In brief: Diplomat Pharmacy targets key markets, RemitData sells to eSolutions

FLINT, Mich. - Diplomat Pharmacy has acquired Focus Rx Pharmacy Services, a specialty and infusion pharmacy with two locations in New York state.

“This partnership opens growth opportunities, especially in the key markets of New York and New Jersey,” said Phil Rielly, vice president of Diplomat and president of Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group. “Focus Rx brings over 15 regional and national payer contracts, boosting Diplomat's prescription and payer access.”

Focus Rx provides home infusion and specialty prescription management services. It is expected to generate about $47 million in revenue and $3 million in adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2017.

Last year, Diplomat Pharmacy launched Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group, a brand to unite five subsidiaries: American Homecare Federation, At-Home IV Infusion Professional, BioRx, MedPro Rx and XAS Infusion.

Diplomat's specialty infusion services focus on individuals living with chronic conditions like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hemophilia, hereditary angioedema, immune deficiencies, nutritional deficiencies and von Willebrand disease.

RemitData sells to eSolutions

PLANO, Texas, and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - RemitData has been acquired by eSolutions, a provider of healthcare and analytics solutions. RemitData will allow eSolutions to further expand its footprint outside of existing markets in the healthcare industry, as well as provide greater diversification within the FQHC, ambulatory, ASC, hospital-owned physician markets and more. “RemitDATA's technology will provide significant upgrades to our customers' reporting and analytics services,” said Gene Creach, president and CEO of eSolutions. “RemitDATA fits perfectly into our existing customer base, while also providing a featured service for the ASC market.” eSolutions is known for optimizing providers' revenue cycle processes through built-in workflow automation, analytics and reporting solutions. Today, the company processes more than 50 million claims a year for nearly 30,000 providers. RemitData, which has offices in Plano, Texas, Memphis, Tenn., and Lexington, Ky., offers a comparative data and analytics platform.

Caire: You can depend on us

BALL GROUND, Ga. - Caire, a manufacturer of oxygen concentrators, has launched a new website, www.cairemedical.com, with new branding and content. The website features messaging that encourages end users to improve their health by adhering to their oxygen therapy. It also features expanded educational materials, including FAQs on oxygen therapy and links to resources from premier health organizations. “We want our customers who have been prescribed oxygen therapy to connect with us as a company they can depend on in their hour of need,” said Earl Lawson, president of Chart BioMedical.

Numotion launches remote repair service

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Numotion now offers remote service and repair on manual and power wheelchairs. Using a secure, HIPAA-compliant app, a Numotion technician can remotely inspect and diagnose and often resolve issues over the phone through a secure video call. “Remote service drastically shortens the overall time to complete repairs, enabling us to service more customers much faster,” said Mike Swinford, CEO. “Being able to diagnose and fix issues remotely is a tremendous benefit to our customers.” Numotion has conducted nearly 20,000 remote service evaluations so far this year, with a goal of 100,000 each year.

CMS sets start date for targeted audits

WASHINGTON - CMS will expand its Targeted Probe and Educate program to include all of the Medicare Administrative Contractors effective Oct. 1. Under the program, the MACs will identify providers with the highest claim error rates or billing practices that differ significantly from their peers and offer individualized education. The program began as a pilot project in one MAC jurisdiction in June 2016 and expanded to three additional jurisdictions in July 2017. CMS announced in August that it would be expanding the program.

Aeroflow donates to Harvey victims

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aeroflow Healthcare will donate medical equipment and supplies, including wheelchairs, diapers and bed pads, to residents of Orangefield, Texas, which was hit by Hurricane Harvey in August. “Our thoughts are with everyone who was affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Healthcare, in a release. “As residents continue to face flooding, toxic waters and the loss of their homes, we hope these supplies offer some comfort and support during this difficult time.” Aeroflow joins the ranks of other HME providers, including Avacare Medical and Lofta, as well groups like the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, in stepping up in the wake of the monster storm.

Ardon Health wins top honor

WASHINGTON - Ardon Health was named Specialty Pharmacy of the Year at the National Association of Special Pharmacy meeting this week in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Mike Agostino was named the recipient of the Distinguished Service to Specialty Pharmacy award. “This year's NASP award honorees are exemplary representatives of the specialty pharmacy industry,” said Rebecca Shanahan, president of the association. “Both recipients demonstrate an inspiring commitment to making quality care accessible to their patients, and we commend them for their efforts.” Ardon Health was selected from a pool of 1,200 corporate members based on its community involvement, patient satisfaction, cost management, innovation in the field and quality/performance improvement initiatives, including patient care and outcomes, disease state and therapy management, and patient engagement. Agostino, the president of Amber Pharmacy and Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions, was selected based on exceptional and sustained leadership within NASP. He was also named incoming president of the association, replacing Shanahan.

VGM's Ball wins O&P award

LAS VEGAS - VGM Group's Ryan Ball received the Sam E. Hamontree Business Education Award at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association's World Congress earlier this month. The award, determined by attendee votes, recognizes the best business education paper, idea and/or proposal presented at the annual conference. Ball, director of VGM Market Data, gave a presentation, “Competitive Differentiator: Executing a Data-Driven Growth Strategy in O&P,” during which he highlighted how using data can create greater efficiencies and identify new growth opportunities. “Big data now impacts all facets of America's health care and payment delivery system, including the orthotics and prosthetics segment,” he said. “Every O&P business needs to find more referrals, and every O&P business has at least one competitor. Data can provide the differentiating factor to find new business growth opportunities.”

Government short takes: CMS, DCHCF

A sign-on letter asking CMS to withdraw a CPAP bundling pilot program from the next round of competitive bidding collected 33 signatures, according to AAHomecare. The letter also encourages CMS to prioritize reforms to the bidding program. The letter was spearheaded by a bi-partisan group of legislators that includes Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Minn., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Scott Peters, D-Calif., and Michael Bishop, R-Mich. See the final letter and list of signees here…The District of Columbia Health Care Finance Office will raise reimbursement for competitive bid items to 100% of bid rates starting Oct. 1, according to AAHomecare. Previously, these items had been paid at 80% of Medicare rates. The Maryland-National Capitol Area Homecare Association and AAHomecare advocated for the change.

Short takes: 3B Medical, Adena Home Care

Winter Haven, Fla.-based 3B Medical has hired two industry veterans to lead its sales and marketing team. The company, which manufactures sleep and oxygen therapy products, has hired Brett Townsend as vice president of sales and marketing, and Jose Llana, M.D., as national sales director. Townsend helped the Biomedical Division at Chart Industries grow to $226 million in annual revenue, 3B Medical says. Llana brings with him experience from Philips Respironics…Chillicothe, Ohio-based Adena Home Care, part of Adena Health System, has received three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. The accreditation covers home infusion, DME and respiratory. Adena Home Care offers a “single resource for all in-home medical care needs” for patients in Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties.

People news: Ray Huggenberger

Ray Huggenberger has been appointed to the board of directors for Minneapolis-based Tactile Systems Technology. Huggenberger served as Inogen's CEO from 2008 to February 2017. Previously, he held positions with Sunrise Medical. Tactile develops medical devices for the treatment of chronic diseases at home.