Archive: April 2018
DME MACs: Revised CMNs aren't necessary
April 30, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The DME MACs have rescinded part of their updated guidance for the oxygen CMN.
Back on Feb. 15, the MACs published an article with new supplier guidance on how to use new Q modifiers on the certificate of medical necessity form. They instructed providers to report the calculated average flow rate for Question 5 on the CMN when a patient has differing daytime and nighttime prescribed flow rates. They also instructed providers to submit revised CMNs in this situation.
In an article...
Round 2019: Plenty of questions, still no answers
April 27, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - With only seven months to go until the current competitive bidding contracts expire across the country, HME providers are getting antsy for information on Round 2019.“We've heard nothing,” said Josh Eckstein, vice president of Complete Home Care in Buffalo, N.Y., which holds a respiratory contract. “I need to decide what my next move is. There's no chance there is enough time to evaluate my bid then figure out whether to accept a new contract.”CMS has typically...
Grand theft HME
April 27, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
AUSTIN, Texas - Provider Nick Murphey had a rude awakening recently, when he learned that two thieves had stolen a trailer containing tens of thousands of dollars in home medical equipment from his business.“I have so many fires to put out every day, with competitive bidding and managed care plans—it's a wonder I'm even in business today because of all the cuts,” said Murphey, co-owner of Kerring Group Home Medical. “The last thing I need is to be dealing with this.”Security...
CBO remains hurdle for complex rehab bills
April 27, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON �- Complex rehab stakeholders have a tough, but not impossible, battle ahead of them to get their legislation passed in Congress this year, lobbyist Amy Cunniffe told the attendees of the National CRT Leadership & Advocacy Conference on April 25.
Stakeholders have two bills they're trying to pass in Congress: H.R. 3730 and S. 486, which would stop CMS from applying competitive bidding related pricing for accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs; and H.R. 750, which...
ResMed's Farrell calls Q3 'strong'
April 27, 2018HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - ResMed reported revenues of $591.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, a 15% increase compared to the same quarter last year.It reported revenues of $317.5 million in the United States, Canada and Latin America, a 7% increase, and revenues of $39.9 million from Brightree, a 14% increase. It reported revenues of $234.2 million in Europe, Asia and other markets, a 16% increase.ResMed reported a net income of $110.1 million for the third quarter, a 25% increase compared to...
In brief: Outdated tech a pain for wheelchair users, NSM makes buy
April 27, 2018HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - Nine out of 10 wheelchair users in the U.S. experience pain as a result of their device, according to a new study.
The study, conducted by ComRes for the Toyota Mobility Foundation, polled wheelchair users in five countries.
In November, the foundation launched the $4 million Mobility Unlimited Challenge to change the lives of people with lower-limb paralysis with “game-changing” technology.
"This research expresses the urgent need for innovation in this area,”...
ResMed rides connected health wave overseas
April 27, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SAN DIEGO - ResMed got a nice boost from Europe and Asia in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, as growth in the U.S. slowed slightly.In Japan, a revised reimbursement system went into effect on April 1 that allows physicians to be paid for remote telemonitoring of CPAP patients.“In anticipation of increasing demand for telemonitoring capability, our Japanese customers have stepped up their adoption of the AirView platform and AirSense 10 devices, our 100% cloud-connected sleep apnea therapeutic...
Sleep patients have their say
April 26, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Sleep apnea patients and their family members will share perspectives on living with the condition with Food and Drug Administration regulators, drug and medical device developers, and researchers, according to a release from the American Sleep Apnea Association. The AWAKE Sleep Apnea Initiative will collect patient and caregiver experiences as they relate to diagnosis, impact on daily life, symptom management, and treatment expectations through an online survey. A meeting with FDA officials...
Home Oxygen Company clears TPE
April 26, 2018HME News Staff
MODESTO, Calif. - Home Oxygen Company has cleared the first round of review for the Targeted Probe and Educate program, the company announced April 25. “This is a collaborative effort between internal and external teams, resulting in compliant files,” said Andrea Ewert, CEO. “We continue our process for success despite the obvious burden.” Noridian Healthcare Solutions, the DME MAC for jurisdictions A and D, selected Home Oxygen Company's CPAP claims for the TPE program...
NSM makes 'special' buy
April 25, 2018HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating & Mobility has acquired Chattanooga-based Professional Rehab & Mobility. The deal, which also includes locations in Knoxville and Kingsport, allows NSM to expand its reach throughout Tennessee. “Tennessee is home to both our corporate headquarters in Franklin, and our operations center in Chattanooga, making this acquisition particularly special to NSM,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO, in a press release. Professional Rehab was launched in 2003 by respiratory...