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AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Philips estimates that its recall of certain CPAP devices and ventilators created a headwind of about EUR 150 million for the company’s sales in the third quarter of 2021.  Philips reported EUR 4.2 billion in group sales for the third quarter, a 7.6% comparable decline due to not only the recall but also global supply chain challenges.  “Excluding the Sleep & Respiratory Care business, year-to-date comparable sales growth was 10% and...

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Philips expects to share additional research and test data on patient risk from recalled CPAP devices and ventilators in the fourth quarter.  The company recalled certain devices, including the first-generation DreamStation CPAP devices, in June to address potential health risks related to the polyester-based polyurethane sound abatement foam component in these devices.  “When we announced the recall, we acted on the assumption of a worst-case...

YARMOUTH, Maine – Outdated, redundant and confusing is the common refrain from HME Newspoll respondents who overwhelmingly support CMS’s decision to eliminate the CMN requirement for home oxygen therapy.  “The CMN is an outdated tool that simply seems to supply Medicare with another means to deny claims on technicalities,” wrote Josh Turner, billing manager at McAbee Medical in Decatur, Ala. “Everything on the CMN is in the medical record, so there is no reason...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Provider Woody O’Neal did his homework when it came to opening CPAP Plus – a division of O’Neal Medical that focuses on sleep therapy and portable oxygen concentrators – which has helped to put the new company in a good position, despite the Philips recall.  CPAP Plus is located in an area of Birmingham where one-third of O’Neal Medical’s existing customers reside, a local hospital has announced expansion plans and seven sleep centers...

WASHINGTON – CMS has sent the DMEPOS proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget for final review, AAHomecare reports.  A letter asking CMS to act on the rule, published a year ago, garnered 95 signatures from members of the House of Representatives, including champions on the influential Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees.  “Capitol Hill is starting to understand the market realities and new operational environment that suppliers and manufacturers...

ATLANTA – The Belluscura X-PLO2R portable oxygen concentrator won the Providers’ Choice Gold at Medtrade East in Atlanta on Oct. 20. The POC, which is approved by the FAA for travel, weighs only 3.75 pounds and features an attached eight-cell battery that lasts up to five hours. The Dignity Lifts – Deluxe Toilet Lift – DL1 won the Providers’ Choice Silver Award. The lift helps users get up from and down to the toilet. The Breas Medical Vivo 45 LS, a life support ventilator...

WASHINGTON – The majority of Medicare beneficiaries (84%) received telehealth services only from providers with whom they had an established relationship, the Office of Inspector General has found. Those enrolled in traditional Medicare were more likely to receive services from providers with whom they had an established relationship compared to beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage, it found. “This pattern persisted among virtually all of the most common telehealth services,” the...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is partnering with the Minority Pharmacist Entrepreneur Conference to launch Pathways to Pharmacy Ownership, a new initiative that encourages and supports independent pharmacy ownership among minority pharmacists. Pathways is a year-long, application-based program where selected pharmacists will gain: access to pharmacy owner-mentors, help with business plan review from industry experts, scholarships to NCPA’s Pharmacy Ownership...

It was good to be back at Medtrade’s home base, the Georgia World Congress Center, and exciting (and a tad overwhelming at times) to connect in person. In deference to the Delta variant, fist bumps abounded. Masks, not so much, despite a requirement to wear them on the show floor and at sessions. I guess we’re all just doing our best The more things stay the same, the more they change In speaking with people on the floor, there was a mix of “old school” providers,...

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. – Option Care Health has released preliminary financial results for the third quarter ending Sept. 30, including net revenue of about $888 million to $893 million, representing 14% growth compared to the same period last year. The company expects net income of about $33 million to $36 million. Option Care also expects to report adjusted EBITDA of about $76 million to $79 million, representing 28% to 34% growth; cash flow from operations of about $50 million to $52 million;...