In brief: Medicare bennies speak out, DME MAC wants feedback

PHILADELPHIA - Twenty-one Medicare beneficiaries in Philadelphia have signed a letter detailing their fears of competitive bidding. The beneficiaries were educated about the program during a recent Town Hall Teleconference hosted by The VGM Group's Last Chance for Patient Choice (LCPC), People for Quality Care (PFQC) and the Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers (PAMS). The letter details three areas of concern: receiving timely service, preserving access to local providers, and protecting the choice of quality equipment. Read the letter here.

Stakeholders make progress on complex rehab documents

BETHESDA, Md. - The first draft of a specialized knowledge and skills paper for complex seating and wheeled mobility is complete, said Cindi Petito, an OT and ATP and one of the lead authors. The final document, which should be completed this fall, will outline the skills and knowledge needed to provide both non-complex and complex seating and mobility, and will be a resource to aspiring and new occupational therapists considering a mobility specialty. A second AOTA document, the Policy Fact Sheet on Complex Rehab Technology, is complete and awaiting AOTA approval, Petito said. The fact sheet is intended to educate the public, policymakers and stakeholders about complex rehab. Both documents are part of an effort to garner AOTA support for complex rehab as a specialty, which could lend weight to the complex rehab separate benefit initiative.

Make your voice heard to DME MAC

WASHINGTON - It's last call to provide feedback to National Government Services, the Jurisdiction B DME MAC. The contractor in a message last week reminded providers to take part in a survey that will be used to improve supplier education efforts. The survey is available until Tuesday, Feb. 28. To access the survey, click here.

Familiar face heads up new pharmacy venture

WASHINGTON - A new pharmacy network launched last week and it's headed by a familiar name: Bruce Roberts, former executive vice president and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association. The network, RxAlly, seeks to help pharmacists improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs through better medication management. The network has 20,000 members nationwide.

Short takes: Amigo Mobility, UroMed

In a move to take Amigo Mobility "to the next level," company officials have named Tim Drumhiller president. Previously, Al Thieme, who founded the company, was president. He will continue to lead the company as chairman of its board of directors...Mail-order provider UroMed has partnered with Dorland Health to publish a series of continuing education articles for clinicians. The "Urology Health" series features 12 articles, each worth up to two hours of CEUs, written by clinical experts.