Archive: November 2018

ATLANTA - Brightree has added a patient engagement tool to the toolboxes of its HME provider customers.At Medtrade in October, the company debuted Patient Hub by Brightree, a mobile app that automates and simplifies how providers connect with their patients. It had the app on display at its booth on a jumbo-sized smart phone that Steve Rogers, vice president, product management, dubbed “phonezilla.”“We wanted to give providers a tool where they could communicate where people communicate...

ATLANTA - Much like HME providers, The Compliance Team has had to reinvent itself over the years. The Spring House, Pa.-based accrediting organization, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has diversified into different post-acute care markets and launched additional products, including the new Exemplary Provider designation for Patient-Centered Respiratory Home, and in the process grown to 35 employees. Here's what Sandra Canally, the only woman to own an accrediting organization, had...

Technology may not be the first word that springs to mind in reference to the incontinence, skin and wound care market, but perhaps its time that it took front and center. Innovations in connected care and therapeutic materials are becoming prominent in the category and offer viable applications for HME providers.One option for the incontinence segment just launched in September: the DFree portable bladder monitor from San Diego-based Triple W. The wearable product detects bladder volume levels and...

WATERLOO, Iowa - The best equipment provided by the best professionals results in the best care, according to the latest quality assurance data from U.S. Rehab members participating in its Functional Mobility Assessment tool.Almost 76% percent of patients report that they haven't fallen after receiving new equipment, compared to 48% who report they haven't fallen with their existing equipment, the FMA tool shows.“It shows that falls are affected dramatically by the right equipment,” said...

While we can all appreciate the importance of getting a good night's sleep, we know there are millions of people who need assistance catching some “ZZZs.” Age, obesity and a greater public awareness of the importance of sleep has led to a steadily growing number of Americans who are tested and treated for sleep apnea.In fact, a recent studyconvened by ResMed found that sleep apnea affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide. With so many people affected, treatment is moving out of the specialized...

It's hard to believe that 2018 is quickly coming to an end. In this industry, we blink and another year is behind us. At VGM, we experienced many examples this year that truly illustrate productive change—forward movement in technology, providers dipping their toes in the waters of opportunity, and engagement at all levels to continue to come together to take care of America's post-acute patients.We launched a series of playbooks in 2018as a resource for both providers and manufacturers that...

In our beautiful, small and mostly rural (except by CMS standards) state of West Virginia, we periodically endure floods, snowstorms and high winds resulting in power outages. Thankfully, West Virginia did not receive the bad weather that at one point was forecasted during Hurricane Florence, but our colleagues in the Carolinas did and they are still suffering from the storm.I think it is important during times like these to remind our friends in Congress and at CMS of the important role local home...

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. - Reliable Medical Supply has grown organically to four locations in Minnesota, but with an outside investor now on board, it has set its sights on expanding through acquisition into new geographical markets.The first area of focus for the company, whose top product categories are complex rehab and vents: buying another company that will allow it to better serve patients in western Wisconsin.“There are patient access issues out there,” said Debra Kalk, president...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — LifeH2H has completed an acquisition and plans to launch a new product in 2019 to help other HME providers better position themselves to health systems.“We believe there's an incredible disconnect between the health system and post-acute care,” said Dewey Roof, president of LifeH2H. “What the (health system's) needs are and what they are looking to accomplish, versus what we have to do to be successful as HME providers.”The forthcoming LifeH2H Solutions...

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Olivia Patton, chief compliance officer for Verus Healthcare, recently wrote a dissertation analyzing the financial stability of a Medicare respiratory contract supplier.HME News spoke to Patton about her findings and how HME providers can remain in business despite reimbursement cuts.HME News: Why did you choose to research this topic?Olivia Patton: DME providers are going out of business left and right, and what I wanted to know is, how do you actually stay financially...