Archive: June 2008
Ability Van Rentals debuts name
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
MENTOR, Ohio--Wheelchair Getaways has changed its name to Ability Van Rentals. The Mentor, Ohio-based company still provides wheelchair van rental service via stores in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. The company's minivans or full-sized vans feature raised roofs or lowered floors and automatic ramps or lifts. Rentals cost $99 for one day; $89 per day for three to six days; and $79 per day for seven to 29 days. Ability Van Rentals provides vehicle pick-up and delivery, as well as 24-hour...
Subcontracting? Don’t forget anti-kickback statutes
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
Just because CMS has given the industry little guidance about subcontracting for national competitive bidding, doesn't mean contract providers have free reign to craft any type of agreement they want, industry attorneys warn.
Contract providers, attorneys point out, must still comply with anti-kickback statutes.
“There's an awful lot of subcontracting interest and activity, and I expect that's going to result in a lot of subcontracts,” said Neil Caesar, president of the Health Law Center...
AdvaCare Home Services shoots for repeat success
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
BRIDGEVILLE, Pa.--After an experiment with a retail layout at its Beaver, Pa., location “went extremely well,” AdvaCare Home Services debuted a similar layout at its Pittsburgh location in June. “We've doubled our sales in Beaver, and every month, sales continue to grow,” said President and CEO Tammy Zelenko. “Our therapist does about five or six mask fittings in one day.” AdvaCare held a grand opening June 9-13 for the redesigned Pittsburgh location. Events...
Documentation workshops
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
PITTSBURGH--The rehab industry continues to learn new things about the requirements for providing power mobility devices.
During a May 29 workshop, Dr. Paul Hughes, the medical director for Jurisdiction A, advised providers against driving any part of the process of supplying power wheelchairs. When beneficiaries call about power wheelchairs, for example, Hughes advised providers to direct them to physicians.
“(Hughes) was clear: Medicare wants providers to keep their fingerprints off of...
Providers in transition
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine--Competitive bidding may have leveled the playing field among contract winners, but providers who actively seek out new Medicare business will pull ahead in the long run, industry sources say.
In tight markets, smaller things can make a huge difference, said Joe Sansone, founder and CEO of TMC Consulting and TMC Orthopedic.
“If any one of those (contract holders) actively promotes themselves, they are going to be light years ahead of the providers who are sitting on their...
City Council cheers carve-out cause
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
PITTSBURGH--When it comes to garnering support for the rehab carve-out bill, industry advocate Mark Schmeler isn't afraid to mix local, state and federal politics.
Schemeler, a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, convinced the Pittsburgh City Council to craft a resolution that calls on U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., to sign on to H.R. 2231, which would exempt complex rehab from national competitive bidding. He expected the nine-member council to pass the resolution at a June 24 meeting.
“(Doyle's)...
‘Show me the money’
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
Reimbursement rates, billing codes, profit margins, cost-effective solutions-today, more than ever, HME providers want expertise on the tips of the tongues of their sales reps.
Once, it was all about product-brochures, demos, samples and freebies. Today, with fuel costs soaring and reimbursement dwindling, the rep who packs pointers on optimizing profit margin is the welcome rep in HME shops across the country.
“It is important for reps to have a better understanding of reimbursement, as...
Association keeps eye on Medicaid
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.--National competitive bidding may be all anyone can think about, but the Illinois Association for Medical Equipment Services (IAMES) has Medicaid on its mind.
“When everyone, like The VGM Group, is doing so much to fight competitive bidding, why would we want to make that our focus,” said Alan Kirk, immediate past president of IAMES and vice president of Total Home Health in Elgin.
IAMES officials meet with Medicaid officials on a semi-regular basis. Before each meeting,...
Stark introduces bill to delay NCB
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
WASHINGTON--June 12 will be a day to remember for the home medical equipment industry. On that day, it managed not only to get a bill introduced that would delay national competitive bidding but also to stave off another attempt to cut oxygen and power wheelchair reimbursement.
Competitive bidding
On June 12, Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., introduced a bill that would terminate Round 1 contracts and re-bid them in 18 or 24 months. H.R. 6252 would also delay Round 2 until at least 2011.
The Senate...
Apria inks deal with Smith & Nephew
June 30, 2008HME News Staff
LAKE FOREST, Calif.--Apria entered the negative pressure wound therapy market with seven competitive bidding contracts and a freshly inked deal with pump manufacturer Smith & Nephew. Under the agreement, announced May 13, Apria will provide Smith & Nephew's products and services to Medicare beneficiaries and others covered by managed care plans.