Archive: September 2008
Tropical storm offers lessons to be learned
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
MIAMI--Some Florida providers used August's Tropical Storm Fay to tell Medicare beneficiaries they could be left high and dry when a 36-month oxygen cap kicks in early next year.
“We started getting calls for (back-up equipment) on Saturday and realized this was a good opportunity to let oxygen patients know about changes to their benefit,” said Rob Brant, CEO of City Medical Services in North Miami Beach, Fla. “They are not going to be able to ask for extra oxygen tanks and portable...
Issues with NCB, senator agrees
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, addressed several hundred employees in the main lobby of The Scooter Store's headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas, recently. Cornyn, a strong supporter of improving fraud prevention and detection, spoke about the Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation Protection Act (STOP Act), a bill that he introduced, along with Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., in June. S. 3164 would, among other things, require Medicare carriers to confirm with the National Supplier Clearinghouse that claims for...
Deal puts providers on defensive
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
Soporex's sale of 20,000 respiratory medication patients to Lincare in August could have far-reaching consequences for HME providers, say industry sources.
Just before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Aug. 22, Dallas-based Soporex told senior pharmacy staff at its Independent Home Pharmacy to start transferring patient records to Med4Home, Lincare's respiratory pharmacy .
Med4Home, say industry insiders, has a reputation for “data mining” patient bases for other business.
“They...
Hartman gives standing orders
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
MONTROSE, Colo.--Hartman Brothers Medical believes it has a rare relationship with physicians that allows both parties to spend less time doing paperwork and more time taking care of home oxygen patients.
About two years ago, Hartman created a form that spells out the routine services that its respiratory therapists (RTs) are allowed to provide without having to go back to physicians for approval-things like adjusting liter flows and performing titrations. It then asked physicians to sign the form,...
Providers ‘prepare for worst’
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
Providers aren't holding their breath as they wait for answers from CMS regarding the 36-month cap on oxygen reimbursement. Instead, they are busy developing strategies for dealing with falling revenues.
“We're kind of preparing for the worst from a financial perspective,” said Jason Seeley, president of Dasco Home Medical Equipment in Ohio.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, Medicare will cease paying monthly reimbursement for oxygen equipment that has been in use for three years.
In preparation...
Providers ready to bargain
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
In recent years, Medtrade attendees have forgone buying in favor of the show's educational offerings. This year not so much, according to the September HME NewsPoll.
Topping the to-do list for attendees this year: checking out new products, say 40% of the 235 poll respondents.
“We're going back to the basics of exploring new products, gaining product knowledge and getting back to selling new items and products, like we used to do years ago,” wrote one provider. “We will attend...
Family’s gift creates wheelchair clinic
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
HONOLULU--One family's gift helped to create the Kosasa Gait and Wheelchair Clinic at The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, the hospital announced last month. After nearly $150,000 in donations since 1998, the Kosasa family, owners of the ABC Stores, donated another $10,000 to create the clinic, according to reports. Therapists will conduct assessments and assist clinicians with setting up seating systems for patients.
Less adds more
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
STATHAM, Ga.--Adjustable beds, bath lifts, dumbwaiters, electric wheelchairs, lift chairs and other lifting devices are among the new product offerings from Electric Scooters 4 Less, the provider announced in July. Staff completed a “rigorous training schedule and are very knowledgeable about these new products,” the company stated in a release.
People news
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
Pride Mobility Products President Dan Meuser is leaving the company after 20 years to pursue a career in public service, the company announced in August. Meuser joined the manufacturer in 1988. Meuser took a leave of absence last fall to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In April, he lost in the primary, 52% to 48%. Meuser will maintain his shareholder position and will continue to hold a seat on the company's board of directors...The VGM Group named James Phillips COO, the organization...
Walgreens expands into Idaho
September 30, 2008HME News Staff
DEERFIELD, Ill.--Walgreens-OptionCare gained a Northwest presence when it joined forces with Nampa, Idaho-based provider MedNow in August.
The company will operate under the name MedNow, a Walgreens Affiliate, in a partnership that benefits both companies, said Michael Polzin, Walgreens spokesman.
“We are building off their business in an area we didn't previously serve,” he said. “And adding the Walgreens name benefits them.”
Walgreens-OptionCare provides home IV, respiratory...