Archive: October 2008
Short takes
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
The FDA has given Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based Teleflex Medical the OK to market the Hudson RCI Neb-U-Mask, a respiratory device that allows delivery of both aerosolized medication and a high concentration of medical gases to treat acute asthma exacerbations, the manufacturer announced Sept. 30…Invacare and Invacare Top End were two of 10 major sponsors of a new event for injured veterans organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The event, the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic,...
Confusion surrounds sleep revision
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
One aspect of the newly revised local coverage determinations (LCDs) for sleep devices has industry stakeholders seeking clarification.
The original policy, issued in July, says compliance must be tracked using a downloadable device. The revised policy, issued Sept. 18, allows either “direct download from equipment or by visual inspection of adherence information.”
The problem, say industry stakeholders: Only machines with downloadable capability can provide the specific adherence information...
Do what’s right and fight the good fight
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
The recent financial crisis in our country started me thinking about our industry and the implications of macro-economics.
The people we serve need homecare equipment to go on with their lives. This service/product lifeline is not optional to them personally, and the money it saves for the healthcare system is critical. The need for quality home care is of particular concern in light of the ongoing (no, it is not over) fight over so-called competitive bidding. This evil program was stalled by a...
Another call to duty
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
HOUSTON--In September, after Hurricane Ike swept the coast of Texas and barreled north, providers, some still without phones and electricity, were going to great lengths to continue caring for patients.
At Pro2 Respiratory Services in Cincinnati, where Ike's remnants delivered 69 mph winds, all employees, from the president on down, were distributing oxygen cylinders to patients.
“A number of our employees have been out from sunrise to sunset every day for the past five days,” said...
HDI reaches ‘inflection point’
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--Home Diagnostics Inc. (HDI) hopes two recent product launches, including TRUE2go, “the world's smallest blood glucose monitor,” will help it continue to gain ground.
“Let's be clear: While HDI is growing fast, we have only 3% market share, so there's room for growth,” said Scott Verner, senior vice president of marketing. “This is a major inflection point for the company.”
HDI has spent three years and more than $15 million to get the TRUE2go...
DOJ investigates McKesson Corp.
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
WASHINGTON--The government has intervened in a lawsuit against several companies, including McKesson, that alleges they accepted illegal kickbacks and formed sham DME companies, the Department of Justice announced Oct. 6. In a complaint, the government alleges that McKesson, through a subsidiary called MediNet, structured arrangements that ensured its DME and supplies were used by Beverly Enterprises at its Golden Horizons assisted living facilities. Furthermore, it alleges McKesson promised Beverly...
Accreditation: Time is running out
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
With the Sept. 30, 2009, mandatory accreditation deadline now less than a year away, accrediting organizations say business is steady, but the applications aren't exactly flying in.
“There's definitely been an increase but it's nowhere near where it needs to be,” said Sandra Canally, president of The Compliance Team.
CMS has recommended that providers have their applications in to accrediting organizations by Jan. 31, 2009, if they want to make sure they meet the September deadline....
Smooth sailing
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
Participants in the “Smooth Sailing Annual Cruise for Respiratory Patients” flew across the country Sept. 13 with help from Respironics.
Respironics donated 16 of its EverGo portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) to the American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania, organizers of the cruise, so patients could use them on flights across the country to Seattle, where they set sail on a nine-day Alaskan cruise.
For the past 13 years, patients relied on ground transportation, which...
Group reaches 100-member milestone
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
In the face of industry skepticism, Wayne Stanfield launched the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) in June 2007. In September, the association reached-and then quickly surpassed-the 100-member mark. Stanfield spoke to HME News recently about the journey so far.
HME News: How have you liked running an association?
Wayne Stanfield: It's been challenging but it's been a fun process. I'm a person that if I do something, I believe in it. I have been in this industry...
Andrea Stark: Take advantage of billers
October 31, 2008HME News Staff
Ever step into your biller's shoes for a day? If you did, asserts reimbursement expert Andrea Stark, you'd get an eye-opening look at the day-to-day challenges that keep your reimbursement department operating at diminished capacity. Improving reimbursement results requires digging deep to uncover what's holding your team back from optimum productivity and efficiency. Stark will offer her tips and strategies in “Doing More With Less-Tools and Services to Improve Productivity in Your Reimbursement...