News Staff
MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Freedom Mobility Center has launched a newly designed website with an “intuitive user interface and enhanced functionality for seamless browsing on all types of computer and mobile devices.” “Our recent website upgrade is in line with our mission to provide a digital platform where people can find the information they need regarding Freedom Mobility Center's products and services,” said Tina Robertson of Freedom Mobility Center. “Our aim is to...
In brief: RMS buys Med City Mobility, SC holds back on some cuts
June 28, 2019HME News Staff
MINNEAPOLIS - Reliable Medical Supply has made its first acquisition since taking on an outside investor last year: Med City Mobility.
Med City, founded in 2000, has locations in Austin, Faribault and Rochester, Minnesota, providing complex rehab technology and HME.
“When we decided to launch an aggressive growth plan in late 2018, we targeted companies who share the same patient-centric attitude that has led to RMS's success,” said Debra Kalk, CEO of RMS. “By partnering...
Survey: Providers aren't jumping to buy POCs
June 28, 2019HME News Staff
NEW YORK - Providers expect only 2.6% growth in their POC purchases over the next 12 months, according to a new survey from Needham & Company.
This, despite also expecting POCs to increase from 21.5% of the ambulatory oxygen market to 31.5% over the next 12 months, according to the 2Q19 HME Oxygen, Sleep and Complex Rehab Survey.
Additionally, providers report Applied Home Healthcare's OxyGo as the highest rated POC at 5.1 out of 7, followed by Applied's OxyGo Fit.
On the sleep side,...
Southwest Medical receives award
June 28, 2019HME News Staff
LAS VEGAS - Southwest Medical, part of OptumCare, has been named one of the winners of the annual Intalere Healthcare Achievement Awards, according to Nevada Business Magazine. Southwest Medical, specifically its Southwest Medical Pharmacy & Home Medical Equipment division and its Pharmacy Transitions of Care Program, was recognized in the Quality/Patient Care Delivery and/or Patient Satisfaction category. Intalere, a healthcare services company, recognizes its members for their outstanding and innovative...