In brief: Medtrade wraps up, new bid resource debuts

ATLANTA - Medtrade attendees selected Caire's FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator as this year's gold winner in the New Product Pavilion.

Abely's portable electric recliner, the Abelift, took home silver; and 3B Medical's CPAP hose cleaner, the Lumin Bullet, took home bronze.

The winners were announced ahead of the show's closing bell on Wednesday.

Stand out Stand Up

AAHomecare's Stand Up for Homecare reception raised $45,000 to support industry advocacy efforts, according to the association.

The Oct. 16 event, held at the SkyLounge at the Glenn Hotel, packed the house.

Also at the reception, AAHomecare President and CEO Tom Ryan once again recognized Regina Gillispie, 2018 Van Miller Homecare Champion; and Georgie Blackburn, HME Woman of the Year.

Closing time

And finally, the show closed on a high note for one attendee: David Ranft, of Derby Industries, based in South Bend, Ind., took home a $5,000 check in a drawing during the show's closing reception. To qualify, attendees had to have cards stamped by five exhibitors (WellSky, AAHomecare, CareCredit, EVENup and PPM Fulfillment) and be present to win.

“I'm surprised,” a stunned Ranft told HME News. “I expected my boss to win.”

Save the date

Medtrade Spring is scheduled for April 17-19, 2019, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Medtrade 2019 is scheduled for Oct. 21-23 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Stakeholders debut online bidding resource

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare and other industry groups have rolled out a resource to help providers prepare for the next round of Medicare's competitive bidding program. A new website, dmecbpeducation.com, brings together information on timelines, requirements and educational opportunities, as well as information on changes for the next round when it becomes available, so providers can make well-informed decisions. The website is a collaboration between AAHomecare, the CQRC, the MED Group, the VGM Group and ResMed.

Reliable Respiratory expands in southern New England

NORWOOD, Mass. - Reliable Respiratory has acquired Attleboro, Mass.-based Attleboro Area Medical Equipment. The deal allows Reliable to strengthen its presence in southern New England. “Attleboro Area Medical Equipment has served its community with great loyalty and dedication for more than three decades,” said Eric Mongeau, vice president of sales & marketing for Reliable Respiratory. “We are eager to continue the tradition of excellent patient service that AA Medical Equipment has provided throughout Bristol County.” Reliable has been on a growth spurt: Earlier this month, it acquired the ventilation business of New Bedford, Mass.�-based Enos Home Medical; and in June, it acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Mount Auburn Hospital DME.

Parent company of GCE Healthcare acquired

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md. - GCE Group, the parent company of GCE Healthcare, has been acquired by ESAB Welding & Cutting Products. GCE, with headquarters in Malmo, Sweden, employs more than 900 people and offers solutions for general industrial, healthcare, high-purity, and science and research applications. “The opportunities created by combining GCE with ESAB's global presence and continuous improvement culture will drive both businesses to achieve new heights of success,” said Shyam Kambeyanda, ESAB president, in a release. GCE Healthcare entered the U.S. market in 2016 with a portable oxygen concentrator under the Zen-O brand.

Stratice integrates with Brightree

CARMEL, Ind. - Stratice Healthcare has integrated its eOrders Plus into Brightree's ePrescribe solution to allow HME providers to receive and initiate fully electronic eOrders. Brightree customers will now be able to receive complete eOrders directly from prescribers, and streamline and expedite resupply or renewal orders, according to a press release. “With this latest integration, we are automating and streamlining HME ordering processes that will not only significantly improve efficiencies for providers, but also provide a better overall patient experience,” said Nick Knowlton, Brightree vice president of business development. “There is a tremendous need to digitize these processes.” 

LifeH2H buys Lab Tactical

COLUMBIA, S.C. - LifeH2H Solutions has acquired Lab Tactical, a consulting group specializing in HME operations and patient experience. Prior to the acquisition, Lab Tactical was independently owned and operated by Anna and Ryan McDevitt. The McDevitts, along Nimesh Patel, will join the LifeH2H team as LifeLab, a division of the company dedicated to mapping and documenting business processes, refining patient education experiences and developing data-driven models to support positive clinical outcomes, according to a press release. LifeLab's first goal at LifeH2H: Make the transition from the hospital to home a positive experience for the patient and a profitable transaction for the health system. “This space between the hospital and the home—where patients clinical care is often compromised—is complex and disjointed but has bred new opportunities to improve outcomes and expand the role of HME providers in their markets like never before,” said Dewey Roof, owner of LifeH2H, based here. Anna McDevitt is now director of customer experience; Ryan McDevitt, director of professional services; and Patel, implementation manager. LifeLab will remain based in Atlanta.

MAMES shatters records

WELCH, Minn. - MAMES shattered previous records for sponsorships at its MAMES Excellence in HME Conference at Treasure Island Resort and Casino on Oct. 3-5. The event drew 36 sponsors, a 38% increase over last year's fall event and a 106% increase over this spring's event, says Rose Schafhauser, executive director. The increase in sponsorships allowed the association to pass on “significant registration savings” to attendees, resulting in a 20% increase in the number of companies represented and a 24% increase in attendance for the education and display hall. “I continue to be amazed and motivated by the dedication and determination of our members to continue to learn, share and change their business models to succeed in these turbulent times,” Schafhauser said. 

Soleo taps industry vet as COO

MCKINNEY, Texas - Soleo Health has named Ron Lindahl as chief operating officer. Lindahl has more than three decades worth of experience in specialty pharmacy and home infusion, most recently as chief technology office at Axelacare Health Solution. Prior to that, he held positions at Accredo Health and Critical Care Systems. “In my new position, the focus will be on the Company's continued commitment to providing an excellent clinical experience for our patients and ability to best leverage technology to improve productivity,” said Lindahl in a press release. Soleo Health provides specialty home and alternate site infusion services through locations in 19 states and holds pharmacy licensure in all 50 states.

J & B Medical delivers HME to those in need

NICEVILLE, Fla. - J & B Medical has been pitching in to help those in the Florida Panhandle who have been affected by Hurricane Michael, the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. Kim Wonsick, vice president and compliance officer, told HME News this week that the company was bringing oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, walkers and other general items to area hospitals per their requests. J & B has given out all of its hospital beds; it has ordered more, but they are already spoken for. “Facilities in our local area are desperately needing hospital beds, but with all the cuts from Medicare in the last few years, not many companies carry them anymore, which is now a problem in our area,” she said. “They supply is limited.” J & B had help from Allen and Shelli Brown and their trailer to deliver equipment and supplies.

VGM calls for speakers

WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM is accepting proposals from prospective speakers for its annual Heartland Conference. With eight education tracks to fill, conference organizers are looking for presenters to offer their expertise on a variety of topics, including business leadership and management, retail, operations, sales and marketing, home accessibility, technology and regulatory issues. The conference takes place June 10-12 at the corporate headquarters of VGM. 

The Safety Sleeper now sold through Numotion

PITTSBURGH - Abram's Nation, a manufacturer of products for the special needs community, says The Safety Sleeper has been added to Numotion's lineup of products. The Safety Sleeper is a safe, fully enclosed bed system for children and adults with special needs for daily and travel use. “This product can help prevent unattended wandering, reduce visual stimulation and provide peace of mind for caregivers and customers,” said John Pryles, senior vice president of sales at Numotion. Rose Morris, a mom of three children, including an autistic son, Abram, launched Abram's in 2010. The company's expanding product line also includes the Fidget Folder, a sensory therapy product; Weight Mate, a weighted lap pad; and Abram's Wearables.

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