Archive: June 2020
CMS makes first move to permanently incorporate telehealth into care
June 30, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS is proposing to allow home health agencies to continue to report the costs of telehealth as allowable administrative costs on line 5 of the home health agency cost report, according to a proposed rule. The agency proposes modifying the instructions regarding line 5 to reflect broader use of telecommunications technology. Additionally, CMS proposes to include not only remote patient monitoring but also other communications or monitoring services, consistent with the plan of care for...
AAH provides update on Tricare and COVID-19 relief
June 30, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Tricare East contractor Human Military loaded new reimbursement rates authorized by the CARES Act into their system on June 3, according to AAHomecare. Claims from that day forward should reflect the new rates. Humana Military is now working on adjustments retroactive to the start date for the act. AAHomecare has reached out to Tricare West contractor HealthNet for an update on its efforts to implement relief provisions in the CARES Act. Tricare has also confirmed that it's waiving cost...
AdaptHealth raises capital
June 30, 2020HME News Staff
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - AdaptHealth has commenced a public offering of 6.5 million shares of its Class A common stock, subject to market and other conditions. In conjunction with the offering, the company intends to grant to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 975,000 additional shares of Class A common stock. AdaptHealth plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and other business opportunities, capital expenditures and...
F&P's homecare group sees 9% increase in revenues
June 30, 2020HME News Staff
IRVINE, Calif. - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare reported operating revenue of $1.26 billion for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, an 18% increase compared to 2019 or a 14% increase in constant currency.It reported net profit after tax of $287.3 million, a 37% increase in 2020 vs. 2019 or 30% in constant currency.The increase in revenue was largely driven by growth in the use of F&P's Optiflow nasal high flow therapy, demand for products to treat COVID-19 patients and strong hospital hardware sales...
Oklahoma: Medicaid cuts don't take rural challenges into consideration
June 29, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Steep Medicaid cuts are scheduled to take effect July 1, despite multiple meetings with Medicaid officials, leading HME providers here to feel their concerns have “fallen on deaf ears.”
To comply with the 21st Century Cures Act, the Oklahoma Health Care Authorityplans to take the lowest Medicare competitive bidding rates and apply them across the board, resulting in cuts of up to nearly 50% for some product categories, says Katie Roberts, director for Stillwater-based...
Trace Medical: 'We can help you get business'
June 29, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WHITMORE LAKE, Mich. - Trace Medical's provider customers now have access to SunMED Medical Solutions' contracts with hundreds of managed care and other payers for non-invasive and invasive ventilators.Per an agreement, SunMED Medical subcontracts with Trace Medical, and Trace Medical, in turn, subcontracts with their provider customers, says Elliot Campbell senior vice president at Trace Medical.“The process is simple,” he said. “If you're one of our provider customers and you...
Reporter's notebook: Long view, body cams and deadlines
June 29, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Taking a short and long viewWhile there are “still some fires to put out,” complex rehab stakeholders are shifting part of their focus on longer-term issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, says Don Clayback.“There are real practical challenges that we're encountering, whether you're a customer, a clinician, a supplier or a manufacturer,” said Clayback, executive director of NCART, during a May 14 “CRT Industry and COVID-19 Update” sponsored by NCART, NRRTS,...
Legal round up: What is price gouging?
June 29, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
MIAMI - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, health care attorney Matthew Fischer has found himself advising clients on matters like pivoting their business to selling PPE.“I have clients whose business has dropped off and they're surviving doing other things,” said Fischer, a partner at Zumpano Patricios. “I have some clients who are selling PPE to keep themselves afloat.”Fischer's helping these clients to negotiate with companies in China and find transport to the U.S.—all...
Study: Increase physical activity, decrease risk of OSA
June 26, 2020HME News Staff
DARIEN, Ill. - Increased physical activity is associated with a lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea, according to a study published online as an accepted paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Researchers reviewed lifestyle, medical, socio-demographic and sleep health data collected from more than 155,000 adults participating in the Ontario Health Study. Based on the physical activity of participants with and without sleep apnea, the investigators determined that a modest increase in...
Low rates in effect for Medtrade
June 26, 2020HME News Staff
ATLANTA - SmartSaver rates are in effect for Medtrade, Nov. 2-4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, through Aug. 14. Under SmartSaver rates, an expo pass is $30 and a conference pass is $119, significant savings. “In recognition of an undeniably tough first six months to start off 2020, the SmartSaver rate window is longer this year,” says Mark Lind, show director, Medtrade. “We've done a lot of virtual communicating over the last few months, and it's still our hope...