Tag: Hurricane Harvey
Industry, CMS need to 'have conversation' about disaster relief
September 28, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - The havoc wrought by Hurricane Florence in September highlighted, once again, the need for policy changes in disaster situations, say HME stakeholders.
“What gets lost (is the need) to get better reimbursement to take care of people in devastated areas,” said Bill Guidetti, executive vice president, East Zone, Apria Healthcare. “There are a lot of hidden costs.”
Guidetti serves on an AAHomecare work group that was formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey,...
First-person account: Anne Kieschnik
October 20, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
HOUSTON - Anne Kieschnik has worked in the complex rehab industry for more than 38 years and has lived in Houston her whole life.She's no stranger to hurricanes and tropical storms, but Hurricane Harvey in August packed a punch like she'd never seen before.“There was 59 inches of water, depending on where you were,” said Kieschnik, an ATP development manager for Numotion. “There's just no place for that water to go.”Kieschnik was lucky enough to live in an area that was an...
Aeroflow donates to Harvey victims
September 21, 2017HME News Staff
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aeroflow Healthcare will donate medical equipment and supplies, including wheelchairs, diapers and bed pads, to residents of Orangefield, Texas, which was hit by Hurricane Harvey in August. “Our thoughts are with everyone who was affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Healthcare, in a release. “As residents continue to face flooding, toxic waters and the loss of their homes, we hope these supplies offer some comfort and support during this...
Hurricane Harvey: FODAC helps manage equipment needs
September 14, 2017HME News Staff
HOUSTON - Representatives from Atlanta-based Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), which provides mobility aids to people with disabilities, traveled to storm-ravaged Houston this week to help set up and manage national collection and local distribution of DME to those affected in the area. FODAC says more than 813,000 households have requested assistance, many with special needs residents. “DME vendors have been very generous with donations of vital equipment, such as wheelchairs,...
Disaster relief: Stakeholders press for policy changes
September 8, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - As Hurricane Irma barreled toward Florida last week, industry stakeholders met with CMS officials to discuss serious issues that arise in disaster situations.One thing being discussed: Whether there is a possibility of getting the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for oxygen tanks in such situations, says Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare.“If CMS indicates (there could be) a gap in coverage—and Laurence Wilson seems willing to do that—it'll notify FEMA,”...
CMS issues disaster guidance for DME
September 7, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Medicare will pay for beneficiary-owned DME that has been damaged or destroyed in circumstances related to a declared emergency like Hurricane Harvey.Guidance issued today also:Establishes that a new physician order, face-to-face requirements, and new medical necessity documentation are not needed for the replacement.Still requires a narrative description, explaining why the equipment must be replaced.Extends the notification deadline for subcontracting agreements to 30 days.The announcement...
Hurricane Harvey: Providers begin clean up, question CMS policy
September 1, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
HOUSTON - As the massive flooding left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey began to recede last week, HME providers were starting to assess the damage wrought by the historic storm.Provider Craig Yager was finally able to get into the Pasadena location of InterMED Medical Supply. Although the office stayed dry, the surrounding area had been submerged.“My Dickinson storage was a total loss, but my Pasadena storage is OK,” said Yager, owner. “I'm working with Special Needs at Sea to donate...
Diabetes supplies en route to Texas
August 30, 2017HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Diabetes Association, JDRF and Insulin for Life have secured and shipped more than 3,750 pounds of donated diabetes supplies to people with diabetes affected by Hurricane Harvey, they announced Aug. 29. Five pallets, each of which includes 200,000 syringes, 50,000 pen needles and 20,000 alcohol pads, are already en route to the Houston area. Accompanying each pallet are separate packages containing dozens of blood glucose meters along with thousands of glucose test strips...