General news
|
|
H.R. 3790: Industry 'encouraged there will be some movement' |
By Liz Beaulieu Editor - 02.19.2010
|
|
WASHINGTON - Industry stakeholders hope that a flurry of activity, culminating with the AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference next week, will significantly boost the number of co-sponsors for H.R. 3790, a bill that would eliminate national competitive bidding.
"There has been a lot of activity in support of the bill in the months and weeks leading up to our conference," said Michael Reinemer, vice president, communications and policy, for AAHomecare. "We hope our conference will help attract a critical mass of cosponsors for H.R. 3790 and advance other key priorities, including education of lawmakers about the value of home care."
Currently, H.R. 3790, introduced Oct. 13, 2009, by Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., has 140 co-sponsors.
The Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America (AMEPA) attracted about 70 providers and industry stakeholders to a conference and rally in California Feb. 11 to drum up co-sponsors for the bill. Only four of the state's 53 representatives are co-sponsors so far.
"Two others have committed to cosponsoring the bill (as a result of the conference and rally)," said Rob Brant, president of AMEPA and general manager of City Medical Services in North Miami Beach, Fla. "We hope to get at least 10 co-sponsors from southern California, which includes LA and the Riverside MSAs."
AMEPA, the Illinois Association for Medical Equipment Services (IAMES) and the VGM Group have scheduled a similar event in Chicago for this week. "Illinois in District Day for H.R. 3790" will include a Webinar to educate providers on the bill on Feb. 23 and visits to district offices on Feb. 25.
"There are 11 representatives in the Chicago MSA and none have co-sponsored the bill," Brant said.
Brant and others will follow up on their California and Chicago visits in Washington, D.C., during AAHomecare's conference.
Additionally, the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) declared Feb. 12 to Feb. 22 "SOS Week: Save Our Jobs--Protect Our Patients," encouraging providers to contact their representatives to co-sponsor the bill.
"We have heard from a number of people who have contacted their representatives, and we feel there will be some gains based on the feedback that we've gotten," said Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of NAIMES. "I'm encouraged there will be some movement."
|
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
HME News Info Center |
|
|
|
|
CALENDAR
|
|
| 2-2 Can You Really Do That? Debunking Medicare Myths | September 2, 2010 @ 2:00pm EST
This webinar will set out to distinguish the difference between Medicare myths and reality. Participants will learn what is really acceptable under Medicare guidelines and will have the opportunity to get their own Medicare myths debunked.
Cost is $99. Register at: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
| | 9-9 Pre-Payment Review & RAC Audits: Steps to Prepare for and Survive These Eve | 2:30-4:00 p.m. ET
Don’t miss the “Pre-Payment Reviews and RAC Audits: Steps to Prepare for and Survive These Life-Altering Events” teleconference on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 2:30- 4:00 p.m. ET, with Jeffrey Baird, Esq., Brown & Fortunato.
To participate in the September 9 teleconference, complete the form and return the member registration fee of $129/non-member registration fee $189, per phone line by Wednesday, September 8, to Ashley Wyatt, AAHomecare, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 725, Arlington, VA 22202, 703-535-1880 or fax to 703-836-6730. You will receive instructions on connecting to the call as well as any handouts or additional information by e-mail. Please submit questions in advance to ashleyw@aahomecare.org no later than September 8. No refunds after September 8.
| | 10-10 "Sales Skills for 'Competitive' Times" | AAHomecare teleconference. 2-3:30 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880
| | 11-11 CAMPS Exemptee Training | San Diego, Calif.
Anyone applying for an exemptee license through the Department of Health Services and is responsible for overseeing prescription devices should be sure to attend this seminar. After this training program, attendees will be knowledgeable of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards that apply to the storage and handling of drugs; practical ways of complying in storage, handling and distributing dangerous devices; understand medical terminology as it relates to prescriptions, appropriate abbreviations, dosages and format. To register:
http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:EX-SD
| | 12-14 2010 HME News Business Summit | Data and Market Intelligence You Can’t Get Anywhere Else!
The tools and strategies you need to drive revenue and cut costs are at the 2010 HME News Business Summit. We deliver real-life case studies, original research and industry benchmarks. Join your peers for two days of top-notch education and networking.
Nashville Hilton Downtown
Nashville, Tenn.
To review the educational program: http://www.hmesummit.com/speakers.html
To register: https://www.b2bmediaportal.com/hmesummit/hmesummit.aspx
| | 13-17 Blue Ridge Symposium | Four conferences in one week. Choose your specialty or area of interest: Sleep Conference; Asthma Education;Home Care Conference; Respiratory Care Conference
Earn at least six CRCE/CEUs everyday
Location: Blue Ridge Shadows, Front Royal, Va.
Visit us on the Web at: www.valleyhealthlink.com/brs
Contact us at: brs@valleyhealthlink.com
or Call (540) 536-8941
| | 16-16 CAMPS Reception Dinner | 5-6 reception, 6-8 dinner, Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport, 18800 Macarthur Blvd, Irvine
CAMPS invites you to attend a special mixer for an update on the state's budget issues impacting the Medi-Cal program and program changes that impact DME and medical supplies. Special guest speaker: Norma Torres, assembly member. To registeR:
http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:RECPDNR2
| | 17-17 "Essential Acronyms for Office Efficiency: CSR, AR and DSO" | AAHomecare teleconference. 2-3:30 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880
| | 24-24 “Successful Ingredients: The Recipe for AR Management” | AAHomecare teleconference. 2:30-4 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880.
| | 30-30 Respiratory Updates Vital to Your Business: Oxygen, CPAP and RAD | 2010 has been a year of change for oxygen, CPAP and RAD suppliers. Join Andrea Stark for this informative webinar and ensure your respiratory business is operating in compliance with the Medicare program. 11am & 3pm EST. Cost: $99 per conference line. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
| |
| 6-7 JAMES 2010 Annual Conference | This year's theme: "Barriers to Boomers - How to Overcome and Prosper." The conference will be held at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch, N.J. FMI: www.jamesofnj.org.
| | 9-9 CAMPS Exemptee Training | San Francisco, Calif.
Anyone applying for an exemptee license through the Department of Health Services and is responsible for overseeing prescription devices should be sure to attend this seminar. After this training program, attendees will be knowledgeable of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards that apply to the storage and handling of drugs; practical ways of complying in storage, handling and distributing dangerous devices; understand medical terminology as it relates to prescriptions, appropriate abbreviations, dosages and format. To register:
http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:EX-SF
| | 15-15 Competitive Bidding: Is it Really Winner Takes All? | With the recently released Round 1 bid amounts scheduled to be implemented in 2011 and the Round 2 bid window set to open next spring, Competitive Bidding is moving full speed with almost no signs of stopping. During this webinar, Andrea Stark will discuss what all DMEPOS suppliers need to know about the Competitive Bidding program, even if you don’t win a contract or plan to bid. 2pm EST. Cost: $99 per conference line. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
| |
| 4-4 Coverage and Documentation Requirements for the Rehab Provider: Keeping You | This webinar will help suppliers ensure they have a clear understanding of Medicare’s current coverage criteria for mobility assistive equipment. In addition to ensuring the patient meets coverage criteria, mobility suppliers will also learn which documents they must have on file in the event of an audit, and how to walk the fine line between “educating” and “leading” the physician. 3pm EST. Cost: $99 per conference line. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
| | 16-18 Medtrade | Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Medtrade connects the HME industry. Stay ahead of HME industry changes and find the latest tools to help your clients. Join us at the largest home medical equipment even in the western US as we bring more exhibitors, more ideas, and more products than ever before.
Visit www.medtrade.com for more information and to register.
| | 25-25 DME Workshop: Make Your Accreditation Work for You | ACHC is pleased to announce a new DME workshop, "Make your Accreditation Work for You," on November 15, 2010. This half day workshop, which coincides with Medtrade in Atlanta, is designed to help providers prepare for ACHC Accreditation and is perfect for companies that are renewing accreditation or applying for the first time. In addition to covering ACHC Accreditation Standards, Tim Safley will guide providers through the accreditation process and also demonstrate how accreditation is more than just a requirement. Accreditation can save valuable time and money, give companies a competitive edge and show strengths and opportunities for improvement. Ample question and answer time will be provided during lunch. Experience the ACHC difference and discover all the ways ACHC is working to add value to accreditation.
Providers attending this workshop will also receive a free expo pass for Medtrade. Workshop registration information can be found at www.achc.org. For more information, please contact Stacey Hahn at (919) 785-1214 or at shahn@achc.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
