In brief: Rehab Medical adds orthotics, AAH ramps up support for CRT

INDIANAPOLIS - Rehab Medical has acquired OMS Rehab, a Kansas City, Mo.-based provider of orthotic devices and advanced rehabilitation equipment to long-term care facilities. “The acquisition of OMS Rehab diversifies the products we offer and allows us to provide more solutions for our patients,” said Rehab Medical President Kevin Gearheart. “Both companies share a common passion to improve the lives of others, so we look forward to working together to accomplish just that in the years to come.” OMS Rehab President Josh Boller, who previously served as a regional manger for Rehab Medical, will take on a partner role with Rehab Medical….Rehab Medical has merged with Cork Medical, a manufacturer of devices and support surfaces used in the treatment of wounds. "The merger better aligns the companies' efforts, which previously operated independently," said Patrick McGinley, CEO of both Cork Medical and Rehab Medical, in an article on Insideindianabusiness.com "Our new direction will allow our talented teams to collaborate and work toward our shared goal of improving lives." Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AAH ramps up support for complex rehab issues

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has contracted with Bridge Public Affairs to advocate for a separate benefit for complex rehab at the state level. Leading Bridge's efforts will be John Goetz, the former director of government affairs for Permobil. The association says Goetz has extensive knowledge of mobility issues, established contacts with state legislators and regulators, and past experience working with Tennessee's Medicaid agency. AAHomecare will also join NCART and other stakeholders in advocating for a separate benefit for Medicare. Contracting with Bridge Public Affairs is only the latest effort by AAHomecare to ramp up its state advocacy. In 2018, the association says its efforts helped stop or limit potential Medicaid rate cuts mandated by the Cures Act in 29 states.

NSM grows accessibility division

NASHVILLE - National Seating & Mobility has expanded its home and vehicle accessibility division with the acquisition of Mobility ASAP in Upper Marlboro, Md. Mobility ASAP expands NSM's presence in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and positions the company to serve clients across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Ed Wimbish, who owned Mobility ASAP, will serve as business manager at the Upper Marlboro location. “Mobility ASAP has provided home accessibility products in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., metro area for more than 25 years,” said Bill Mixon, CEO of NSM. “We are proud to bring this company onboard as part of NSM's access division.” NSM launched AccessNSM in 2015.

Ms. Wheelchair America gets support from Cure Medical

BYRON CENTER, Mich. - Ms. Wheelchair America has announced a new partnership with Cure Medical to be the organization's exclusive urological catheter sponsor. “This partnership will help Ms. Wheelchair America continue to empower women of achievement through leadership, advocacy and education,” said Shelly Loose, president of Ms. Wheelchair America. As an exclusive sponsor, Cure Medical will financially support the mission of the Ms. America organization so that state titleholders can continue to advocate for the more than 56 million Americans living with disabilities. The company will also be featured at the 48^th annual Ms. Wheelchair America National Competition, July 1-7 in Little Rock, Ark., where Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 will be crowned. “We are thrilled to join forces with Ms. Wheelchair America to support the professional development of women who have disabilities,” said John Anderson, CEO of Cure Medical. “Additionally, we are thankful for their ongoing efforts to educate community groups, care providers and policymakers about vital healthcare topics, including access to quality medical supplies.”

Council creates two new work groups

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare's HME/RT Council has created two new work groups related to vents and private payers. The first will create white papers to educate policy makers about vents, and compare the differences between pediatric and adult patients and between non-invasive and invasive therapies. The second will compile Medicare MCO and Medicare Advantage payer contract information, such as timeframes for recoupments and contracting. The council meets via conference call and in-person at major industry events like Medtrade Spring, and its work groups meet more frequently by phone. Council membership is open to any AAHomecare member.

State news: Oklahoma, North Carolina

Fifteen members of the Oklahoma Medical Equipment Providers Association (OMEPA), other providers from the state and VGM's Jay Kopriva joined forces at the state capitol in Oklahoma City on Feb. 5 to educate and gather support from their state representatives for H.B. 1407, a bill that would exempt HME from sales tax. Currently, Oklahoma is one of only a few states that charges sales tax on HME and supplies. “We received overwhelming support for the bill,” Kopriva said in a VGM bulletin. “OMEPA welcomes any member to join them in this continued effort for DME sales tax exemption. VGM is proud to be a part of OMEPA's efforts”…North Carolina has selected Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) to manage its Medicaid program, AAHomecare reports. They are AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina, BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina, United Healthcare of North Carolina, WellCare of North Carolina and Carolina Complete Health (a partnership between the North Carolina Medical Society and Centene). Their contracts will go into effect in two regional phases in November 2019 and February 2020. “We have been in regular contact with N.C. Medicaid to discuss HME industry concerns related to the increasing number of states turning to MCOs to administer Medicaid benefits nationwide,” said Laura Williard, AAHomecare vice president of payer relations. “I believe we've made a strong impression about the need for strong oversight of these MCO-led programs.”

Numotion Foundation launches website

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - The Numotion Foundation has launched numotionfoundation.org to host its grant and sponsorship applications, and to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the foundation, according to a press release. “We are excited about the launch of the Numotion Foundation website,” said Justin Richardson, Numotion Foundation executive director. “The site's online grant and sponsorship application will make it easier for applicants to engage with our organization as we continue to fulfill our mission and provide opportunities for those living with disabilities.” Numotion launched the non-profit foundation in 2018 to better organize the company's growing charitable contributions and community service events.

Short take: Option Care

Bannockburn, Ill.-based Option Care has been chosen by Paratek Pharmaceuticals as a limited network provider of its new IV and oral antibiotic Nuzyra to treat adults with community-acquired pneumonia and acute bacterial skin infections. Option Care is a national provider of home and alternate site infusion therapy services.

Air Liquide makes pair of Swiss buys

PARIS - Air Liquide has acquired Sleep & Health SA and Megamed AG. Sleep & Health SA was founded in 2003 and is a national provider of sleep apnea services. MegaMed AG has been in business nearly 50 years and provides ventilation and other support for patients with respiratory failure. Through the acquisitions, Air Liquide will serve more than 3,000 new patients. “We are happy to welcome the teams from Sleep & Health SA and from Megamed AG to the Air Liquide Group,” said Francois Jackow, a member of Air Liquide's executive committee. “Their expertise and their knowledge of the Swiss market, combined with the expertise of Air Liquide, will allow us to better address the needs of patients and healthcare professionals alike.” Air Liquide supplies medical gases, home healthcare services, hygiene products, and medical equipment. In 2017, it served more than 15,000 hospitals and clinics and more than 1.5 million patients.

QS/1 exec tapped by ASAP

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Sonny Anderson, vice president of technology for QS/1, has been elected president of the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy. Anderson, who joined QS/1 in 1983, has played an instrumental role in the creation and development of multiple products, according to a press release. “As someone who has spent their entire career participating in the creation of technology solutions for pharmacy, this is a true honor for me,” said Anderson in the release. ASAP promotes the role technology plays in assisting pharmacist with improving efficiently and patient safety.

GEMCO launches wound care line

HUDSON, Ohio - GEMCO Medical has added GEMCORE360 advanced wound care products to its portfolio. The line includes transparent thin films, alginate dressings, silver alginate dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, foam dressings and PHMB foam dressings. "Our new wound care line is a great complement to the existing product lines we distribute," said Rich Keirn, vice president/general manager of GEMCO Medical. "The GEMCORE360˚brand was a natural fit and allows us to address our growing customer demands for affordable, high quality supplies while focusing on positive patient outcomes."