In brief: Fastrack, Brightree expand

PLAINVIEW, NY - Fastrack Healthcare Systems has completed the first phase of its planned expansion by adding staff in its customer service, quality assurance and technical support departments, the company stated in a release last week. In 2010, the company's major focus will be to develop new ways to assist HME clients reduce operating costs, decrease their DSO and help with competitive bidding. Fastrack also will continue to enhance its internal computer system and products to better serve customers, stated President Spencer Kay.



Brightree moves into new digs

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - HME business software developer Brightree has moved to a bigger location to accommodate its "tremendous growth over the last several years," the company announced recently. The new 28,000-square-foot location almost doubles Brightree's old office space and provides adequate space to meet projected hiring for the next 36 to 48 months, the company stated. Effective Nov. 30, 2009, Brightree's new address is: 1735 North Brown Road, Suite 500, Lawrenceville, Ga., 30043. The company's phone and fax numbers remain the same. Brightree supports roughly 1,050 customers representing 20,000 users who file $4.7 billion in claims annually, the company stated.



MedForce, hmeDOC team up

FLORENCE, Ala. and CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. - MedForceTechnologies, a vendor of document scanning and workflow automation software, has integrated its products with hmeDOC's Web-based referral and documentation service. Working together, hmeDOC transfers physician-signed CMNs and other patient documentation to MedForce Scan or WorkFlow automation software, eliminating data entry duplication, manual scanning and placement, according to a press release.



Convaid launches robust new Web site

PALOS VERDES, Calif. - Convaid has launched a new Web site (www.convaid.com) with a broad array of information related to its line of pediatric strollers, pediatric wheelchairs and adult wheelchairs, the company announced earlier this month. In part, here's what's available: suggested HCPCS codes to facilitate reimbursement; order forms; MSRP retail price lists; and information on crash-testing and safety.



Fraud crackdown continues

DALLAS - A "provider" who has billed Medicare for more than $1 million in false claims pleaded guilty to federal charges of aggravated identity theft Dec. 7. Rafayel Movsesyan, who opened Beltline Medical Supplies in 2007, used the names and Medicare numbers of beneficiaries and physicians on claims for orthotic braces and supplies. The items were never prescribed and the physicians and patients were unknown to each other, said the Department of Justice in a release. Movsesyan faces two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.



Drive expands presence north of border

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. - Drive Medical Canada, a division of Drive Medical, has acquired Ontario-based Independent Needs Centre, a manufacturer and distributor of aids to daily living, bath safety and other home health care products, the company announced Dec. 1. The acquisition will allow Drive Medical to "enhance our growing presence in Canada," said Drive CEO Harvey Diamond in a release.