Archive: March 2020
CMS opens access to respiratory therapy
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Medicare will cover respiratory related devices and equipment for any medical reason determined by clinicians during the coronavirus pandemic, CMS announced last night.Previously, Medicare only covered them under certain circumstances.“Clinicians now have maximum flexibility in determining patient needs for respiratory related device and equipment and the flexibility for more patients to manage their treatments at the home,” the agency states. “The current NCDs and...
Package includes permanent change to ordering
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The stimulus package passed last week also includes provisions that allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists to order DMEPOS and home health services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, AAHomecare reports.Previously, PAs, NPs and CNSs were only able to order DMEPOS for Medicare beneficiaries, not Medicaid beneficiaries.“These provisions will significantly improve Medicaid patient access to DMEPOS by allowing highly skilled physician assistants...
Aulisa positions remote monitoring as solution
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Aulisa Medical says it is working with government officials at FEMA and in Washington state and New York to increase access to its wearable wireless vital sign monitoring systems during the coronavirus pandemic. The company's Guardian Angel devices, which are FDA approved and HIPAA compliant, monitor pulse rate, oxygen saturation and perfusion index, offering continuous remote monitoring. They also offer alarms, two-way audio and video communication. Aulisa currently has CPT coding...
Lunella streamlines sleep apnea diagnosis
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
BOSTON - Lunella has launched today, allowing consumers to go through the entire process for a sleep apnea diagnosis from testing to a prescription for therapy if needed, all from their homes. Lunella leverages a collaboration with Itamar Medical and its FDA-cleared WatchPAT ONE to test for sleep apnea; and a network of independent board-certified sleep physicians to interpret confidential test data and prescribe therapy if needed. “We believe one of the biggest obstacles to diagnosing sleep...
McKesson responds to PPE shortage
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
IRVING, Texas - McKesson has put restrictions in place for personal protective equipment, including limiting orders to only current customers and monitoring how much they're ordering. “Unfortunately, customers may not be able to get enough PPE from McKesson to satisfy their needs,” the company stated in an update. “The demand for PPE continues to increase daily in the U.S., compounding the unprecedented global surge in demand for these items that started in late January. In addition...
van Halem Group, Ossur build confidence
March 30, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ATLANTA - The van Halem Group has been given the “stamp of approval” by Ossur to provide clinical prescreen reviews and appeals services for custom orthotics and prosthetics for the manufacturer'scustomers.“It's a testament to Ossur and its allegiance to its customers to reach out to us on their behalf and seek out an arrangement like this to assist them,” said Wayne van Halem, president of the van Halem Group.The van Halem Group will provide, among other things, a prescreen...
Stakeholders pound pavement in Florida
March 30, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TALAHASSEE, Fla. - The state of managed care in Florida motivated Sylvia Toscano, a long-time industry consultant, to visit the state capitol for the first time in January.“To see these unhealthy patterns happening with MCOs and TPAs in the state has been upsetting,” said Toscano, who was part of a group of more than a dozen members of the Florida Alliance of Home Care Services (FAHCS) to make the trip. “I'm seeing small providers just shutting down because of it. That's what got...
CMS accelerates payments to providers
March 30, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS announced on Saturday that it is expanding its accelerated and advance payment program for Medicare participating health care providers, including DME providers, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Accelerated and advance Medicare payments provide emergency funding and address cash flow issues based on historical payments when there is disruption in claims submission and/or claims processing.
“With our nation's health care providers on the front lines in the fight against...
Diabetes providers deal with changing dynamics
March 30, 2020John Andrews
Medicare reimbursement in the diabetes market has constantly slid downward, thwarting even meager margins on diabetic products.If HME providers have a future in the category, it may depend on their commitment to selling products for cash. As manufacturers point out, retail products relevant for diabetes patients can also pertain to patients for other therapies and services.Diabetes-specific items have historically included orthotic shoes and inserts, compression hosiery, blood glucose monitors and...
Q&A with McKenzie Coan: Yes, I can do it
March 30, 2020Tracy Orzel
Paralympian McKenzie Coan has signed on to be Numotion's newest spokeswoman. HME News recently spoke to the three-time gold medalist swimmer about falling in love with swimming and what her plans are after the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.HME News: How old were you when you started swimming?McKenzie Coan: My physical therapist recommended aqua therapy when I was three or four. My two brothers joined the swim team before me and I would look over from the baby pool and I remember thinking, “They...