Tag: Ryan Ball
Data-driven decisions
January 6, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM in November launched Market Data 2.0, a new tool for tapping into its claims database that Ryan Ball says “brings data to life.” The new tool, accessible by desktop computer, mobile phone or tablet, is a feature-rich map—a more efficient and strategic way to view data on key referral sources and provider market share, he says.“Based on feedback of what would be helpful, we've provided 1.) better visibility into the data, and 2.) made it more actionable,”...
Patient Data: Find way to be relevant
December 29, 2017Ryan Ball
A. Most HME providers already have an existing database of patients and capture key information during the intake process; so, what's the next step? What products and strategies are most effective? How can you measure success?As with all marketing, you must find a way to be relevant to the audience; data can help target different products based on demographics and disease state. In addition to understanding patient challenges based on the equipment you provide, timing is also a significant...
Patient Data: Become consultative
November 21, 2017Ryan Ball
A. The first step in creating a direct-to-patient marketing program is to focus on data collection. Collecting data and obtaining written permissions from patients to contact them about not just medically necessary resupply-type items (something all HME providers should be doing), but also other products that have proven effective for patients that utilize the HME item. Providers who, oftentimes, manage the health of thousands of patients suffering from chronic or debilitating disease, must become...
Patient Data; Generate new revenue streams
October 20, 2017Ryan Ball
A. HME providers work with hundreds of thousands of patients every year, helping to better manage illness, and for seniors, provide the ability to age comfortably at home. They provide care and are a trusted source for the products and services patients rely on day in and day out. Who better to provide recommendations on additional products that can enhance the care or quality of living than a patient's trusted in-home HME provider?When it comes to marketing, an HME provider can contact an existing...
Patient Data: Tap into this resource
September 22, 2017Ryan Ball
A. The HME community has faced many challenges over the past few years, from competitive bidding to bundled payment initiatives and audit programs. Providers are left assessing all available options to generate more business and find new revenue streams. HME providers must focus on creating a strong, efficient marketing operation to communicate with referral sources and directly to patients.While many providers don't realize it, there is a new potential revenue stream already at their fingertips:...
VGM's Ball wins O&P award
September 20, 2017HME News Staff
LAS VEGAS - VGM Group's Ryan Ball received the Sam E. Hamontree Business Education Award at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association's World Congress earlier this month. The award, determined by attendee votes, recognizes the best business education paper, idea and/or proposal presented at the annual conference. Ball, director of VGM Market Data, gave a presentation, “Competitive Differentiator: Executing a Data-Driven Growth Strategy in O&P,” during which he highlighted how using...
VGM group connects younger workforce
August 28, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
Millennials in the office are a hot topic these days, with older generations often bemoaning them for certain stereotypes. However, the under-40 workforce has plenty to offer, including the ability to look at the HME industry from a fresh perspective, says VGM's Ryan Ball.“They are coming in and saying, 'This is the landscape now and whatever happened 10 years ago isn't important,'” said Ball, director of VGM Market Data. “”We have to figure out how to be successful now.”VGM...
Stakeholders warn state lawmakers on bidding supplies
March 28, 2014Leah Hoenen
WASHINGTON - A recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) report calls on CMS to urge states to cut costs on incontinence supplies, and the agency agreed. Industry stakeholders warn that could lead to an expansion of competitive bidding.
Released in January, the report found Medicaid fee-for-service programs spent $266 million on disposable incontinence supplies in 2012, but they could have saved $62 million, or 23%, by using median competitive bidding prices, a move that five states have already...
VGM testifies at small business hearing
June 21, 2013HME News Staff
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Ryan Ball, director of state policy at VGM & Associates, voiced concerns about Medicare's competitive bidding program and its negative impact on small providers at a Small Business Administration (SBA) regulatory fairness hearing today (June 21). In the testimony, Ball zeroed in on how the program favors larger providers that can submit lower bids and pinches smaller businesses out of the market. “Small, independent providers cannot sustain a 45% cut to reimbursement levels,...