Conferences: Provider picks

BRAD SCHMIDT'S PICKS Reducing Expenses for Delivery of Oxygen Speaker: Donald Vibbert Date and time: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 8:30-9:30 a.m. I want to learn more about the subcontracted liquid or gaseous O2 delivery model. I have yet to see a service model in the marketplace that includes the subcontracting part of my patient care functions, such as delivery of LOX or cylinders, which is more beneficial for patients and more economical for my company. I want to hear about new ideas and models that could help my company maintain or provide better high-contact quality patient care. If such a model will increase our profits by offloading the actual routine delivery of cylinders or liquid O2, allowing us to spend more time actually caring for patients, it just might work. Paper Cuts Profit - The Advantages of Electronic Document Management on the Bottom Line Speaker: Vernon Herrington, Jon Clark Time: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 9:45-10:45 a.m. I have noticed many advertisements over the past year or two related to document imaging, but I have not seen the products in action. I feel that I understand many of the benefits, such as automation and accessibility of documents, but I'm interested in learning how this technology hits the bottom line. Will it reduce the amount of paper we handle and store? Will it reduce my costs via a smaller staff or less space needed for file storage? I think this will happen when the technologies are fully recognized by CMS and truly integrated with our current back-end systems. I look forward to hearing that that time is now. --- Brad Schmidt is chief operating officer of Red Ball Medical Supply in Shreveport, La. --- CHIP FISKE'S PICKS Unraveling the Medicare Mystery on Seating Surfaces Speaker: Patrick Meeker Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 20, 8:30-9:30 a.m. With all the changes Medicare is proposing for durable medical equipment, you can't get enough education on this subject. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to receive up-to-date information from the best professionals in our industry. Last year, Medicare began implementing a new seating and positioning policy. The changes consisted of new codes and allowables, as well as diagnosis-specific requirements. My professional staff, as well as those at surrounding facilities, are confused by the changes. My goal is to return home with information from this conference and relay that information to my staff and the community they serve. Power chairs - what now? Speaker: Peggy Walker Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 20, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Peggy Walker, a billing and reimbursement advisor to U.S. Rehab, is one of the most knowledgeable reimbursement professionals in our industry. The changes in the power wheelchair process that Medicare is proposing has begun, and they will make for drastic changes next year. We, as an industry, must be involved in these changes. Peggy is involved; she has taught me how to get power chairs funded before, and I look to her for guidance now. --- Chip Fiske is the chief operating officer of A Plus Medical in Augusta, Ga.