Apacheta has master plan

From June 2015 to June 2016, Springfield, Pa.-based Apacheta, a mobile workflow application that's integrated with Brightree, experienced a 120% increase in customers, primarily HME providers.

“This is one of the big areas left where efficiencies still haven't been achieved,” said Gregg Timmons, president and CEO of Apacheta and formerly president and CEO of MedAct Software, which sold to Brightree in 2013.

Here's what Timmons had to say about why it's time for mobile workflow applications to shine in the HME industry and post-acute care as a whole.

HME News: Historically, what has been the obstacle to HME providers using mobile workflow applications?

Gregg Timmons: It used to be that you had to have $2,000 ruggedized handhelds. When you have 10 or 15 drivers, you can see where that was a problem for providers. That's a lot of upfront cash.

HME: So what's changed?

Timmons: The barrier to entry has been significantly reduced, and a lot of providers still don't realize that. We've taken our delivery app and put it on Android and iOS, so you can use commonly available off-the-shelf phones and tablets. And we're not selling on-site software; we're selling a cloud-based subscription. 

HME: It sounds like you've made good progress converting providers to this technology, but I imagine there's still a lot of room for growth?

Timmons: Ninety-five percent of HME providers are still delivering using paper. 

HME: Why should cash-strapped providers prioritize mobile workflow applications?

Timmons: Easy: cash savings and cash availability. In the old way of doing things, delivery techs print delivery tickets, manually sorting them into routes and make their deliveries. After the deliveries are made for the day, the delivery techs return the documents to office. If an HME has 10 delivery techs that make 10 deliveries each per day, that's 100 deliveries per day along with 100 sets of delivery documents. Each delivery document can average 5 pages, so 500 pieces of paper generated per day. The new way eliminates the paper, as delivery tickets are electronically stored on the handheld. Routing and scheduling is handled electronically, as well.

HME: There is still some expense involved—what's the ROI?

Timmons: Our customers tell us that for every $1 they spend on this technology, they generate $4 in savings. It's hard to argue with that.

HME: Apacheta has some large customers in the consumer goods industry like Dr Pepper Snapple Group. What does it see in HME and post-acute care as a whole? 

Timmons: We think this app is also appropriate for pharmacy, infusion, and home health. In the post-acute care segment, we see 30% overlap. We can bring technology to bear to synchronize activities across the continuum, allowing providers to be more efficient while delivering better patient care. We really get excited about that.