Archive: April 2020
CMS expands telehealth again, makes other changes
April 30, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS has made another round of changes to support health care providers during the coronavirus pandemic, including allowing physical therapists and occupational therapists to provide telehealth services.“For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, CMS is waiving limitations on the types of clinical practitioners that can furnish Medicare telehealth services,” the agency stated. “Prior to this change, only doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certain...
Short takes: AAHomecare, CAIRE, RESNA
April 30, 2020HME News Staff
AAHomecare is accepting nominations for four open positions on its board of directors. To be nominated, you must be an AAHomecare member in good standing. Board members are expected to be available to other members to answer questions about the association's activities and to recruit new members. Email nominations to Sue Mairena at suem@aahomecare.org…CAIRE's FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator is now available in China. The Ball Ground, Ga.-based company will distribute the FreeStyle...
Ty Bello, Joey Graham launch podcast
April 30, 2020HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - Ty Bello and Prochant's Joey Graham have teamed up on a two-part podcast on “Navigating the New Normal” that goes live today at 3 p.m. EST. Part 1 of the podcast will review managing financials, participating in education and industry events, supporting and serving a team and working from home; Part 2 will review implementing an operating system, tapping into resources, looking for opportunities and developing a strategy. Earlier this year, Bello and Graham teamed up...
NCPA launches two campaigns
April 30, 2020HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association has launched Fight4Rx to alert patients to the growing risk that their neighborhood pharmacy may close, not because of the coronavirus pandemic but because of what it calls “excessive profiteering.” The group says PMBs contribute to higher costs for patients, limit pharmacy choice and, in some cases, deny coverage for needed medications. “PBM policies are a leading reason why pharmacies have been closing at a rate...
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April 29, 2020Raul Lopez
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In critical times, the...
Dario Health expands remote care
April 29, 2020HME News Staff
NEW YORK - Dario Health has partnered with MediOrbis to expand the service offering for its blood glucose monitoring system with a full suite of telemedicine capabilities for its 50,000 active users. With Dario's most recent app, users may now access a full complement of physician-directed patient care from home and other remote locations, a capability it says is necessary in the new reality of “stay at home.” “This partnership broadens Dario's SaaS-based service offering...
Ames Walker pivots manufacturing to masks
April 29, 2020HME News Staff
ASHEBORO, N.C. - Ames Walker has pivoted some knitting machines from making socks to making masks. The company says it has the capability to produce more than 1 million masks per week. “While we remain committed to our customer's compression stocking needs, we felt it was our duty to further protect our customers because they look to us as a trusted source for products,” said Ryan Zell, co-owner and president. “Our customers' health and satisfaction is our No. 1 priority,...
WellSky, Qlik launch 'heat map'
April 29, 2020HME News Staff
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - WellSky and Qlik, a data and analytics company, have launched a “heat map” feature for home care providers. The WellSky COVID-19 Tracker allows providers to leverage data to track current outbreaks, anticipate locations with increasing infection rates and distribute valuable PPE based on where it's needed most. “With information changing daily, care providers need up-to-date data on where they should focus their attention and finite resources,” said Bill...
ACHC cleared ahead of new requirement
April 28, 2020HME News Staff
CARY, N.C. - CMS has recognized the Accreditation Commission for Health Care as a national accrediting organization for home infusion therapy providers through 2024. The decision gives ACHC deeming authority to conduct surveys that meet or exceed Medicare requirements, including new reimbursement rules mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act. The act requires that, beginning Jan. 1, home infusion therapy suppliers seeking Medicare reimbursement must be accredited by an approved accredited like ACHC....
Relief funding: CMS stops accepting new applications for advance payment
April 28, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS has suspended its Advance Payment Program to Part B providers and has stopped accepting new applications for the program as of April 26.
Additionally, CMS is re-evaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program, as well as all pending and new applications for accelerated payments.
The agency made the announcement following the successful payment of more than $100 billion to health care providers through these programs and in light of the $175 billion...