Archive: July 2021
Philips: ‘We will regain our market position’
July 30, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
AMSTERDAM – Philips hosted a one-and-a-half-hour conference call on July 26 to discuss its recent financial results and all but a few questions concerned the company’s voluntary recall of certain CPAP devices and ventilators. Here are comments from CEO Frans van Houten on everything from the company’s ability to rebound to its response to civil lawsuits.
No monopolies
On the feedback Philips has received from providers and physicians on the recall: “What...
Proposed oxygen changes: Overall, they're positive, providers say
July 30, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Providers support proposed changes to the oxygen benefit that they say will ease paperwork burdens and expand access to therapy, but they’d like to see more details.
CMS in July issued a proposed national coverage determination for home oxygen therapy that, among other things, removes the CMN requirement and expands access for acute conditions.
“This would open it up for physicians being physicians and prescribing what they see as...
MassHealth gives DME boost
July 30, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
BOSTON – Industry stakeholders who are lobbying state Medicaid officials to earmark dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act for DME got their first win in Massachusetts in July, setting a precedent for other states.
MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, has increased reimbursement 10% for DME claims from July 1 until the end of the year. It has also increased reimbursement...
In brief: CMS exempts accessories, Advanced Diabetes buys US MED, FDA classifies Philips recall
July 30, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS in a final rule issued July 29 says it will permanently stop applying competitive bidding pricing to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs.
In late June, CMS agreed to extend an 18-month pause on applying bid pricing to these accessories for an additional 90 days, until Oct. 1., to give the agency more time to review the industry’s request.
“We are sincerely grateful to CMS for making today’s policy decision and protecting...
DMERT Group is back on track
July 30, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – DMERT Group has plans to run 150 repair technicians through its Level 1 or Level 2 certifications this year, up from 80 last year, says Matt Macpherson.
The COVID-19 pandemic limited the number of certifications that DMERT Group could award last year because of the live competency exams required, says Macpherson, chairman of the board of the DMERT Group.
“We’re back where we want to be,” he said.
Level 1 certification covers...
SuperCare coordinates donations to India
July 30, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
DOWNEY, Calif. – SuperCare Health recently coordinated the shipment of more than 300 oxygen concentrators to India, where the health care system is buckling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With California being the melting pot it is, a lot of doctors here have roots in India,” said Paula Dahl, executive vice president of strategy and business development. “A couple reached out to ask if they could purchase oxygen concentrators from us.”
SuperCare...
Supplies companies ‘drive buzz’ in M&A
July 30, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Demand for providers with a focus on supplies is strong, particularly when it comes to manufacturers looking for a platform in the urologicals space, say analysts.
“Over the last several years, I must have talked to between five and 10 manufacturers of urologicals that are starting to or looking to expand into actual patient distribution,” said Rick Glass, president of Steven Richards & Associates. “They’re looking for a platform or to add...
Welcome back to the Heartland
July 30, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – The VGM Heartland Conference is back in person on Sept. 13-15 and will include many of the trappings its attendees have come to love – the welcome bag that includes cookies, the hog roast, the fireworks, the golf tournament.
“Everyone at VGM is so excited to welcome our members, vendors and industry experts to our hometown to experience our conference live and in person this year,” said Sarah Conger, vice president of events and corporate projects....
There's value in hospital-in-home in post-pandemic environment
July 30, 2021Debbie Fisher
COVID-19 imposed massive changes to the world throughout 2020. It rocked the health care world, in particular, bringing facilities to capacity and many would-be patients to avoid hospitals because of their perceived risk of contracting the virus. The public health crisis amounted to 41% of Americans delaying or avoiding care by the end of June 2020(1). With 32% of deferments for routine health care and 12% for urgent or emergency care, chronic conditions place patients at a higher risk for severe...
CBD purveyors see huge HME potential
July 30, 2021John Andrews
The excitement about the future of CBD products in the HME retail sector is palpable from advocates in the field. CBD – or cannabidiol – has become a common homeopathic treatment for a variety of ailments and is ubiquitous at retailers across the country.
The burgeoning popularity of CBD – which is a derivative of hemp and not marijuana – poses a huge over-the-counter retail opportunity for HME providers, proponents say.
“The growth potential for CBD...