In brief: SuperCare acquires LifeCare, AeroCare makes two buys

DOWNEY, Calif. - SuperCare Health has acquired the respiratory assets of LifeCare Solutions.

“Our acquisition of LifeCare Solutions California respiratory assets ensures that none of their patients will have any interruption in their respiratory care,” said John Cassar, CEO, SuperCare Health. “Our driving mission is to improve the lives of patients with chronic diseases and we are excited to bring our innovative care solutions to an ever-expanding high risk patient population.”

The Phoenix-based LifeCare in July announced it would exit the California market, blaming reimbursement cuts related to the competitive bidding program. The provider had 30,000 patients and 13 locations in California.

The deal does not include beneficiaries covered under the competitive bidding program.

SuperCare Health, which has19 locations throughout California and Nevada, provides a broad range of respiratory services, including ventilation, CPAP/BiPAP nebulizer and inhalation medication and oxygen.

AeroCare makes two buys in Illinois

ORLANDO, Fla. - AeroCare has acquired First Choice Medical Supply and Kelly's Medical Equipment & Supply, two DME companies in Illinois, according to the Galesburg Register-Mail. Both companies have a presence in Galesburg, and First Choice also has offices in Peoria and Monmouth. First Choice and Kelly's Medical serve about 300 oxygen patients in the area, according to the newspaper. First Choice's office in Monmouth will close Sept. 21, with AeroCare serving those patients from its office in Galesburg, the newspaper reported. First Choice's office in Galesburg has been consolidated into Kelly's Medical's office in the same town, it reported. Kimberly Angotti, a sales rep for AeroCare, told the newspaper that the acquisition has been a “good deal for everybody,” with no one losing jobs. “We've had some transitions, people's own decisions,” she said, “but nobody's been let go because of it.”

Howard's Medical Supply buys Keeler's Medical Supply

YAKIMA, Wash. - Howard's Medical Supply will purchase the inventory of Keeler's Medical Supply under a pending sale approved Aug. 28 by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, according to the Yakima Herald. Keeler's Medical Supply filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June, citing drastic reductions in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the newspaper reported. Company officials at Howard Medical Supply told the newspaper they have handled the same cuts by being debt free and by improving operational efficiency. They will pay $600,000 in cash for Keeler's Medical Supply's inventory, the newspaper reported. Keeler's Medical Supply's co-owner Chuck Vetsch and employee Brad Vetsch will have a five-year non-compete agreement, it reported.

Numotion website shares customer stories

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Numotion has relaunched its website, www.numotion.com, with a heavy emphasis on showcasing its customers.

The new website features a section called “Customer Stories” where 20 customers share their mobility journey and why they chose Numotion for their complex rehab technology. For example, Kierra, a pre-teen with muscular dystrophy, shares how her power wheelchair has made her more independent at school and at home.

“Our mission is to help customers live active and independent lives and these stories showcase how we do just that,” said Mike Swinford, CEO. “As customers turn to the web more frequently to learn about their mobility options, it's important that we offer them not only inspiration, but the information they need to make decisions related to their health.”

The website also features a timeline that outlines the steps involved in the ordering process and a glossary that clarifies acronyms.

Additionally, the website features new blogs, including “Nu Digest,” which provides tips like how to fly with a wheelchair; and “Wheeltime with Daniel and Shea,” which offers service advice and tips.

“While our website serves as the first touchpoint for many new customers, we also want it to be a helpful resource for anyone with mobility needs,” Swinford said. “Our team has a vast wealth of collective expertise in our industry—the website is an opportunity for us to extend their knowledge beyond their day-to-day interactions to even more customers who can benefit.”

Numotion, which has 125 locations across the country, says it serves more than 250,000 customers annually.

NSM promotes two

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating & Mobility has named Charles Sargeant as senior vice president, it announced Aug. 30. Previously, Sargeant served as regional vice president driving business for NSM in the west. The provider has named Katie Stevens as regional vice president. She has served I business development and operations roles at NSM for the past decade. “NSM is committed to invest in key talent as the company continues to grow,” said Bill Mixon, CEO. “I am pleased to announce the promotions of Charles Sargeant and Katie Stevens.”

Good works: AvaCare Medical, Lofta support Hurricane Harvey victims

LAKEWOOD, N.J. - A truck loaded with supplies left for New Jersey for Houston Aug. 30. AvaCare Medical, an online medical supply store, donated thousands of dollars worth of supplies and equipment for flooded nursing home and other victims of devastating Hurricane Harvey. Donations included first aid supplies, gauze, bandages walkers, adult diapers, wipes, reusable and disposable underpads, medical gloves, creams, mouthwash and shampoo.“With more and more news pouring in about Harvey's victims, we realized that as a medical supply company, we are uniquely positioned to offer support to Houston even from our location in New Jersey,” said CEO Steven Zeldes. “Since we have the resources to help, we feel like it is not only an opportunity but an obligation to pitch in when so many people need help so badly."

Lofta donates to relief fund

SAN DIEGO - Lofta will donate of portion of its proceeds to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, established by Houston mayor Sylvester Turner.

“Lofta is part of a personal commitment to help improve quality of life for the millions of people nationwide who suffer from sleep apnea,” said Jay Levitt, principal. “Our company's mission has always been to help people feel better, so naturally, in the wake of this natural disaster we want to be able to support relief efforts in any way we can.”

Those wishing to have a portion of their own CPAP purchase benefit the fund, or to make a direct donation to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund can do so at Lofta's online shop: buyminicpap.com.

Diabetes supplies en route to Texas

ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Diabetes Association, JDRF and Insulin for Life have secured and shipped more than 3,750 pounds of donated diabetes supplies to people with diabetes affected by Hurricane Harvey, they announced Aug. 29. Five pallets, each of which includes 200,000 syringes, 50,000 pen needles and 20,000 alcohol pads, are already en route to the Houston area. Accompanying each pallet are separate packages containing dozens of blood glucose meters along with thousands of glucose test strips and lancets, which will allow an individual to test his or her blood glucose three times per day for nearly two months. More than 25,000 units of analogue and human insulin, in both vial and pen forms, will also be delivered for each pallet, pending safe delivery and temperature control conditions at the locations. One pallet is for immediate distribution by the Houston Health Department to evacuees with diabetes who are sheltered at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The second pallet will be distributed by Sen. Larry Taylor's office to the Galveston communities of Clear Creek, Friendswood, League City and Victory Lakes. Two pallets are being delivered to the Harris County Health Department. The fifth pallet is going to the City of Corpus Christi Health Department. The organizations have also launched a website, diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey, for updated information and resources.

Accredo passes muster with OIG

WASHINGTON - Accredo Health Group has properly billed Medicare for inhalation drugs, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General. The review follows the inclusion of inhalation drugs in the top 20 DME products with the highest improper payment rates for calendar years 2014-15. Accredo is the first of three providers that will undergo reviews by the OIG. Medicare paid about $1.3 billion for inhalation drugs during 2014-15, with Accredo receiving 26% of payments. The OIG reviewed a random sample of 100 claim lines from a pool of 28,718 claim lines for inhalation drugs. For each sample, the OIG provided copies of the supporting documentation to a medical review contractor to determine whether or not inhalation drugs were properly billed.

Quantum Rehab's iLevel hits 10K users

EXETER, Pa. - Quantum Rehab now has more than 10,000 iLevel users, the company announced Aug. 25. Launched in July 2015, iLevel elevates the seat of a power wheelchair up to 12 inches, while stabilizing it using Extra Stability Technology. It allows full functionality at walking height and speeds up to 3.5 mph for increased independence and social inclusion. Quantum Rehab credits the increasing number of iLevel users to consumer demand and payer coverage. “As we pass the two-year mark with iLevel, third-party payers across the country are covering and providing reimbursement for this feature almost daily,” said Julie Piriano, vice president of clinical education and rehab industry affairs, and compliance officer.

EarlySense, SleepMed synch up technologies

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., and WALTHAM, Mass. - EarlySense and SleepMed have partnered to improve the detection of and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. EarlySense uses hospital-proven technology to, among other things, monitor disruptions throughout the night, including interrupted breathing. Now, when EarlySense captures interrupted breathing, its synched mobile app will send notifications to invite users to visit SleepMed's website. There, users will find information on determining their level of sleep apnea and receive recommendations on next steps in treating their symptoms. "By collaborating with SleepMed, we are able to not only bring awareness to our users, but also offer an effective next step in identifying the extent of their sleep risk," said Avner Halperin, CEO of EarlySense. "Sleep disorders such as OSA affect over 20 million Americans each year. As this is such a significant health concern across the United States, it's a priority of ours to deliver to our users relevant and accurate data so they can be proactive in leading a healthier, more comfortable life."

Audit Key deadline extended

WASHINGTON - The HME Audit Key will stay open until Monday, Sept. 9 so providers can submit 2^nd quarter data, AAHomecare announced. The survey is open to all providers, who can submit data even if they haven't done so previously. “Additional participation will allow us to better demonstrate the effects of overly burdensome HME audits to regulatory agencies and Capitol Hill as we advocate for better audit policies,” said the association in a bulletin.