VGM zeroes in on respiratory

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group says it can better serve the 70% of its provider members who provide respiratory products and services now that it has launched a specific program for them.

On March 1, VGM rolled out the first phase of its VGM Respiratory program for providers who provide sleep, vent and airway clearance products and services.

“We want one place for them to get all the tools they need to build a business or support an existing business,” said Dave Lyman, vice president of VGM Respiratory, whose background includes respiratory therapist for the Cleveland Clinic.

The program comprises everything from provider and patient education tools to profitability calculators to vendor resources, all of which will have a home on VGM's website, under programs, respiratory. In all, the company plans to roll out the program for providers of nine different product categories or “classes,” including oxygen.

The program and its online presence won't be static. The content will be updated routinely, not to mention pull in information from other divisions at VGM that focus on regulatory updates and retail opportunities, for example.

“It will constantly be in motion,” Lyman said.

The program is similar to other specific programs at VGM for other lines of business like U.S. Rehab for complex rehab.

“Our membership is getting more specialized in the forms of DME that they're providing,” Lyman said.

The program is also a testament to VGM's confidence in the respiratory market and its ability to withstand ongoing challenges from competitive bidding, and other regulatory and reimbursement challenges.

“There's a need for what these providers do because of the hospital readmission program,” Lyman said. “The services that they provide are helping to prevent readmissions. We just have to do a better job showing the impact they're having on patient outcomes.”