In brief: Mediware reaches out, Liberator reports revenues

LENEXA, Kan. - Mediware Information Systems will offer whitepapers, studies, surveys, testimonials, webinars and other resources to providers throughout 2014, the company announced Dec. 24. First up: a Jan. 29 webinar to help HME providers master the complex rules and regulations related to competitive bidding. “Mediware's mission is to help homecare providers better understand the ever-changing homecare arena, while also providing business insights and best practices needed to growth their business and the industry,” the company stated in a release. Other topics for Mediware's outreach programs: ICD-10, inventory control, accreditation standards, outcomes reporting, document management and more. Mediware, which acquired Definitive Homecare Solutions and Fastrack in 2013, is also in the process of developing a single management solution to serve home infusion, HME and specialty pharmacy providers.

Liberator Medical reports revenues of $69.1M

STUART, Fla. - Net sales for Liberator Medical Holdings were up 13.4% and operating income was up 173% in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2013, the company announced Dec. 23. Net sales were about $69.1 million; operating income was about $11.8 million. Liberator Medical, which began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in November, plans to continue 1.) using direct response advertising to maximize profitability and cash flow; and 2.) exploring potential acquisition targets to acquire new customers, according to the release.

FAA puts sleep apnea policy on hold

FREDERICK, Md. - Faced with stiff opposition from some pilot groups, lawmakers and physicians, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put on hold plans to test all overweight pilots for sleep apnea, according to news reports. The FAA had planned to start testing pilots with body mass indices of 40 or greater in January. The FAA has now agreed to consult with industry groups to balance the concerns of all stakeholders, according to news reports. When the FAA announced its plans, legislation was introduced to require the agency to go through a rulemaking process. The agency has said the process is unnecessary because the plan enhances, not changes, existing policy. Untreated sleep apnea already disqualifies a pilot from flying.

Bruno, Advanced Rehab grant wish

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Bruno Independent Living Aids is donating a “Joey” platform lift to Sam Wedig, a 10-year-old with cerebral palsy. The lift will allow Sam's grandparents, Coleen and Mark Wedig, who are raising him, to take him to school and church, and to watch the Iowa Cubs baseball team. Advanced Rehab Technologies in Urbandale, which supplied Sam with his power wheelchair, will install the lift in the Wedig's Dodge Caravan. Bruno and Advanced Rehab learned about Sam through a local radio station's “Make-A-Wish” contest. As part of the contest, Sam will also throw out the first pitch at a Cubs game this spring.

101 Mobility opens in Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chuck Vollmer has opened a 101 Mobility location in Sarasota, Fla., where senior citizens make up one-third of the population. 101 Mobility sells, services and installs a complete line of mobility and accessibility products and equipment. Vollmer's relationship with Harmar Mobility will benefit customers of 101 Mobility, according to a release. “They will notice added quality assurance, product diversity and reasonable price-points,” it states. 101 Mobility has an equity partnership with Cortec Group, which owns Harmar Mobility.

VGM raises money to replace stolen wheelchairs

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group is helping to raise money to replace sports wheelchairs belonging to the Iowa Chairiots, a wheelchair basketball team. Sometime over the weekend of Dec. 14-15, a trailer containing the wheelchairs was stolen from a Cedar Rapids YMCA parking lot. The replacement cost is estimated at up to $50,000. VGM will allow employees to wear jeans the week of Dec. 30 in exchange for $10. Both VGM and CEO Van Miller will match each dollar raised. U.S. Rehab will also make a contribution. U.S. Rehab President Greg Packer is working with VGM vendors to replace the wheelchairs, which are serviced by JVA Mobility in Waterloo.