Archive: May 2024
Providers: ‘It never seems to really work out in our favor’
May 31, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – HME providers in Georgia and North Carolina are finding it hard to see the benefits of participating in a new capitated agreement between Synapse Health and UnitedHealthcare.
Synapse says providers in its network will benefit from not having to perform administrative tasks like collecting documentation and can, therefore, accept lower reimbursement.
“Is there really that much administrative cost to be made up in this that you're willing to look...
Owens & Minor ‘tries to stand out’ in more crowded supplies market
May 31, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
RICHMOND, Va. – Perry Bernocchi has taken over Patient Direct at Owens & Minor and has plans to further position the segment as a growth platform by leaning into macro tailwinds, the latest technology and ancillary products.
“My focus is on understanding the unique challenges that patients have after they’ve left the hospital, finding innovative ways to empower people to continue their health journey and maintain or improve their quality of life from the comfort of their...
Road for new ban on noncompetes will be bumpy
May 31, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
AMARILLO, Texas – There’s a good chance the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompetes will be “temporarily enjoined,” but employers should still begin reviewing these agreements with employees and preparing to make notifications required under the final rule, says Allison Davis of Brown & Fortunato.
The FTC announced in April that it had issued a final rule to ban noncompetes nationwide in a move that the agency says will protect the fundamental freedom...
F&P sees steadier growth for CPAP masks
May 31, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Now that the step-up in patient starts for sleep therapy has “probably washed through the previous year,” Fisher & Paykel Healthcare expects to maintain CPAP mask growth of about 10%, says CEO Lewis Gradon.
The company previously reported a 28% increase in revenue in constant currency terms for masks in the first half of financial year 2024, benefitting from significant progress in reducing a backlog of patients seeking therapy, but Gradon previously...
In brief: Orthotics fraud, Medicare Advantage data, Kalogon seed
May 31, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Office of Inspector General says there are still issues related to CMS’s oversight of off-the-shelf braces, including providers that ordered braces for enrollees for whom there was no history of a treating relationship.
The OIG also found new suppliers located in geographic areas with known Medicare fraud; Medicare paid more than private payers for OTS braces; and suppliers used prohibited solicitation to contact enrollees.
“These issues continue...
OIG: Medicare remains vulnerable to orthotics fraud
May 30, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Office of Inspector General says there are still issues related to CMS’s oversight of off-the-shelf braces, including providers that ordered braces for enrollees for whom there was no history of a treating relationship.
The OIG also found new suppliers located in geographic areas with known Medicare fraud; Medicare paid more than private payers for OTS braces; and suppliers used prohibited solicitation to contact enrollees.
“These issues continue...
EnsoData, Parachute Health integrate
May 30, 2024HME News Staff
MADISON, Wis. – EnsoData and Parachute Health are partnering to expedite care for newly diagnosed sleep disorders by simplifying the workflow of various care providers. The two companies will collaborate on a seamless handoff from a physician-signed sleep report directly through to DME providers using Parachute Health. “We’re excited to partner with Parachute Health to better serve patients, sleep physicians and DME providers working from a footprint spanning thousands of physicians...
VGM Canada seeks outstanding women
May 30, 2024HME News Staff
BURLINGTON, Ontario – VGM Canada is accepting nominations for the Canadian HME Woman of the Year Award through June 28. The award is open to all women who work in the HME or mobility industry in Canada, including suppliers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and manufacturers. “Now in the third year, we are thrilled to continue recognizing the outstanding women in our industry with this award,” said Dave Davies, president, VGM Canada. “We hope this award not only provides...
AAH makes recs on Medicare Advantage
May 30, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has responded to a CMS request for information on Medicare Advantage data with recommendations to improve transparency in these plans. The association’s recommendations include:
Require MA plans to publish data that demonstrates they provide sufficient access to care and patient choice, including measures of beneficiary satisfaction and complaints, as well as the number of in-network DME suppliers by product category and geography.
Require MA...
AAH gets additional support from Cardinal Health
May 30, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has announced that Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions has moved to the Legacy corporate partner level at the association, joining five other companies in that top tier. AAHomecare President and CEO Tom Ryan said the company has been an asset on the association’s Medical Supplies Council, Diabetes Council, Breastfeeding Coalition and associated work groups. “I’m gratified by this latest endorsement of our policy priorities and achievements from Cardinal...