Archive: September 2015

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association has launched a five-part video series that looks at how community pharmacies can adapt to changing healthcare models and improve patient care. Topics include the role of technology, marketing, and new models of payment, according to a press release. “Pharmacy is changing and the shift toward quality standards and value-based patient care presents opportunities, as well as challenges,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey. “Community...

DENVER, Colo. - YouCan TooCan Home Medical Supply has opened a new store in Colorado Springs, it announced today. The 2,500-square-foot store offers scooters, wheelchairs, lift chairs, respiratory equipment and aids to daily living. The store is owned by Marvin Holland, who acquired it in November 2014.

Brightree's electronic health record solution for home health and hospice has been selected by Merida Health Care Group. Merida already uses Brightree's solution for HME…The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association has announced the winners of its annual student poster awards: Tyler Klenow has received the Otto and Lucille Becker Award for his orthotic abstract, “A Functional Comparison of Carbon Fiber AFO and Two Modular KAFO Conditions Using Outcome Measures in a Veteran Subject with Traumatic...

WINAMAC, Ind. - BraunAbility has signed an agreement to sell to Patricia Industries, a division of Stockholm, Sweden-based Investor AB.BraunAbility will join Permobil on Patricia Industries' roster of “high-quality, high-growth” companies, according to a press release.“With the support of Patricia Industries, we will be positioned to accelerate our rate of growth, powered by product innovation, development of our brand promise within the communities we serve and continued expansion...

WASHINGTON - Stakeholders are now petitioning the Obama Administration to step in and reverse CMS's plans to apply competitive bidding pricing to accessories for complex rehab wheelchairs on Jan. 1. The petition had 765 signatures at press time, with a goal of 100,000 by Oct. 23. “This will have a devastating people across the U.S,” the petition reads. “To protect access for people with severe disabilities, this policy must be rescinded.” This is only the most recent effort...

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Craig H. Nielsen Foundation has awarded a one-year, $49,000 grant to Barbara Crane and Laura Cohen to develop and deploy a seating and wheeled mobility training curriculum for entry level physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, and for continuing education for practicing clinicians. “There are limited training opportunities for professionals to gain the skills needed to prescribe a wheelchair effectively, particularly at the pre-professional level,” a...

LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Apria Healthcare has extended its partnership with MoInlycke Health Care by taking fulfillment and support for the Avance Max negative pressure wound therapy system to acute facilities across the country. This complements Apria's existing role as exclusive U.S. distributor of MoInlycke's Avance Flex negative pressure wound therapy system for the home. “Transition planning upon admission with product continuity is now possible, benefitting patients and healthcare professionals...

A. Coca-Cola, Nike, McDonald's, Apple.These one-word business names represent some of the most well-known brands in the world. When you read these brand names, what do you envision? Do you immediately know what each company does? How each brand makes you feel? If you can quickly answer these questions, it is clear each brand has made an impact on your life. Often, communication professionals and businesses simplify a brand into colors, taglines and logos. Although these elements are important,...

A. Ensuring your patients come up with payments when their bills are due is becoming more difficult than ever before. With 76% of Americans living from paycheck to paycheck, and 62% of Americans unable to find even $500 to pay for an unexpected expense, it's little wonder that providers are not getting paid. Providers can reduce the number of patients going to collections with some careful considerations.Offer choices Offering a choice of payment can often make the difference between getting...

A. Shifts in the market point to continued growth in managed Medicaid. This is the place where most HME providers will need to be prepared to play. So whether you get a direct contract or become part of a network, success requires that your company be built for a managed care world. The following are key elements in being a sustainable HME managed care provider.Cost: We often focus on product costs but this is about operational efficiency and bringing service costs in line with revenue. This includes...