In brief: DME gets pay raise, bid winner offers help

BALTIMORE - CMS said last week that DMEPOS payments should be increased by 2.4% on Jan. 1, 2012, to reflect an annual update in payment rates. DMEPOS items on the fee schedule are subject to an annual update tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U), offset by a productivity adjustment. For 2012, the CPI-U is a 3.6% increase, but the productivity adjustment for next year reduces that by 1.2%. The increase won't apply to competitively bid items in Round 1 areas. Congress could also reduce or eliminate the payment update.

Stark takes show on road

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Billing expert Andrea Stark of MiraVista will host a series of live billing workshops this winter. The "2011-2012 Building DME Competence and Confidence" road tour seeks to help providers reduce dependence on outside consultants and make their billing departments more efficient. Scheduled dates so far: Dec. 1, Detroit; Jan. 20, Columbia, S.C; and Feb. 10, Kansas City, Mo. The event has several sponsors, including the MED Group. FMI.

Bid winner launches online system

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Provider Chris Rice has launched BidPrep, a web-based system that walks HME providers through the steps to prepare, bid, win and execute competitive bidding contracts. The system, which includes video tutorials, was developed using the experience of providers who won contracts in the original and re-bid Round 1. Rice is director of marketing for Riverside, Calif.-based Diamond Respiratory Care, which won contracts in every product category. FMI: www.bidprep.com.

New appeals contractor in place

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - C2C Solutions will take over the Qualified Independent Contractor (QI) contract--currently held by RiverTrust Solutions--effective Nov. 15. The QIC processes reconsideration requests for the DME MACs. If a re-determination letter is dated on or after Nov. 10, 2011, a request for reconsideration should be sent to C2C Solutions: Attn: DME QIC, P.O. Box 44014, Jacksonville, Fla., 32231-4103.

Organizers reflect on Medtrade

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Medtrade 2011, held Oct. 24--27, was attended by more than 9,300 HME providers, home health professionals and manufacturers, said Nielsen Expositions in a release last week. New product winners: Transcend received the Innovation Award for its Transcend Sleep Apnea Therapy Session; Convaid received the Merit Award for the Rodeo; and Briggs Healthcare received the Providers Choice for the Mabis NebPak Ultrasonic Nebulizer. Best booth awards went to Drive Medical and McKesson Medical Surgical. Medtrade Spring 2012, will take place April 10--12 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Medtrade 2012 will take place Oct. 15--18 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

K0823 review shows documentation issues

WASHINGTON - A prepay review of K0823 power wheelchairs by National Government Services, the Jurisdiction B DME MAC, denied 121 of 163 claims, for a 74% claim error rate. The most common issues leading to these denials included a lack of medical records or the records did not establish medical necessity; lack of sufficient evidence of a physician face-to-face mobility exam; or the seven-element order or detailed products description was invalid or incomplete.

Cape Medical: 'Family Business of the Year'

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Family Business Association honored Cape Medical Supply last week as the "MA Family Business of the Year." The award is special for Cape Medical, stated CEO Gary Sheehan in a release. "Though we are a family owned business we recognize our success is derived primarily from the non-family members who make up our team...this award is really recognition of their efforts and something they should all take great pride in," he stated. Mark and Nancy Sheehan founded Cape Medical Supply in 1977; today, three second-generation family members work there.