In brief: Trace recruits Geffert, Hoveround adds CRT, Joel Marx named Champion

WHITMORE LAKE, Mich. – Trace Medical, a provider of ventilation rentals and biomedical services, has appointed Clint Geffert, formerly of VGM & Associates, as its chief growth officer. 

“We are excited to have Clint join the Trace team,” said Greg Apostolou, CEO. “His contribution to the HME industry has been nothing short of amazing, and his experience and industry-reach align well with our strategic growth plans.” 

“Clint’s industry experience and reputation is a perfect fit for Trace as we further expand our value proposition to better support our customers,” added Elliot Campbell, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. 

Most recently, Geffert was president of commercial operations at React Health. Previously, he was president of VGM & Associates from 2014-22. 

Geffert, who has collaborated with Trace for many years, praised the company’s dedication to driving positive clinical outcomes, while delivering financial success for its customers. 

“Cultivating growth isn’t just a role – it’s a mindset,” he said. “I am excited to join Trace, where together we will chart new territories, innovate fearlessly and forge a path to unparalleled success in the ever-evolving landscape of HME.” 

Hoveround launches HMS 

BRADENTON, Fla. – Hoveround, a company providing power mobility devices and home accessibility products in more than 40 states, has launched Hoveround Mobility Solutions (HMS) to serve the complex rehab market. 

Through HMS, Hoveround and its ATPs, RTSs and Complex Rehab Technology Team will work closely with physicians and physical and occupational therapists to select the most appropriate complex rehab technology to fit a client’s needs. 

“For over 30 years, Hoveround has been committed to providing mobility independence on a national level to our customers,” said Adam Frerichs, CEO of Hoveround. “Expanding operations into complex rehab makes sense. We want our customers to know that we are there for them as their conditions and mobility limitations change over time. Not only is Hoveround dedicated to providing high quality products to our customers, but we are dedicated to providing service, repair, and replacement for the products we sell.” 

HMS is focused on custom rehab power wheelchairs, adaptive seating systems, alternative positioning systems, and mobility devices requiring evaluation, fitting, configuration, adjustment and/or programming. 

The company will provide equipment from manufacturers like Permobil, Sunrise Medical and Merits. 

“We have been fortunate in establishing partnerships with some of the biggest names in CRT manufacturing,” said Issac Ortiz, vice president of field operations for Hoveround. “Our partners have been incredibly supportive of the HMS vision of providing a world-class client experience from initial evaluation to delivery and beyond with service.” 

Joel Marx named Homecare Champion 

DALLAS – Joel Marx has been named the 2024 Van Miller Homecare Champion in honor of his contributions to and advocacy for the HME industry, AAHomecare has announced. 
 
Marx, chairman of Cleveland-based Medical Service Company, has served on various boards and committees on a state and national level, including past president of the Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services, chairman of AAHomecare’s Home Medical Equipment/Respiratory Therapy Council (HME/RT) and past chairman of the association’s board of directors.  

He was also a strong advocate for halting and fixing Medicare’s competitive bidding program, testifying before the Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, participating in meetings with lawmakers and conducting media interviews. 

“Joel exudes passion, leadership and a collaborative nature,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO. “He has served in varying levels of leadership, providing clear insight into the direction the HME industry should be headed and understanding of how to get there. He is willing to take a stand for patients and colleagues and I am honored to call him a friend. I look forward to recognizing him with this prestigious award.” 

Marx will be honored at the Stand Up For Homecare reception at Medtrade in Dallas on Wednesday, March 27, at d.e.c. on dragon. 

• Read an interview with last year’s Van Miller Homecare Champion, Kam Yuricich. 

Cyberattack: Highmark launches assistance program 

PITTSBURGH – Health insurer Highmark has launched an assistance program to provide funding advances for eligible participating providers who use Change Healthcare or one of its impacted companies and are experiencing cash flow concerns due to an inability to submit claims.  

Eligibility for assistance and amount of assistance will be determined based on a variety of factors, including inability to use an alternate method to submit claims and current financial need. 

“We understand that some smaller physician practices and other providers who have been affected by this cyber event have not been able to submit claims and are facing financial hardships,” said Kate Musler, senior vice president of Health Plan Risk Management and Provider Networks. “This assistance program will help those providers get through this disruption and will also help ensure that our members can continue to access care and utilize the benefits they deserve.” 

To apply for the assistance program, providers must submit a form located on Highmark’s provider portal. Providers who are approved for a funding advance must sign an agreement and the funding advance will be subject to the terms outlined in that agreement including repayment obligations. 

Providers who use clearinghouses other than Change Healthcare or one of its impacted companies are not eligible for the assistance program. 

Change Healthcare in late February reported it was hit with a cyberattack and disconnected its systems. 

• Providers described the impact to their businesses in a recent HME Newspoll. 

ACU-Serve acquires Beyond HME 

AKRON, Ohio – ACU-Serve has acquired Beyond HME, which offers resupply services, in a strategic move to enhance its offerings.  

"The acquisition of Beyond HME represents a pivotal moment for ACU-Serve as we continue to pursue strategic growth opportunities in the health care sector," said Jim Knight, president of ACU-Serve. "Beyond HME's reputation for excellence and its focus on re-supply services complement our existing offerings, positioning us for even greater success in meeting the evolving needs of our clients." 

ACU-Serve first partnered with Beyond HME to offer resupply services in February 2023. 

As part of the transition, nearly 30 employees from Siesta Key, Fla.-based Beyond HME will join the ACU-Serve team, including Margaret Lindskog as executive vice president of resupply. 

"At Beyond, our primary goal has been to construct a customer-centric approach, rooted in the values of exceptional patient care and outcomes,” said Jim Dragatsis, CEO of Beyond HME. “Our steadfast belief, like that at ACU-Serve, is that the success of our customers defines our success. We stand poised to elevate resupply at ACU-Serve and to meet their standards of excellence." 

ACU-Serve announced on Oct. 19 that Lovell Minnick Partners, a private equity firm that has raised about $4.75 billion of committed capital since 1999, would invest in the company to accelerate its growth. 

O&P bill introduced in Senate 

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., have introduced a bill that would, among other things prohibit “drop shipping” of custom orthoses and prostheses to Medicare beneficiaries. 

The legislation, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act, is a companion to a bill introduced in the House in June 2023 and now has 35 co-sponsors. 

“The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association appreciates the support and efforts of Senators Mark Warner and Steve Daines on the introduction of the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act,” said Eve Lee, executive director of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. “We look forward to working with them and our sponsors in the House to pass this important piece of legislation.” 

Other provisions in the bill: It would ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access the full range of orthotic care from one O&P practitioner rather than requiring patients to visit multiple providers when the treating orthotist or prosthetist does not have a competitive bidding contract and; and ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access replacement custom-fitted and custom-fabricated orthoses when a change in their condition or clinical needs occurs. 

“This comprehensive legislation is important to both the O&P profession as well as the patients its serves,” said Mitchell Dobson, president of AOPA. “The legislation will help address the costly fraudulent practices Medicare beneficiaries have been experiencing in the recent years. It will also ensure that individuals living with limb loss and limb difference have access to the safe, quality clinical care they need and deserve. Thank you to Senators Warner and Daines for their work to get this introduced in the Senate.” 

AOPA will host its 2024 Policy Forum April 15-16 in Washington, where they will meet with lawmakers to ask for their support for the legislation. 

Sleepnet recalls masks with magnets 

HAMPTON, N.H. – Sleepnet Corporation has initiated a voluntary worldwide recall for all CPAP and BiPAP masks with magnets due to potential interference with certain medical devices. When a magnet comes into close proximity to certain medical implants or metallic implants, it could interfere with the performance or the position of the implant, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Sleepnet has been distributing masks with magnets since 2006 and to date there have been no Medical Device Reports associated with the Sleepnet masks with magnets. Affected products are Mojo Full Face Vented Mask, Mojo Full Face Non‐Vented Mask, Mojo 2 Full Face Vented Mask, Mojo 2 Full Face Non‐ Vented Mask, Mojo 2 Full Face AAV Non‐Vented Mask, iQ 2 Nasal Mask, and Phantom 2 Nasal Mask. This is applicable to all lot/UDI numbers. Sleepnet says its masks with magnets are safe when used in accordance with the newly updated instructions for use. It says users can continue using masks according to the updated instructions and labeling if patients or people in close proximity to them do not have implanted metallic medical devices or metallic objects in the body. Sleepnet is adding a new contraindication and an updated warning to the Instructions for Use labeling of the affected products. This will be included in the labeling for all future production of these masks. Consumers with questions may contact Sleepnet at hkoppusetty@sleepnetcorp.com or call 1‐800‐742‐3646. 

Part B infusion visits decrease 

WASHINGTON – Home infusion service visits continued to decline in the first half of 2023, according to CMS’s annual monitoring report on the Medicare Part B home infusion therapy (HIT) benefit. The HIT market is concentrated, with seven of the 82 HIT suppliers providing about 56% of the HIT service visits in the past 12 months. The quarterly number of HIT supplier organizations increased from 42 in Q1 2021 to a quarterly high of 74 in Q3 2022 before dropping to 60 in Q2 2023, according to the report. Only 203 suppliers have participated in the benefit out of nearly 1,500 eligible infusion pharmacies and thousands of home health agencies, leaving many states with no participating providers for Part B HIT services, says the National Home Infusion Association, which is advocating for the passage of the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, bills(S. 1976 and H.R. 4104) that would include pharmacy services as part of the home infusion therapy benefit under Medicare, covering everything from assessments to drug preparation and compounding to care coordination and documentation. The bills would also direct CMS to pay 50% of the nursing rate on days when home infusion is provided, even when a nurse is not present.  

Insulet appoints news CFO 
ACTON, Mass. – Insulet, maker of the Omnipod, has named Ana Maria Chadwick executive vice president, CFO and treasurer, effective April 22. Chadwick is a finance executive with 30 years of experience, including her current position as executive vice president and CFO of Pitney Bowes. “We are thrilled to welcome Ana to Insulet,” said Jim Hollingshead, president and CEO. “She is an experienced public company CFO, and her achievements throughout her career demonstrate that she is a proven, highly accomplished, and versatile executive. Ana is known for her insight, intellectual agility, and compelling and collaborative leadership. She will be a strong addition to our leadership team as we continue to scale and expand our business.” Previously, Chadwick spent more than 27 years at GE, where she held a variety of financial and operational roles, including CEO and COO of GE Capital Global Legacy Solutions and CFO of GE Capital Energy Financial Services. Lauren Budden, who has been serving as the company’s interim CFO and treasurer, will continue in her role as group vice president, chief accounting officer and controller.