In brief: CGS gets contract, VGM Insurance gives away thousands

NASHVILLE - CMS has awarded CGS Administrators a $78 million contract for DMEPOS claims in Jurisdiction B, according to a press release.

The contract represents approximately 20.7% of the national DMEPOS workload and covers claims by more than 6.8 million beneficiaries and 18,000 DME suppliers in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Nationally, CGS will now administer about 60% of Medicare DME claims.

CGS, which has been headquartered here since 1966 and employs more than 800, will add about 150 new jobs as a result of the new contract, it stated.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and innovative approaches to serving our customers, and it is that commitment by each person in our company that makes this kind of growth possible,” said Steven Smith, CGS president and COO.

The transition of the contract is expected to take about four months.

VGM Insurance gives $27,000 to charities

WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM Insurance Services has wrapped up its Quarter Century of Caring Campaign.

Over the course of a year, $27,000 was donated to charitable organizations.

The campaign was created to celebrate VGM Insurance's 25th anniversary, and as a way to thank providers for the good deeds they do in their communities. VGM Insurance customers, members, partners and affiliated insurance agents were asked to nominate their favorite charity for a $1,000 donation. The campaign wrapped up in December 2015.

“We had a fantastic response to the campaign,” said Mike Kloos, president of VGM Insurance in a release. “We received an overwhelming number of charity nominations, and it was amazing to learn about all the community service projects our customers and partners are involved in all across the country.”

The winning projects included wheelchair accessible playgrounds, baseball programs, camps and therapeutic riding programs; non-profit hospice services; domestic violence education and support; and special events for children with rare and life-threatening diseases.

“Many of the selected charity winners rely solely on individual donations to continue their work,” added Bill Wilson, vice president of sales and marketing in the release. “So the knowledge that the Quarter Century of Caring Campaign has helped these charities continue benefiting others for months and years to come is wonderful.”

ASP Global expands reach with buy

ATLANTA. - ASP Global, a medical supply sourcing company, has acquired InHome Medical Solutions, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based distributor of wholesale medical products serving physicians and home health/hospice providers. “InHome expands our distribution capabilities and advances the organization's mission of supporting the full continuum of care in any setting: hospitals, IDNs, home health, hospice and group practices," said Lorne Tritt, CEO of ASP Global in a release. Through the new partnership, InHome will be able to obtain medical products at the point of care, according to the release. InHome has five U.S. distribution centers to provide one- to two-day delivery to 96% of the country.

New year brings changes to Bellevue

BELLEVUE, Wash. -Bellevue Healthcare has kicked off 2016 with a new retail location and headquarters, and changes to its executive team. The new location, the provider's 17th, is located in Redmond and is connected to its headquarters. As to the staff changes: Joel Gallion, a 13-year veteran with the company, is now president; former president Peter Norman will transition to CEO; Josh Moritz is now executive vice president of internal operations; and Bryce Schaffner is now executive vice president of business development. The changes will allow Bellevue to look for strategic growth opportunities, the provider said.

BOC elects new board

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has announced its 2016 Executive Committee. Elected to a one-year term are Chairman Brad Watson, owner of Clarksville Limb & Brace and Rehab; Vice Chairman Rod Borkowski, general manager of Health Essentials DME; Treasurer Shane Ryley, area clinic manager at Hanger Orthopedic Group; and Immediate Past Chairman James Hewlett, consultant for DME and O&P facilities. “I look forward to giving back to the profession and keeping BOC on the cutting edge of credentialing,” said Watson in a release. BOC also welcomes Wayne Rosen, former owner of W.R. Rosen, as secretary; and William Powers, a retired COO of the American Nurses Association, re-elected as member at large.

Convaid releases roster of representatives

TORRENCE, Calif. - Convaid has announced its list of 2016 Convaid ambassadors—community volunteers who will serve a one-year term as representatives for the wheelchair manufacturer. As current Convaid users, ambassadors will attend regional events, write blog posts and share videos, participate in Convaid case studies and share photo essays of the places they visit using Convaid products. The Ambassador program was established in 2015 to promote information and resources about Convaid online and in special needs communities.

Johnson tapped for promotion

EXETER, Pa. - Seth Johnson has been promoted to senior vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility Products. Johnson, an 18-year veteran of the mobility industry, has been with the manufacturer since 2004. He served on the CMS DME Program Advisory and Oversight Committee for more than four years and has served in a relationship role with industry coalitions on a host of issues, including, most recently, fighting to prevent reimbursement cuts to complex rehab technology. “We are looking forward to Seth continuing his excellent work in advocating for those with disabilities and making strides to create an equitable regulatory environment for all,” said Scott Meuser, chairman and CEO of Pride.

VMI, NMEDA celebrate 'Local Hero'

PHOENIX - Vantage Mobility International and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association will deliver a free 2015 Honda Odyssey with VMI Northstar wheelchair ramp conversion to Cynthia Noonan of Oakland, Calif., on Jan. 14. Noonan is a Local Heroes Winner of the NMEDA's 2015 National Mobility Awareness Month contest. She has Transverse Myelitis, a rare autoimmune disease, which made her a C5 quadriplegic. Noonan serves as a board member for the Bay Area Outreach and Recreational Program, where she provides sports, recreational and outdoor activities to people of all ages with all types of physical disabilities. The modified vehicle will be awarded to Noonan during a ceremony at the Mobility Works dealership in Oakland.

Partnership highlights women's health market

LAS VEGAS - The organizers of the Power Symposium and Medtrade Spring have partnered to offer workshops on women's health products and services from Amoena and Juzo. “Compression 101” and “Amoena Fit School” will take place March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center as part of Medtrade Spring. The cost is $20 over and above the registration fee for the Symposium. Attendees will receive four CEU credits. Those who register for the symposium, which takes place one day after Medtrade Spring, will also qualify for a pass to the show floor. “We are giving Symposium attendees a chance to arrive one day early and experience the Medtrade Spring show floor,” said Kevin Gaffney, group show director. Medtrade Spring takes place Feb. 29-March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The Symposium takes place March 2-4 at the Tropicana Las Vegas.