Archive: January 2015
'Providers will be less conservative' in Round 2
January 30, 2015Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - A new rule that allows HME providers to carve up their competitive bidding contracts could make for more aggressive bidding in the Round 2 re-compete, industry attorneys say.CMS has lifted “the prohibition against subdividing a contract that would allow a contract supplier to sell a distinct company that furnishes a specific product category or (serves) a specific competitive bidding area.”“I think providers will be less cautious, conservative and fearful about...
Medicare sees a number, not someone's mother
January 30, 2015HME News Staff
I need to call a patient's family and tell them that I either have to pick up the hospital bed they are renting from me, or they have to sign a document that states they are willing to pay privately.
I provided them a bed and the claim for that bed was randomly picked by the Medicare contractor Noridian to be audited. An audit of a claim should not scare anyone—you would expect that they look at the documentation and see if the patient needs the equipment. Well it does not work that...
In brief: Rotech, Drive Medical make deals
January 30, 2015HME News Staff
ORLAND, Fla. - Rotech Healthcare has purchased the respiratory assets of a local DME provider in the Gulfport, Miss. area. “We are pleased to expand our existing services in the Gulfport area,” said CEO Tim Pigg in a press release. “Rotech will continue to look for expansion opportunities and pursue asset purchase agreements with the best local providers across the country.” In the last two months, Rotech has acquired assets from Specialized Medical Services in Cody, Wyo.,...
WOPD requirement still problematic
January 30, 2015Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - CMS has been enforcing the written order prior to delivery (WOPD) requirement for a year now, but compliance is still a road filled with potholes for many HME providers, industry stakeholders say.
One big reason, says AAHomecare's Kim Brummett: The DME MACs are requiring more than the minimum five elements outlined in the Affordable Care Act (ACA): beneficiary name, DME item ordered, prescribing practitioner's NPI number and signature, and date of order.
“The MACs...
Providers handle Nor'easter
January 30, 2015Tracy Orzel
YARMOUTH, Maine - As winter storm Juno dumped 2 feet of snow on much of the northeastern seaboard last week, HME providers prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.Absolute Respiratory Care in Johnston, R.I., made calls to more than 700 oxygen patients to make sure they knew how to use their backup tanks in the event of a power outage.“We delivered backup tanks all day on Monday,” said Owner Jayne Matoian. “The last delivery was done at 8 p.m.”Had there been an emergency...
Shield upsizes operations
January 30, 2015HME News Staff
VALENCIA, Calif. - Shield HealthCare has moved its sales and distribution operations in Chicago to Elmhurst, Ill. A new, larger facility there will allow the provider of home medical supplies to gain efficiencies as it responds to its growing customer population, according to a press release. Shield offers a variety of disposable medical supplies, including incontinence, enteral nutrition, urological and wound care supplies.
Walgreens keeps hand in home infusion
January 30, 2015Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
DEERFIELD, Ill. - The sale of its home infusion business to a private equity firm will give Walgreens the chance to double down on the growing market.“Walgreens believes in the home infusion industry,” said Justin Ishbia, founder and managing partner of Shore Capital Partners, a private equity firm that used own a competing home infusion company. “They're not trying to exit it.”Per the deal, announced Jan. 20, Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm,...
Rotech continues buying streak
January 29, 2015HME News Staff
ORLANDO - Rotech Healthcare has purchased the respiratory assets of a local DME provider in the Gulfport, Miss., area. “We are pleased to expand our existing services in the Gulfport area,” said CEO Tim Pigg in a press release. “Rotech will continue to look for expansion opportunities and pursue asset purchase agreements with the best local providers across the country.” In the last two months, Rotech has acquired assets from Specialized Medical Services in Cody, Wyo.,...
Lawmakers re-introduce home infusion bills
January 29, 2015HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Stakeholders are back with new bills that seek to require Medicare to cover home infusion therapy.
Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Mark Warner, D-Va., and Reps. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, introduced “The Medicare Home Infusion Site of Care Act of 2015” on Jan. 28 in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Medicare will cover most infusion drugs but, unlike private payers, it provides only limited coverage for related supplies, services and equipment.
“Home...
Aeroflow launches new breastpump commercial
January 29, 2015HME News Staff
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aeroflow Breastpumps launched a TV campaign aimed at educating pregnant women on how to qualify for a free breastpump through their insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Maria Eilers, marketing manager at Aeroflow, said in a press release that the company is eager to “educate moms on their breastfeeding benefits and help them through what could be an extremely stressful and confusing process.” The new commercial is currently airing on TLC, ABC Family, Lifetime, HGTV,...