Archive: July 2020
In brief: Bid relief, COVID-19 data, vent coverage, telehealth
July 31, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – A last minute push by HME providers boosted to 101 the number of signatures on a “Dear Colleague” letter that seeks to pause Medicare’s competitive bidding program.
The letter, spearheaded by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, asks CMS to pause the next round of the program for a year or through the duration of the public health emergency, whichever is longer.
The PHE was extended another three months on...
DMEconnected: Are you connected?
July 31, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ATLANTA - The need for DMEconnected, a new online “cheat sheet” for referral sources with information on DME providers and the equipment and services they provide, has taken on new meaning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, says CEO Courtney Richards. The company took its website live in February, right before the pandemic took hold in the U.S. “Sales reps (for DME companies) can't really walk into medical offices anymore,” said Richards, who worked in sales for a national DME provider...
Providers who wear capes: Free lunch, diapers and a really big giveback
July 31, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - HME providers have stepped up in acts both big and small to prove the COVID-19 pandemic has also brought out the best in people.
National reach
180 Medical, a national provider of disposable medical supplies, was inspired by an article in the New York Times calling attention to a shortage of diapers, wipes and other essential needs for children and individuals with special needs, says employee Jessica Jared.
“This (was) due to the surge in panic buying,”...
HME providers, community pharmacists seek recognition
July 31, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - HME providers and community pharmacists have continued to serve on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic - and like other health care providers, they want to be recognized for that.
The National Community Pharmacists Association recently launched the “Essential” Campaign to keep up the pressure on lawmakers for relief, including hazard pay, says Douglas Hoey, CEO.
“Pharmacists have been there since the beginning of this and we need recognition...
AdaptHealth names tech exec to board
July 31, 2020HME News Staff
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - AdaptHealth has named David S. Williams, co-founder and CEO of Care3, to its board of directors. Care3 is a technology and data platform for patients, families and medical and social care providers to optimize care in the home and community. Prior to that, Williams founded two digital health care companies. “David is a tested, proven national health care executive and thought leader who has repeatedly helped bridge the communication and care divide between patients,...
NEMEP news: New board, virtual event
July 31, 2020HME News Staff
CARY, N.C. - NEMEP has elected its new board of directors and officers. They are: John Quinlan, Quinlan's Pharmacy & Medical Equipment, president; Patty Reni, McKesson Homecare, president-elect; Michael Grabko, Dynamic Healthcare Services, treasurer; and Kathy Sircovitch, At Home Medical (Atlantic Health), secretary…This year's NEMEP Annual Meeting will take virtually Sept. 28-Oct. 2. The original, in-person event was slated for April. Attendees can expect the same high-level content, including...
AAH round up: Blended rates, accreditation, Tricare West, tax penalties
July 31, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The DME MACs have been instructed to reprocess claims from March 6-April 22 that should have been paid at the 75/25 blended rate per the CARES Act. Only competitively bid items in non-rural, non-bid areas are impacted. Suppliers will be notified via the listserv…CMS will resume some accreditation and enrollment activities. Depending on a state's reopening plan, surveys will be conducted onsite, virtually or a combination. New suppliers who enrolled during the pandemic that have not...
Accessories: Time to follow up, stakeholders say
July 31, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - Complex rehab stakeholders are working with their champions in Congress to craft a letter asking CMS to permanently change its payment policy on accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs. That letter may take the form of a “Dear Colleague” letter requiring signatures, said Don Clayback during a recent webcast, so stay tuned. “We're asking CMS to change the policy so it's consistent with (accessories for complex rehab power wheelchairs),” said Clayback,...
NSM to boost telehealth services
July 31, 2020HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating & Mobility will partner with regional telehealth providers Blue Sky Therapy, Lightning Mobility Evaluations and Spero Rehab to boost its complex rehab offerings nationwide. “NSM is working to set industry standards for CRT provision via remote evaluation with telehealth partners,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “Partnering with regional telehealth experts helps us ensure our clients across the country have coverage and access to this essential service....
NCART, NRRTS set CRT Awareness Week agenda
July 30, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - NCART, NRRTS and others are calling on stakeholders to educate lawmakers and policymakers about why access to complex rehab technology matters as part of the upcoming CRT Awareness Week. They have dedicated each day of CRT Awareness Week to a specific group: consumers on Aug. 10, suppliers on Aug. 11, manufacturers on Aug. 12, and clinicians on Aug. 13, followed by an all-out “CRT Advocacy Day” on Aug. 14. Their suggestions on how to support CRT Awareness Week: make a short...