Archive: February 2021
Providers deliver, despite already stressed infrastructure
February 26, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
HOUSTON – Already taxed by the COVID-19 pandemic and equipment shortages, HME providers went to great lengths to continue servicing patients during a devastating ice storm in Texas.
The storm, which brought snow, ice and single-digit temperatures to a state ill equipped for such conditions, knocked power plants offline for lengthy stretches. In some cases, providers were forced to tell vulnerable patients to...
Inogen sees ‘pull through’ demand for POCs
February 26, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
GOLETA, Calif. – Inogen reported a 17.9% increase in sales of portable oxygen concentrators to HME providers in the fourth quarter of 2020, a sign of just how much the pandemic is straining the supply of stationary oxygen concentrators, a more common therapy for COVID-19 patients.
That’s compared to a 25.2% decrease in direct-to-consumer sales for the quarter.
“Traditionally, these patients are treated...
Shabshab takes over
February 26, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
GOLETA, Calif. – Inogen’s new CEO, Nabil Shabshab, says the company may be “placing its bets a little differently” in 2021.
During a recent conference call to discuss the company’s latest financial results, Shabshab’s first, an analyst asked how he planned to balance Inogen’s various business segments – direct to consumer, business to business and rental.
“Of course, (the...
Medi-Cal to temporarily boost reimbursement rates
February 26, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California’s Department of Health Care Services has reversed plans to reduce reimbursement for oxygen concentrators 40% and will instead increase rates until the end of the public health emergency.
DHCS has submitted a waiver to CMS to increase the reimbursement rate for respiratory equipment from 80% to 100% of Medicare rural rates and eliminate a 10% clawback. Those rates will be retroactive to March 2020,...
In brief: AdaptHealth acquisition, Roche settlement, AAHomecare conference
February 26, 2021HME News Staff
MERION STATION, Pa. – The owner of OxygenWorks, Philomena Baylor, has divested her business to AdaptHealth.
OxygenWorks, based here, is a privately owned, multi-generational company providing a broad spectrum of respiratory equipment and supplies to patients in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, according to a press release from the company’s adviser, Central HealthCare Group.
Central HealthCare Group is a Philadelphia-based investment banking firm representing...
Repair Authority responds to surge
February 25, 2021HME News Staff
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – Repair Authority in February expanded its headquarters and repair facility in Strongsville, Ohio, as part of its response to the current surge in demand for oxygen concentrators. The company added an additional 10,000 square feet to the facility, bringing it to a total of 35,000 square feet, and installed several new production lines. It’s also hiring additional repair techs. Repair Authority uses the facility to repair oxygen concentrators – portable and stationary...
AAH sets date for conference, adds D’Andrea to committee
February 25, 2021HME News Staff
AAHomecare’s 2021 Washington Legislative Conference will take place virtually on Sept. 29. The daylong event will include virtual meetings with members of Congress. AAHomecare is partnering with Advocacy Associates to deliver a virtual meeting platform that will schedule meetings, provide background on each of the legislators, and allow attendees to connect directly with members of Congress and key legislative staffers. The association will provide more details this spring...Larissa...
Tomorrow Health extends transition period
February 25, 2021HME News Staff
NEW YORK – Tomorrow Health and Geisinger Health Plan will extend the transition period for a new referral program in Pennsylvania from March 1 to May 1. Referral sources should send orders first to Tomorrow Health, but during the transition, DME suppliers should directly service and fulfill any orders sent directly to them, and then submit all relevant documentation via fax to Tomorrow Health. After the transition ends, new DMEPOS orders must be submitted by referring...
Inogen’s domestic B2B sales rebound
February 25, 2021HME News Staff
GOLETA, Calif. – Inogen reported revenue of $74 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, a 6.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2019, but domestic business-to-business sales were $24.2 million, a 17.9% increase.
Rental revenue was $9.4 million, a 71.7% increase, and direct-to-consumer sales were $26.8 million, a 25.2% decrease.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a significant effect on our business in the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily...
Insulet posts Q4 revenue increase, net loss
February 24, 2021HME News Staff
ACTON, Mass. – Insulet reported revenues of $246.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 17.5% over the same quarter in 2019. Full-year revenues were $904.4 million, an increase of 22.5% compared to the previous year. For the quarter, U.S. Omnipod revenue was $231.1 million and International Omnipod revenue was $149.2 million. Omnipod revenue for the full year was $834.9 million: $526.9 million in U.S. Omnipod...