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Archive: June 2016


Also Noted

VGM's retail experts hit the road

June 30, 2016HME News Staff

ATLANTA - The 2016 VGM Retail Science Roadshow will culminate in an eight-hour show at Medtrade, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Atlanta. Before Medtrade, however, the roadshow will make pit stops in Louisville, Ky., on July 19 and Dallas on Sept. 13. The roadshow is a one-day, hands-on educational event sponsored by VGM and led by Jim Greatorex and Maria Markusen. It provides practical tips, techniques and strategies for retail business. Attendees will also learn from vendors about the latest and greatest retail...

Medtrade, Retail


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News

HHS proposes changes to appeal process

June 30, 2016HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on June 28 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on changes to the Medicare claims appeal process. In the NPRM, HHS proposes additional administrative action to: . expand the pool of available adjudicators with the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals; . increase decision-making consistency among the levels of appeal; . and improve efficiency by streamlining the appeals process so less time is spent by adjudicators and...

Appeal, Backlog


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Also Noted

Horton's O&P goes high tech

June 30, 2016HME News Staff

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Horton's Orthotics & Prosthetics now uses high-precision CAD/CAM scanning technology. The provider has acquired a Vorum CAD/CAM scanner and high-speed carver, becoming the first in the state to deliver a faster and more comfortable experience for patients needing new orthotic and prosthetic devices. This technology can digitally capture an amputee or injured patient's limb shape with a pinpoint level of accuracy, the provider says. “Technicians can them use the program's...

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Orthotics, Prosthetics, Technology


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Also Noted

People news

June 30, 2016HME News Staff

James Newberry, a longtime practitioner and board member for the Board of Certification/Accreditation, passed away on June 27. He began his career as an orthotist/prosthetist while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Following his military service, he joined Mahnke's Orthotics and Prosthetics in Oakland Park, Fla., where he spent more than 40 years as owner, practitioner and director of orthotics/prosthetics. He was certified by BOC since 1984, when the organization was founded…Chris Roussos,...

Best Home Medical, Epic Health Services, People news


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Also Noted

Providers seek tax-exempt status for HME

June 30, 2016HME News Staff

LAS VEGAS - A group of providers on June 27 submitted more than 100,000 signatures to qualify an initiative to exempt certain HME from taxation for the November ballot, according to news reports. If it qualifies for the ballot, the initiative will ask voters whether certain HME, including oxygen tanks, ventilators and wheelchairs, should be exempt from the state's sales and use tax. Orthotics, prosthetics and certain other medical supplies are already exempt. Provider Doug Bennett of Bennett Medical...

Nevada, sales tax


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News

Industry's task remains unchanged, AAH says

June 30, 2016HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - A second round of Medicare reimbursement cuts goes into effect in non-bid areas on July 1, but it's not time to throw in the towel, AAHomecare said in a bulletin on June 29. “There's nothing like a crisis to help spur legislators to action,” the association stated. “We need to make sure that we let the House of Representatives and the Senate know that these cuts are taking rural providers and patients to the precipice of disaster.” The Senate passed...

Competitive Bidding, Legislation, Medicare, Reimbursement


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Specialty Providers

Pressures mount in sleep market

June 29, 2016HME News Staff

NEW YORK - HME providers report sleep patient volume is still growing, but not as much as in the past. Sleep patient volume grew 3.6% in the last 12 months and is expected to grow 6% in the next 12 months, according to respondents to the “HME Sleep and Oxygen Survey” for the second quarter of this year, conducted by Needham & Co., a subsidiary of The Needham Group, an investment banking and asset management firm. However, sleep patient volume was 6.6% and 7.9%, respectively, in...

CPAP, CPAP Mask, Inogen, Philips Respironics, Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC), ResMed, sleep market


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Also Noted

ResMed secures contract

June 29, 2016HME News Staff

SAN DIEGO - ResMed has been awarded a three-year supplier group-purchasing contract from Premier, a healthcare improvement alliance. The contract will enable Premier member hospitals and providers to offer ResMed's non-invasive ventilator products, according to a release. "Partnering with Premier also expands our market and provides us with more feedback from patients and providers to help drive our next innovations and keep pushing the boundaries in the medical technology space,” said Jon...

Non-invasive ventilators, Premier, ResMed


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Also Noted

Top honors

June 29, 2016HME News Staff

Pediatric Home Service has been recognized as one of Minnesota's Top 150 Workplaces by the Star Tribune. PHS was named eighth best mid-size company. It's the sixth year in a row that the St. Paul, Minn.-based PHS has made the list …Rex Pharmacy has been named the 2016 Pharmacy of the Year by McKesson. The award recognizes independent pharmacies that are driving the future of independent pharmacies, according to a release. The Atlantic, Iowa-based Rex Pharmacy was honored at an awards ceremony...

Independent Pharmacy, McKesson, Pediatric Home Service, Rex Pharmacy


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Also Noted

Good works

June 28, 2016HME News Staff

Aeroflow Healthcare recently made a donation to help a local elementary school build a playground that is accessible for children at all levels of mobility. The donation will allow Fairview Elementary to install poured-in-place barrier free surfacing and new playground equipment. The Asheville, N.C.-based Aeroflow is committed to charitable acts, including canned food drives and fundraising�Convaid Products and R82 presented a donation at the 14th Annual Rett Syndrome Symposisum. Convaid and R82...

Aeroflow, Convaid, Etac NA, R82


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