Tag: COVID-19
Study: Adults with OSA more likely to have long COVID
May 11, 2023HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - Adults with obstructive sleep apnea were more likely to experience long-term symptoms suggestive of long COVID (75%) than those without the sleep disorder, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The findings, part of the NIH’s Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, were published in the journal SLEEP. The EHR data of more than 2.2 million Americans with COVID-19 was studied and suggests close monitoring after a COVID-19...
CMS OKs continued use of CR modifier
May 2, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The DME MACs have published new directions that state for claims impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, HME providers can continue to use the CR modifier and COVID-19 narrative for ongoing rental and supplies/accessories after the public health emergency ends on May 11, AAHomecare reports.
The instructions rescind the announcement in an MLN Connects in March that directed providers to stop using the CR modifier after the end of the PHE.
“To address concerns...
NCPA cheers HHS decision on COVID-19 vaccines
April 17, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is applauding the announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that extend certain pharmacist authorities through December of 2024. Specifically, the move will allow pharmacists, techs, and interns to continue administering COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to patients ages three and over. “Pharmacy teams and those throughout the supply chain worked hard to make the federal vaccine program a success, and...
CMS to provide guidance on sunsetting of PHE
February 23, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – COVID-19 remains a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and over the next several months, CMS will work to ensure a smooth transition. The Department of Health and Human Services announced Feb. 9 that the public health emergency will end May 11, 2023. During the PHE, CMS has used a combination of emergency authority waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance to ensure easier access to care during the PHE for health care providers...
NHIA: Pandemic shortages sent drug prices soaring
February 8, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Prices for parenteral nutrition (PN) components and disposable supplies rose dramatically during the pandemic due to supply chain challenges and shortages, according to a new white paper from the National Home Infusion Association. “It’s important that payers have a full understanding of the context in which home infusion providers are delivering high-quality, cost-effective care and work to reflect those factors in their reimbursement models,” said Connie Sullivan,...
NHIA named COVID Hero of New York
October 5, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – At its Annual Meeting on Sept. 28, The National Home Infusion Association was honored as a “COVID Hero of New York” by NewYorkBIO. The awards showcase members of NewYorkBIO who were at “ground zero” when the pandemic swept the United States and pulled together to keep Americans and America’s health care workforce safe. “NewYorkBIO was pleased to honor a number of individuals as COVID Heroes. I am in awe of the work that Connie (Sullivan,...
Aeroflow: Pandemic impacting urology
June 21, 2022HME News Staff
ARDEN, N.C. – Almost half of the respondents to a survey conducted by Aeroflow Urology say their trips to the bathroom have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from the survey include: 25% report altering their schedules to urinate more often; 22% who had COVID report having more frequent urges to urinate; 53% report urinating more than six times in 24 hours; and 43% report decreased physical activity and an increase in trips to the bathroom. Aeroflow Urology surveyed...
NHIA seeks permanent payment for COVID therapy
May 26, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Association has sent a letter to Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, asking the agency to make permanent Medicare payment for COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies (mABs). HHS’s vaccine program created coverage for home and suite-based infusions of COVID mABs, but it's set to expire when the public health emergency ends. NHIA points out that access to home infusion for mABs for the treatment and prevention...
Trial calls into question effectiveness of home pulse oximetry for COVID-19 patients
April 12, 2022HME News Staff
PHILADELPHIA – The addition of home pulse oximetry to remote monitoring for patients with test-confirmed COVID-19 did not result in a greater number of days alive and out of the hospital than subjective assessments of dyspnea alone, according to a trial conducted by physicians and other health care professionals at the University of Pennsylvania.
Twenty-eight physicians and other health care professionals from the Perelman School of Medicine published a letter to the editor in...
OIG: ‘Telehealth was critical during pandemic’
March 21, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – More than two in five Medicare beneficiaries, or 28 million, used telehealth during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General.
In total, beneficiaries used 88 times more telehealth services during the first year of the pandemic than they used in the prior year, the OIG found.
“Telehealth was critical for providing services to Medicare beneficiaries during the first year of the pandemic,”...