Tag: rtNow
rtNOW pinch hits with two new services
September 1, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
MINNEAPOLIS – rtNOW now offers tele-respiratory services specifically for CPAP setup and adherence, and ventilator follow up.
The company works with HME providers to determine the best “insertion point” for these services, whether it’s at the front end when the order comes through or at the back end when patients already have their equipment, says Curt Merriman, chief sales officer and an RT.
“We don’t want HME providers to replace the current...
Telehealth: Maximize resources
August 18, 2021Curt Merriman
Q. With the continued shortage of respiratory therapists, how do we look for ways to maximize this scarce resource?
A.One HME company has outsourced their RT coverage exclusively with a tele-respiratory therapist. This organization incorporates a couple of strategies:
The customer comes into the HME’s location and meets with a customer service representative and a tele-respiratory therapist joins remotely to provide the PAP setup instruction. The relationship is developed...
Telehealth: Consider remote patient monitoring
July 7, 2021Curt Merriman
Q. Is there an opportunity for me to provide remote patient monitoring?
A.The HME industry has always had innovators and care providers interested in providing health care services that improve a patient’s quality of life in their homes. At the same time, payers continuously ratchet the fee schedules downward. Remote physiological monitoring can be a game changer.
While not officially recognized by CMS as telehealth, RPM does have four primary CPT codes (99453m 99454,...
Telehealth: Look outside the box
June 8, 2021Curt Merriman
Q. How can I grow my home ventilation program?
A. In part 1 of this series, I talked about “raising some eyebrows in a good way.” The topic was remote PAP setups. Let’s continue with remote ventilator follow-ups. The RT labor shortage has hit HME companies particularly hard, so looking “outside the box” for solutions is certainly a good idea.
Removing barriers to success is essential for providing telehealth in the home setting. This is important whether...
Virtual visits expected to continue for sleep
May 28, 2021John Andrews
As the country prepares to transition away from COVID-related restrictions, the sleep therapy industry is looking at how to proceed with patient care, CPAP provision and sleep testing going forward. One of the main issues is whether continuing with virtual technology applications used during the height of the pandemic is beneficial or necessary. According to some sleep specialists, the trend will continue.
Katherine Royster, vice president for sales and marketing at Winter Haven, Fla.-based 3B...
Telehealth: Break HME paradigms
May 12, 2021Curt Merriman
Q. What is driving the telehealth landscape?
A. The next four articles are going to raise some eyebrows - in a good way! For the last six years, I have been involved in empowering respiratory care in new and exciting ways, and I will paint a picture of the emerging HME/tele-respiratory landscape.
Let’s start with remote PAP set ups.
Along came a public health emergency: COVID-19. This took the HME industry into the uncharted...