Tag: Manual
Invacare ups its power assist game
February 8, 2022HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio – Invacare has launched the next generation of its power assist devices: the Alber e-fix eco Power Assist. The next generation device, which transforms a manual wheelchair into a portable power wheelchair using a joystick, battery and in-wheel motors, features a modern design for the wheel hub and color display. “The new e-fix eco, our third new product in less than two years, follows successful launches of our award winning SMOOV and e-motion Power Assist products,”...
CMS exempts accessories from bid pricing – for good
July 29, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS in a final rule issued today says it will permanently stop applying competitive bidding pricing to accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs, NCART has reported.
In late June, CMS agreed to extend an 18-month pause on applying bid pricing to these accessories for an additional 90 days, until Oct. 1., to give the agency more time to review the industry’s request.
“We are sincerely grateful to CMS for making today’s policy decision and...
Permobil improves portfolio
April 27, 2021HME News Staff
STOCKHOLM – Permobil plans to buy Progeo, an Italian manufacturer of manual wheelchairs, to improve its portfolio in Europe.
“Progeo’s products will be available to users in more countries,” said Bengt Thorsson, CEO of Permobil. “At the same time, this deal increases the possibility to offer Permobil’s product range in Italy. This is an important step in our overall strategy of developing the next generation of advanced assistive technology and...
Invacare teams up with Toys for Tots
October 28, 2020HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare will give a toy to Toys for Tots for every Solara 3G Manual Wheelchair the company sells in November. “We're honored to continue to find ways to support our community this holiday season,” said Michael Salvi, director of manual mobility and seating. Features of the Solara, which Invacare has nicknamed “the tank” for its durability, include fully adjustable, easy to tilt, low-shear recline, foot-operated wheel lock and 300-pound weight capacity.
CMS publishes jam-packed proposed rule
October 27, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS seeks to continue paying higher payment amounts to suppliers in non-competitive bidding areas as part of a DMEPOS proposed rule that it published on Tuesday afternoon.
The agency also seeks to: permanently exempt manual wheelchairs and accessories from the bid program; classify all continuous glucose monitors, not just therapeutic CGMs, as DME and establish payment amounts for them and their related supplies and accessories; and expand the classification of external infusion pumps...
Invacare, Alber launch portable power assist solution
July 14, 2020HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare and Alber have introduced the SMOOV one, a power-assist solution for manual wheelchair users, in the U.S. market. The SMOOV one is a portable, rear-mounted power add-on. “This solution has represented yet another technological leap forward for Invacare and is a great addition to our portfolio of mobility products,” said Joost Beltman, Invacare's vice president of sales and marketing for North America. Features of the SMOOV one include: easily attached and detached...
CMS: New rates will be in place July 1
March 3, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS has provided an update on billing for accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs, according to NCART.
A bill was passed late last year requiring the agency to stop applying competitive bidding pricing to these accessories for 18 months starting Jan. 1, 2020.
NCART pulled these highlights from the update:
The new payment rates (not yet published) will be in place on July 1 and providers will be able to use the KU modifier for billing. Until July 1, providers should...
Accessories language passes Congress
December 17, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Language suspending competitive bidding pricing for accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs has passed as part of year-end spending legislation in both the House of Representatives and Senate, NCART reports.
The language, included in H.R. 1865, would require CMS to stop applying bid pricing to these accessories for 18 months starting Jan. 1, 2020.
The House passed the bill 297-120; the Senate 71-23. The president is expected to sign it Friday.
The language would also...
In brief: AAH meets with Humana Military, accessories issue clears another committee
July 18, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has requested that Humana Military waive the requirement for documentation submission with each subsequent rental month after the initial documentation is received.
Humana Military, which manages the Tricare East contract, is currently evaluating the request, the association says.
The development comes after Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations, and David Chandler, director of payer relations, met with executive leadership at Humana Military and Wisconsin...
'Two irons in the fire' for accessories
July 11, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The Health Subcommittee of the Energy & Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives has approved a bill that would, among other things, stop CMS from applying bid pricing to complex rehab manual wheelchairs for one year.H.R. 2328, the “Reauthorizing and Extending America's Community Health Act,” would also permanently exclude complex rehab manual wheelchairs from the competitive bidding program.“It's a positive, as we now have two CRT irons in the fire, which...