In brief: AHP remains confident, Scooter Store makes the grade

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - In a Jan. 14 statement announcing American HomePatients seventh forbearance agreement with its creditors, President and CEO Joseph Furlong said hes confident a resolution will be reached that will allow the company to continue providing the care that our patients expect. As part of the agreement, NexBank and other creditors cant act on American HomePatients failure to pay $226 million in debt prior to Feb. 16, 2010. Originally, the debt was due Aug. 1, 2009. Despite his confidence, Furlong also stated: Discussions are ongoing and as a result we cannot provide any assurances as to the specifics of any resolution.



Save the date: CMS schedules competitive bidding meeting

BALTIMORE - CMS will hold its next meeting with the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC) on Feb. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CMS expects to begin the registration process in the next few weeks. In a bulletin to members last week, AAHomecare encouraged providers to attend. There may be an opportunity for questions or comments from the audience, the association stated. The meeting will take place at CMSs offices at 7500 Security Boulevard in Baltimore. For more information on the PAOC, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/.



The Scooter Store climbs Fortune list

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - Fortune Magazine has named The Scooter Store one of the 100 best companies to work for in America. The magazine ranked The Scooter Store 38th, above companies like Microsoft and FedEx. Fortune cited the companys employee-friendly celebrations, including quarterly themed rallies. It was also impressed that 40% of the companys employee-owners are salespeople who earn commissions based on their performances. Its not The Scooter Stores first time on the list: It placed 58th in 2004.



MED adds CPAP replenishment

LUBBOCK, Texas - The MED Group has partnered with PPM Fulfillment to offer MED members a cost-effective outsource solution for CPAP and other therapy supplies, the member service organization announced last week. MED believes that the PPM warehousing solution will save members money, while maintaining the high standards of care and service their patients have come to expect. "If you look at the costs associated with traditional delivery, HMEs incur from $50 to $80 plus additional warehousing costs just to deliver simple replenishment supplies. This can become cost-prohibitive in today's market," stated Kelly Riley, Director of MEDs National Respiratory Network.  



Liberator Medical continues record trend

STUART, Fla. - Mail order provider Liberator Medical reported revenues of $9.1 million for the quarter end Dec. 31, 2009, an increase of 19% over the previous quarter, the company stated Jan. 20. It is the seventh straight quarter the provider has enjoyed record revenues, said President/CEO Mark Libratore in a statement. Earlier this month, the company began moving into a new facility that will nearly double its space. Liberator Medical provides diabetes, urological, ostomy and mastectomy supplies, as well as personal mobility aids.



Industry continues to collect for Haiti

ATLANTA and SOUTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Health products manufacturer Graham-Field has partnered with relief organization BluSource to donate more than $200,000 in wheelchairs, ambulatory aids, and medical supplies for Haiti. In Florida, the Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America and the Florida Alliance of Home Care Services are working with several medical missions and nonprofits to collect and distribute HME. Donations of ambulatory aids, commodes and working beds, CPAP and respiratory equipment are being accepted at City Medical Services in North Miami Beach. Call 305-493-3744 to make arrangements. The associations also hope to set up collection points in Palm Beach County and South Miami Dade.



Pride revs up provider locator

EXETER, Pa. - Pride Mobility Products has enhanced its Provider Locator feature on www.pridemobility.com. The locator allows consumers to find Pride and Quantum providers in their area by entering their address or zip code. New features include an up-to-date listing of provider locations; product icons that clearly denote the product lines that each provider carries; Google integration; enhanced search speed and performance; easy navigation between results on multiple pages; detailed printable directions; provider certification listing (JACHO, NRRTS, etc.); and which providers have rental products available.



AOPA, Cailor Fleming join forces

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and Cailor Fleming Insurance have partnered to offer a range of custom designed insurance products for the O&P industry. AOPA had previously partnered with AON Affinity, an agreement that ended Dec. 31. The new partnership was effective Jan. 1.



Campania acquired

WORCHESTER, Mass. - The Hanover Insurance Group reported last week that it has agreed to buy Vienna, Va.-based Campania Group, which specializes in insurance for healthcare providers, including durable medical equipment suppliers, behavioral health specialists, eldercare providers, and podiatrists.