Archive: July 2009
GF gets domestic
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ATLANTA--As part of a “Back in the USA Strategic Initiative” announced July 7, Graham-Field (GF) has moved select manufacturing back to the United States. “Our customers are looking for unique products, greater flexibility relative to product features and more efficient logistics,” stated Lawrence de la Haba, senior vice president of business development, in a release. “Domestic manufacturing allows us to meet these needs.” GF's Patriotic Homecare Bed is the first...
'We think it's a game changer'
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
HARTFORD, Conn.--CareCentrix has worked quietly over the past 10 months, formulating a new strategic plan that ties in directly to healthcare reform. During that time, the benefits-management company - HME, home care and infusion - for private insurers has put in place a new executive team of healthcare professionals. Its mission: Prove that homecare services can “reduce a payer's inpatient costs while delivering improved and clearly measurable healthcare costs.” CareCentrix, which generated...
Oxygen letters continue to circulate
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
WASHINGTON--A letter signed by 70 lawmakers was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee June 16, asking its members to include oxygen reform language in healthcare reform legislation. The letter, circulated by Reps. Mike Ross, D-Ark., and Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., “is permanently open for signatures,” according to AAHomecare. On another front: H.R. 2373, a bill that would repeal the 36-month cap on Medicare oxygen reimbursement, has 61 co-sponsors, according to NAIMES.
Norco banks on conservation
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
MERIDIAN, Idaho--Many providers are striving for employee efficiency these days, but Norco recently decided to make its newest building work smarter, too.
The provider just finished construction on a new 47,000-square-foot warehouse and retail showroom in Meridian. The new building is loaded with energy-saving features.
“We realized that with a large building like that, anything that would help save energy is going to be good for the environment,” said Chad Mendenhall, director of marketing...
Accreditation status needs to be verified
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--There's a chance that accreditation for home infusion may not pass muster with Medicare's quality standards for durable medical equipment and supplies (DMEPOS).
“It's not that they are not meeting CMS's quality standards, it's that they are not certified as meeting them by their accrediting organization,” said Bruce Rodman, vice president of health information and policy for the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA).
All providers who bill for Medicare Part B must...
Get on board or be left behind
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
As I was reading this issue, I was struck by the number of technology-related stories. There are 10 of them, by my count. The Providers section, alone, has four, all on the main page.
That's not even counting the Respiratory Special Report (see insert on page 13), which has its fair share of technology-related stories, too. One of those stories features provider Oxygen One, which has reduced the number of follow-up calls it makes to patients to discuss CPAP compliance and supply needs from 150 to...
New NEMED officers
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
HYANNIS, Mass.--The New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED) Association voted in new officers at its annual meeting in June. Tamme Dustin of Herron & Smith, Hooksett, N.H., will serve as president; Jack Hogan of Health Complex Medical, Waterbury, Conn., vice president; Chris Henry of The Medical Store, Burlington, Vt., treasurer; and Steven DeYoung of Home Medical Equipment Services, Manchester N.H., secretary.
ATG Rehab fast tracks paperwork
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ROCKY HILL, Conn.--ATG Rehab plans to arm all 70 of its rehab technology suppliers (RTSs) with customized tablet PCs by the end of the year, after beta testing showed the technology significantly increased their productivity.
As part of RTS Express, about 30 of ATG's RTSs already use the tablet PCs to complete documentation in the field and upload it wirelessly. As a result, RTSs like Brian Edwards now provide wheelchairs - from evaluation to delivery - in about 65 days. (The industry average, by...
Providers in no rush to connect online
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
Despite the hype surrounding online social networking, a recent HME NewsPoll revealed that a majority of HME providers are not convinced of its value as a business tool.
“I'm not sure which of our referral sources would look on Facebook, etc., for an HME provider,” wrote one respondent. “And most of our seniors do not have a presence on these sites.”
This respondent's not alone in his thinking. Nearly three quarters of respondents to the poll do not currently have a presence...
Industry stages extreme makeover
July 31, 2009HME News Staff
ATLANTA--A powerful group of industry leaders has convinced Medtrade to up its game and its value to HME manufacturers, providers and consumers.
“The last couple of years people were quite dissatisfied, but I think now we have it on the right track,” said Bill Elliott, president and CEO of The MED Group
Those on board with the makeover include Invacare, MED, Pride Mobility, Drive Medical, NCART, The VGM Group and many others. They impressed upon the industry's largest trade show the need...