Briefs: Software vendor opens online store

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. - Business software vendor MedForce Technologies has launched an online store (www.medforcetech.com/store) where customers can buy apps and add-ons to help them improve workflow and become more efficient, the company announced in September. The store features auto-filing templates, forms, additional user licenses and consulting services in various categories. The store features apps and add-ons for all MedForce solutions products, including standard and online versions of MedForce Scan, D&R Manager and WorkFlow.

Brightree and Fastrack: Don't sweat CEDI change

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., and PLAINVIEW, N.Y. - Brightree and Fastrack customers should have no fears about filing claims electronically to the CEDI Gateway once CMS shuts down all direct dial-up connections early next years. In separate releases in September, both companies stated that their software products can handle the change at no extra cost. CMS announced earlier this month that providers, third-party billers, software vendors and clearinghouses must start using one of six network service vendors to access the gateway by April 30, 2011.

Rivals educate docs on dangers of OSA

FRAZER, Pa. - Biopharmaceutical company Cephalon has joined ongoing efforts by ResMed and Respironics to help educate primary care physicians on issues related to untreated sleep apnea, the companies announced Sept. 30. The program, now in its second year, provides grants to fund independent continuing medical education (CME) activities on this topic. In its first year, the program educated more than 7,800 clinicians. Prior to participating in the program, 40% of surveyed clinicians said they could recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. After taking the CME program, that number jumped to 85%, the companies reported in a release.

medSage milestone

PITTSBURGH - medSage, a vendor of web-based patient management software since 2003, hit and passed its internal goal of 800,000 actively managed patients over the summer, the company announced in September. Most of the patients medSage manages for compliance and re-supply have obstructive sleep apnea, but the company recently launched two new programs targeting TENS and home oxygen patients.