Tag: FAA
Respironics passes FAA test
July 22, 2016HME News Staff
MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Philips Respironics announced July 21 that its SimplyGo Mini portable oxygen concentrator conforms to all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements for carriage and in-flight use onboard aircraft. SimplyGo Mini is now a new option for HME providers to offer active respiratory patients, following the legacy of its predecessor, the SimplyGo. “With its lightweight design and reliable therapy delivery system, SimplyGo Mini empowers patients who struggle with respiratory...
House passes sleep apnea bill
February 14, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives on Feb. 11 passed a bill that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to go through a rulemaking process before implementing a new sleep apnea policy. The bill, introduced by Reps. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., and Rick Larsen, D-Wash., will likely slow down the FAA's plans to require pilots with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater to undergo testing for sleep apnea. There's a nearly identical bill in the Senate.
In brief: Report cites spike in PAP use, Inogen sets IPO terms
February 7, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The number of beneficiaries receiving PAP devices for a one-year time period grew 13%, while the total number of beneficiaries receiving all DMEPOS items during the same period fell 1%, according to a recently released comparative billing report. Compiled by eGlobal Tech and Palmetto GBA, the report used data from claims processed by the DME MACs between July 2012 and June 2013. They also found allowed charges on PAP devices rose 23%, when allowed charges for all DMEPOS items fell by...
FAA OKs three concentrators for inflight use
February 6, 2014HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given its stamp of approval for three more portable oxygen concentrators to be used on planes. Newly authorized are SeQual Technologies' eQuinox Moxel 4000, Oxywell Model 4000 and VBOX Trooper, according to a Feb. 5 release from the FAA. Patients may now bring 23 models of oxygen concentrators on airplanes. Despite the stamp of approval, the Department of Transportation “strongly encourages airlines to voluntarily allow the inflight...
In brief: CMS reports glitch, OIG reports overpayments
January 17, 2014HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A problem with ordering/referring physician data in the DME MAC claim system is affecting processing, as well as the data available in the myCGS web portal and the Jurisdiction C IVR, according to a bulletin from CGS. CMS and DME MAC system maintenance contractors are researching the issue. CGS says it will provide more information when it becomes available. CMS on Jan. 6 started denying claims with the names of physicians who are not enrolled in PECOS.
Medicare overpays...
In brief: CMS puts finger on fraud, DME MACs remind docs about PECOS
December 20, 2013HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Industry watchers expect CMS to select a contractor early next year to administer a new fingerprinting provision aimed at curbing fraud and abuse. An RFP seeking a contactor to handle the process has a submission deadline of Dec. 23 and an award date of late February, according to AAHomecare. The provision mandates that “high-risk” providers submit fingerprints for a background check through the FBI's database. Those who will be subjected to the rule include newly enrolling...
FAA advances plan, rejects calls for rulemaking
December 16, 2013HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -The Federal Aviation Administration is skipping the rulemaking process and moving ahead with plans to test all overweight pilots for sleep apnea, news reports say. Because the plan enhances, not changes, existing policy, the agency says the rulemaking process is unnecessary. The screening policy will go into effect after the agency has completed its formal guidelines, probably in January, reports say. Pilots with body mass indices of 40 or greater must be screened for sleep apnea and...
FAA approves seven more portable oxygen concentrators
October 23, 2012HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved an additional seven portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) for use aboard aircraft, according to multiple reports.
The newly authorized devices are the AirSep Focus, AirSep Freestyle 5, Inogen One G3, Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox, Respironics Simply Go, Precision Medical EasyPulse, and the SeQual SAROS. POCs are small devices that separate oxygen from nitrogen and other gases in the air and provide oxygen to users at greater than 90%...
FAA inflates travel O2 options
January 26, 2010Mike Moran
WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) OK'd four more portable oxygen concentrators for air travel Jan. 6, bringing the total of approved units to 11.
The newly authorized POCs are DeVilbiss Healthcare's iGo, International Biophysics Corporation's LifeChoice, Inogen's One G2 and Oxlife's Independence Oxygen Concentrator.
"This is our latest step toward making air travel more accessible for people who need medical oxygen," stated FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "We want these...