Archive: September 2020
Scott Markovich is on the hunt for Medicaid savings
September 30, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
HARTFORD, Conn. - With many state Medicaid programs facing increased enrollment but decreased budgets, the timing of CareCentrix's recent expansion into the Medicaid managed care market couldn't be better, says Scott Markovich.
“The largest pot of money is Medicaid for most governors,” said Markovich, the company's new general manager of Medicaid. “We are going to see a shifting of funds, as more people tax the system. They will transfer the risk to health...
EZ-Access opens up commercial market for providers
September 30, 2020HME News Staff
ALGONA, Wash. - EZ -Access has released a commercial-grade ramp system exclusively for DME providers. The Pathway HD Code Compliant Modular Access System meets compliance standards set by the ADA, IBC and other local codes, and is appropriate for schools, businesses, hospitals, libraries, museums, churches, polling places and other public establishments, the company says. “You asked and we answered,” said Don Everard, CEO and co-owner of EZ -Access. “By providing this system, our...
PlayMaker boosts Medicare Advantage referrals
September 30, 2020HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - PlayMaker Health has launched new Medicare Advantage Data Sets with Physician and Payer Insights solution. Users now have the ability to grow their MA referral revenue, evaluate existing referral potential and increase their market share, the company says. “As Medicare Advantage quickly gains momentum, plans are actively pursuing the partners that rely on data to deliver service in their respective market,” said Gregg Boyle, CEO. “Full visibility into the MA data...
Prime Engineering goes from garage to global company
September 30, 2020Tracy Orzel
FRESNO, Calif. - Prime Engineering, a standing device manufacturer, is celebrating its 36 years in business, which is no small accomplishment considering Mary Boegel started the company out of her and her husband's one-car garage. “We would build one or two (Grandstands) at a time and sell them in Southern California,” said Boegel, president. “Then we would take that money and build five more, put them in the back of a big old van, drive to Northern California and sell those. It...
Soleo Direct uses data to keep patients home
September 30, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
FRISCO, Texas - A new program that seeks to get patients started on infusion therapy without a hospital visit is coinciding with an inflection point in health care created by the ongoing pandemic, says Soleo Health CEO Drew Walk.As COVID cases spike in certain markets across the country, hospitals are looking for alternatives to bringing patients in for treatment, he says.“The value of home infusion has been accelerated,” he said. “They now feel more comfortable keeping the patients...
Adaptive Switch Lab receives RESNA award
September 30, 2020HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio - Adaptive Switch Laboratories, a division of Invacare, has received a RESNA Leadership Award. The award recognizes an agency, company, association or university for its significant contributions to the advancement of the field of assistive technology and rehab engineering. “I am pleased that ASL has been recognized by our peers as a leader in leveraging technology to make meaningful improvements in the lives of those with disabilities,” said Joost Beltman, Invacare's...
Ki Mobility software lets ATPs take clients with them
September 30, 2020Tracy Orzel
STEVENS POINT, Wis. - When wheelchair manufacturers create a new product, it's not uncommon for them to give a few samples to get feedback. With Ki Mobility's new Complex Rehab Systems (CRS) platform, they worked directly with National Seating & Mobility's ATP for four years before launching.
“In a software product, we need beta testers," said Doug Munsey, president. “We want to know what someone who didn't design it, what they want to do with it, how they want to...
Policy grant signals 'tide is shifting'
September 30, 2020Tracy Orzel
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh, among others, has received a $2.5 million grant over five years to investigate a new health coverage policy for complex rehab wheelchairs. The University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), UPMC Health Plan, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan and key disability, industry, and policy stakeholders, will be working together on the project. “We...
Skill set grows among home health therapists
September 30, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - Occupational and physical therapists working in home health settings are more receptive to accepting referrals for wheelchair evaluations during the public health emergency, says Cathy Carver.“They weren't real open to taking wheelchair referrals for CRT, because their funding model wasn't conducive to the way the payment system was set up, then COVID hit and everyone has been navigating for ways to help, so they began to take wheelchair evaluation referrals,” said Carver,...
Invacare sets plan for growth
September 29, 2020HME News Staff
CLEVELAND - Invacare expects to add 45 new positions at its manufacturing site in Elyria as part of its launch of a new oxygen concentrator. The company plans to build a 10,000-square-foot clean room within its Taylor Street facility to enhance its manufacturing capabilities to produce its new Platinum NXG stationary oxygen concentrator to meet the rising demand for respiratory equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, Invacare has had a long and successful...