Archive: April 2022
ResMed: ‘This is a humanitarian emergency’
April 29, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SAN DIEGO – ResMed has “five lines of work” to pump more of its CPAP devices into the market amid ongoing supply chain challenges, including a new AirSense 10 card-to-cloud device, says CEO Mick Farrell.
The company has launched the device – which is “basically an AirSense 10 without the cell chip in it,” says Jim Hollingshead, president, Sleep and Respiratory Care Business – only in select markets, but it’s in the process of adding markets.
“Look,...
Philips on recall: ‘We are progressing very well’
April 29, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Philips’ plan to remediate an additional 300,000 devices will push the completion date of its recall into 2023, but the company recorded additional provisions in the first quarter to speed up the process as much as it can.
Philips now expects to complete more than 90% of production and shipments to customers by the end of 2022, said Frans van Houten, CEO, during an April 25 conference call to discuss the company’s financial results for...
O&P stakeholders work relationships
April 29, 2022Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Stakeholders commend CMS for improvements to the recently implemented prior authorization program for five orthosis codes, but they continue to press the agency to address concerns related to direct-to-consumer shipping of certain devices.
While a nearly year-old PA program for lower limb prosthetics has been successful, stakeholders feared that the two-day turnaround for approval for orthotics would delay care, says Joe McTernan, director of coding and reimbursement...
MAMES looks good for 40
April 29, 2022Tracy Orzel
DULUTH, Minn. – The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services & Supplies celebrated 40 years at its conference and exhibition last week in Des Moines, Iowa.
Forty years ago, a supplier named R.D. Dick Herrington sent a letter to Missouri and Kansas suppliers asking to meet and discuss some of the issues facing the HME industry. They met in July and by September they had a certificate of incorporation. Today, that organization is known as MAMES.
“There’s...
In brief: Lifeway grows footprint, Quipt secures contract, Permobil receives accolade
April 29, 2022HME News Staff
HARTFORD, Conn. – Lifeway Mobility has acquired Accessible Systems, Inc., expanding its presence in the Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions.
ASI, a full-service dealer of stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, residential elevators, ramps, step-in tubs and overhead lifts, was co-founded more than 22 years ago by John Bixenman, Marty Twaddell and Nathan Colburn.
“We are proud of the reputation we have earned in our mission to serve families who want to stay in their own home...
Rhythm Healthcare increases efficiencies
April 29, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ST. PETERSBURGH, Fla. – Rhythm Healthcare has added a third distribution center in Ontario, Calif., allowing the company to better serve and grow its customer base in the western United States, says Doug Francis.
The 20,000-square-foot facility joins existing facilities in St. Petersburgh, Fla., and Memphis, Tenn.
“This allows us to open up California, Arizona, the Pacific Northwest,” said Francis, president and CEO. “I’m not saying we didn’t...
AOPA evolves with internal revamp
April 29, 2022Tracy Orzel
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Far from an exercise in aesthetics, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) recent rebrand was a culmination of nine months worth of data collection, member surveys, and in-depth interviews with key leaders and constituents within the profession.
"We’ve seen a lot of evolution in the orthotics and prosthetics field in the last decade or so and AOPA hasn't done enough work to keep up with that,” said Executive Director Eve Lee. “We...
NRRTS seeks committee members, growth
April 29, 2022Tracy Orzel
LUBBOCK, Texas – NRRTS has been holding steady at about 1,000 registrants for the last few years—no more, no less—which is why the organization is launching a new committee to develop strategies to increase its ranks.
“We thought we needed to take a different look at how we actually presented ourselves to the ATP community, the manufacturer community and the therapist community, and really put together some good talking points about who we are, what we do and what...
U.S. Rehab adds AAC education
April 29, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab’s new course offering on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) fills an education gap for complex rehab companies, says Tyler Mahncke.
In particular, it fills a gap for companies with employees prepping for RESNA’s ATP certification, he says.
“We kept hearing from members, ‘We have a tech going through the process, and we understand the exam is more involved in AAC than in the past or that portion is more difficult,...
Medtech saves on staffing, improves outcomes
April 29, 2022Tracy Orzel
FORT WORTH, Texas - Now is the time for HME providers to start looking at artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve quality of care without increasing costs, says Anna Elliott, a new managing director and partner at Vertess.
Here’s what Elliott, who specializes in high-growth, health care technologies, had to say about how medtech can be used and why you need it.
HME News: How much is machine learning and AI driving the growth in health care right now?
Anna...