Archive: April 2020

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association has launched Fight4Rx to alert patients to the growing risk that their neighborhood pharmacy may close, not because of the coronavirus pandemic but because of what it calls “excessive profiteering.” The group says PMBs contribute to higher costs for patients, limit pharmacy choice and, in some cases, deny coverage for needed medications. “PBM policies are a leading reason why pharmacies have been closing at a rate...

YARMOUTH, Maine - Ty Bello and Prochant's Joey Graham have teamed up on a two-part podcast on “Navigating the New Normal” that goes live today at 3 p.m. EST. Part 1 of the podcast will review managing financials, participating in education and industry events, supporting and serving a team and working from home; Part 2 will review implementing an operating system, tapping into resources, looking for opportunities and developing a strategy. Earlier this year, Bello and Graham teamed up...

AAHomecare is accepting nominations for four open positions on its board of directors. To be nominated, you must be an AAHomecare member in good standing. Board members are expected to be available to other members to answer questions about the association's activities and to recruit new members. Email nominations to Sue Mairena at suem@aahomecare.org�CAIRE's FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator is now available in China. The Ball Ground, Ga.-based company will distribute the FreeStyle...

WASHINGTON - CMS has made another round of changes to support health care providers during the coronavirus pandemic, including allowing physical therapists and occupational therapists to provide telehealth services.“For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, CMS is waiving limitations on the types of clinical practitioners that can furnish Medicare telehealth services,” the agency stated. “Prior to this change, only doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certain...

ASHEBORO, N.C. - Ames Walker has pivoted some knitting machines from making socks to making masks. The company says it has the capability to produce more than 1 million masks per week. “While we remain committed to our customer's compression stocking needs, we felt it was our duty to further protect our customers because they look to us as a trusted source for products,” said Ryan Zell, co-owner and president. “Our customers' health and satisfaction is our No. 1 priority, and we...

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - WellSky and Qlik, a data and analytics company, have launched a “heat map” feature for home care providers. The WellSky COVID-19 Tracker allows providers to leverage data to track current outbreaks, anticipate locations with increasing infection rates and distribute valuable PPE based on where it's needed most. “With information changing daily, care providers need up-to-date data on where they should focus their attention and finite resources,” said Bill...

NEW YORK - Dario Health has partnered with MediOrbis to expand the service offering for its blood glucose monitoring system with a full suite of telemedicine capabilities for its 50,000 active users. With Dario's most recent app, users may now access a full complement of physician-directed patient care from home and other remote locations, a capability it says is necessary in the new reality of “stay at home.” “This partnership broadens Dario's SaaS-based service offering by delivering...

What is SeriousERP? SeriousERP is an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software platform designed to manage and improve every aspect of a DME/HME business. This system was built by collaborating with DME experts to reduce costs and improve efficiency while increasing productivity. SeriousERP has a modular design that allows clients to fully customize the solution while maintaining an affordable price point. In critical times, the...

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has added a Third-Party & MCO Tracking Resource page to its website as a repository for policy changes from major third-party payers during the coronavirus pandemic. The changes are available in a scrollable format on the website or through spreadsheets. Payers included: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CareCentrix, Centene, Excellus BCBS, Humana, Molina Healthcare of Michigan and UnitedHealthCare. This new resource joins a COVID-19 Resources & Guidance page,...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents more than 21,000 independent pharmacies across the country, lauds New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for authorizing independent pharmacies to serve as COVID-19 test centers. “We are deeply grateful to Gov. Cuomo for enlisting independent pharmacies in the fight against the pandemic,” said CEO B. Douglas Hoey. “Local pharmacies in New York and every state have been fighting for the authority to do testing...