In brief: HME companies thrive, Medtrade makes moves

In brief: HME companies thrive, Medtrade makes moves

More than a dozen HME providers and manufacturers were named to Inc. Magazine's list of 5,000 fastest growing private companies last week. A sample of the companies featured: Extrakare in Norcross, Ga., at 1,564; Cape Medical Supply in Sandwich, Mass., at 4,179; Comfort Medical Supply in Ormond Beach, Fla., at 461; and Neighborhood Diabetes in Woburn, Mass., at 1,139. "Despite the difficult economic environment and the unique challenges faced by durable medical equipment suppliers, our team has exceeded the goals established in the company' business plan annually since the company was founded," stated Scott Lloyd, co-founder and president of Extrakare in a release." In the face of significant reimbursement reductions, Extrakare generated strong internal growth in patient census and total revenue in 2009." To view the list, go to http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2010/index.html.



Congress: Keep retail pharmacies out of it

WASHINGTON - Community pharmacy champions in Congress urged CMS last week to keep competitive bid pricing for Part B mail order diabetes testing supplies separate from those supplies offered by retail pharmacies. In an Aug. 24 letter to Administrator Donald Berwick, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; Zack Space, D-Ohio; Lee Terry, R-Neb; and Peter Welch, D-Vt., said that independent community pharmacies could incur significant financial losses if bid pricing were applied in retail settings.



AAHomecare in action

ARLINGTON, Va. - AAHomecare last week submitted 15 pages of comments to CMS on the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, which included provisions related to oxygen, power wheelchairs, diabetic supplies and competitive bidding. The comments and a summary of the HME-related provisions can be found in the "what's new section" at www.aahomecare.org. In other news, the association last week received clarification from the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) on whether providers need to re-submit their 855-S forms when they renew their surety bonds. They do not, as long as their bonds are current.



Medtrade's new moves: Accessible home, competitive bidding track

ATLANTA - Nielsen Expositions will premier the "NexGen Medtrade Accessible Home: A Health Living Lifestyle Environment" at Medtrade Nov. 15-18. The 1,650-square-foot home, which will be built right on the show floor, will feature an array of HME products that demonstrate how homeowners can remain independent as they age or face chronic illness or disability. Tours will be available throughout the show. Nielsen has also added an education track on competitive bidding to the show's conference schedule. The track will include 11 sessions like "Now That You Have Signed the Contract, What Are Your Rights and Obligations" and "Buying and Selling a Supplier That Has Been Awarded a Contract."



CMS: When providers go bankrupt, we may pay for new equipment

BALTIMORE - CMS may make payment for replacement oxygen equipment in the event that a supplier files for Chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, it announced in a bulletin last week. Read the complete bulletin at https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?pdf=/provider/updates/docs/MM6838.pdf.