In brief: AAH falls into debt; ResMed breaks 'record'

ARLINGTON, Va. - AAHomecare racked up $200,000 in legal fees fighting national competitive bidding, and last week the association issued a plea for help in paying off that debt. In a release, AAHomecare stated: "To retire the $200,000 debt, companies are asked to contribute to the 'Defeat Competitive Bidding Fund.'" Every company or organization that makes a contribution of $500 or more will appear, if it so chooses, on the AAHomecare List of Donors for the "Defeat Competitive Bidding Fund," which will be publicized throughout 2008 and 2009. ResMed reports 'record' revenues SAN DIEGO - ResMed last week reported revenues of $235.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, a 23% increase over the same quarter last year. Net income for the quarter was $29.6 million. The manufacturer posted "record" revenues despite a $3.1 million charge related to a voluntary recall in April of an older generation of its S8 flow generators. For the quarter, sales growth in the Americas was 12%; growth elsewhere was 32%. For the year ended June 30, 2008, ResMed reported revenues of $835.4 million, a 17% increase over 2007. Net income for the year was $110.3 million. In a statement, CEO Kieran Gallahue indicated the industry "is poised for continued growth" in 2009, thanks to changes to home sleep testing regulations, a delay in national competitive bidding and a new report linking sleep apnea and diabetes. Oxygen cap: Industry seeks answers WASHINGTON - AAHomecare continues to pressure CMS on how it plans to pay for service and maintenance once the 36-month cap kicks in Jan. 1, 2009. AAHomecare last week sent CMS at least a dozen questions about the cap. In addition to service and maintenance, the association asked CMS about contracts for emergency care; reimbursement for traveling patients; billing for backup equipment; and documentation requirements. It also asked CMS for details on how it will allow providers to retain ownership of their oxygen equipment, per the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. Roho offers online CEU program BELLEVILLE, Ill. - The Roho Group launched an online education program last week. The Roho Institute for Continuing Education and Research eLearning program offers continuing education units (CEUs). Previously, the institute offered only on-site CEU programs. "We now can offer a wider range of courses and immediate services for our clients," stated Darren Hammond, director of the institute, in a release. "Clients will no longer have to wait for a program to come to their area; they can complete their continuing education requirements on their time, even in their pajamas if they like." Cardinal considers shake-up DUBLIN, Ohio - Cardinal Health is toying with spinning off its clinical and medical products businesses from its struggling pharmaceutical distribution business, it announced last week. The clinical and medical products businesses could operate as a separate, publicly traded company. It will make a decision in 60 to 90 days. Cardinal last week reported $91 billion in revenues for fiscal year 2008, a 5% increase over last year. It noted the medical supply chain posted double-digit growth in the second half of the year. Covidien boosts pulse ox offering MANSFIELD, Mass. - Covidien last week bought patient monitoring technology from Portland, Ore.-based CardioDigital. Covidien believes CardiDigital's signal processing technology will add new capabilities to its Nellcor pulse oximetry platform.