The year in stories

YARMOUTH, Maine - Competitive bidding and bankruptcies (three of them, to be exact) dominated the headlines of HME News in 2013.

We compiled a list of the five most read stories for 2013, plus the five most read stories about respiratory, mobility and financial-related topics. Here's what turned up.

Most read stories

CMS announces payment amounts for Round 2
BALTIMORE - CMS announced today that reimbursement rates for certain home medical equipment will be, on average, 45% lower than the current fee schedule as part of Round 2 of competitive bidding.

CMS announces contract suppliers for Round 2
BALTIMORE - CMS proceeded with its competitive bidding program today by releasing the names of 799 contract suppliers for Round 2.

CMS announces steeper cuts for Round 1 re-compete
BALTIMORE - The reimbursement rates for certain home medical equipment will be, on average, 37% lower as part of the Round 1 re-compete of competitive bidding, CMS announced today.

Competitive bidding: 'Everybody's in panic mode'
WASHINGTON - Although it's too soon to gauge how many providers accepted initial contracts for Round 2 of competitive bidding, stakeholders say it's likely that those who did, did so out of fear.

Bill calls for delay, review of bid program
WASHINGTON - Reps. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, have introduced a bill to delay the implementation of Round 2 of competitive bidding, according to The VGM Group.

Top 5 respiratory

CMS throws safety net to oxygen patients
BALTIMORE - It appears CMS has finally realized that you can't get blood from a stone—or oxygen equipment and services from an HME provider that has gone out of business.

Inogen stares down Round 2
'You have to play ball,' says Scott Wiklinson
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - When CMS announced the payment amounts for Round 2 of competitive bidding, Inogen, which was “offered some contracts and accepted some contracts,” had some explaining to do, says Scott Wilkinson.

Confluence of factors led to LMI's bankruptcy filing
'It's a big company and some people see that as an opportunity to fix what might be broken'
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Landauer Metropolitan Inc. (LMI) is positioning itself for a quick sale in the wake of its decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to industry watchers.

Apria bullish on success under bid program
LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Execs at Apria Healthcare revealed during an earnings call March 11 that the company was offered “a significant number of contracts” for Round 2 of competitive bidding.

Rotech to file for bankruptcy
ORLANDO, Fla. - Rotech Healthcare announced late on Friday that it plans to restructure and reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Top 5 Mobility

The Scooter Store: Will an indictment be next?
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - Federal and state officials, as well as The Scooter Store, are keeping a tight lid on the details of a raid at the company's corporate headquarters.

The Scooter Store impact spreads
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - The woes at The Scooter Store could hurt more than The Scooter Store, say multiple industry sources.

The Scooter Store proposes 'aggressive' sale
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - The future of The Scooter Store is in the hands of prospective buyers now that it has filed for bankruptcy.

Speculation swirls around The Scooter Store
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - One thing is certain: The future is uncertain for one of the largest providers of scooters and power wheelchairs.

The Scooter Store: 'A house of cards'
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - Being shut out from Rounds 1 and 2 of competitive bidding was the last straw for the nation's largest mobility provider.

Top 5 Moneyline

ISG deal opens up old wounds
'Things can get murky at times'
TWINSBURG, Ohio - Some HME providers are on edge about the new ownership at Invacare Supply Group (ISG).

Confluence of factors led to LMI's bankruptcy filing
'It's a big company and some people see that as an opportunity to fix what might be broken'
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Landauer Metropolitan Inc. (LMI) is positioning itself for a quick sale in the wake of its decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to industry watchers.

Apria bullish on success under bid program
LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Execs at Apria Healthcare revealed during an earnings call March 11 that the company was offered “a significant number of contracts” for Round 2 of competitive bidding.

Landauer files for Chapter 11 ahead of sale
WILMINGTON, Del. - Landauer Metropolitan, Inc., a Mount Vernon, N.Y.-based provider of home health equipment and supplies, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 16, citing an anticipated $26 million decline in revenue resulting from losses related to competitive bidding, according to news reports.

Rotech to file for bankruptcy
ORLANDO, Fla. - Rotech Healthcare announced late on Friday that it plans to restructure and reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.