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In brief: Roscoe and Carex rebrand, ResMed makes donation

In brief: Roscoe and Carex rebrand, ResMed makes donation

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio, and NORWELL, Mass. - Roscoe Medical and Carex Health Brands announced last week the new name and brand identity of their parent holding company: Compass Health Brands. The new brand includes a new corporate logo, website (www.compasshealthbrands.com) and message platform. “Compass Health was chosen to reflect the company's deep industry knowledge, understanding of today's health care and efforts to navigate its new direction for better patient outcomes and bottom-line growth,” a press release states. Roscoe Medical and Carex Health announced their merger in March. Under Compass Health Brands, Roscoe Medical and Carex Health plan to expand through the acquisition of subsidiaries that complement their portfolios, according to the release. Roscoe also recently acquired Revolution Mobility.

ResMed makes 'unprecedented' donation

SAN DIEGO - ResMed has donated more than 10,000 CPAP devices to the American Sleep Apnea Association's CPAP assistance program (CAP), the association announced June 30. “A donation of this magnitude is unprecedented,” stated Tracy Nasca, executive director of the ASAA in a press release. CAP provides a package containing a CPAP device, tubing, filters and mask to patients who otherwise would not be able to afford them. CAP, which was launched in 2010, relies on the public and commercial sleep industry to help with equipment donations. “Supply has always been our challenge, but thanks to ResMed, we will now be in a position to increase the reach of our program,” Nasca said. ASAA encourages others to provide product or funding for the tubing and masks, etc., needed to complete the packages.

A/R Allegiance integrates with Universal Software Solutions

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A/R Allegiance has integrated its payment portal with Universal Software Solutions' Healthcare Data Management System (HDMS), the company announced June 30. The integration means the cash posting of any credit card payments made through the payment portal will now be automatically entered into HDMS without human interaction.  Another benefit: reoccurring charge generation. “This will significantly reduce the operational expense involved with collecting outstanding patient balances,” stated Christopher Dobiesz, president of Universal Software Solutions, in a press release. “Reducing steps in any process results in cost savings.” A/R Allegiance is also in the process of adding functionality to allow users to log in directly to the payment portal dashboard from the HDMS menu, making it easier to manage open private pay A/R in one location.

Inova combines stationary, portable therapy

AUSTIN, Texas - Inova Labs has received FDA clearance for Activox Duo2, a fully integrated stationary and portable oxygen concentrator (POC) system. Activox Duo2 combines the benefits of a home-use stationary concentrator with the portability of Inova's LifeChoice Activox POC. Activox Duo2 offers up to 5 LPM continuous flow oxygen for patients at home and up to 3 LPMeg Pulse-Wave oxygen delivery for active patients out of the home using the POC. “Activox Duo2 was designed to provide patients and providers with a non-delivery solution that can positively impact both quality of life and quality of service,” stated CEO John Rush in a release. “This system removes the hassle and burden of tanks and replaces it with true freedom and mobility.”

BOC to update pedorthist exam

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) and its testing vendor recently convened subject matter experts to collaborate on a BOC Pedorthist Job Task Analysis, according to a release. The group will send a survey in July to as many as 5,000 pedorthists and other healthcare professionals to help update the exam's content outline. “It was a very productive meeting, and I am pleased with the results of our collective efforts,” said Wendy Miller, BOC's chief credentialing officer. “We sequenced the pedorthist task list from prescription to final fitting and evaluated each task to ensure our pedorthist certification candidates continue to be assessed on appropriate competencies.” Job task analyses are typically conducted every five to seven years, according to the release.

Invacare lives brand promise through games

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare sponsored the National Veterans Golden Age Games held June 28 to July 2 in Fayetteville, Ark., the manufacturer announced today. “Invacare is excited to once again be a part of the National Veterans Golden Age Games,” said Brian LaDuke, vice president, marketing and respiratory. “To see these veterans engaging in friendly competition and being active is really living the Invacare brand promise.” Veterans compete in sports such as swimming, cycling, horseshoes, bowling, field events and air rifles. Invacare has also sponsored teams in the Paralympic games and donated power wheelchairs to Youth Challenge's Paralympic Power Soccer program.

Hasco Medical exits HME

ADDISON, Texas, and OCALA, Fla. - Hasco Medical has sold its Certified Medical business so that it can focus on its mobility vehicle business, it announced last week. "The divestiture represents our complete departure from the durable medical equipment business and makes HASCO the only public company operating in the retail market for handicap-accessible vehicles," said Hal Compton, Hasco CEO, in a release. Hasco offers handicap accessible vans, parts and services through 19 locations.

Review finds 70% error rate for VEDs

INDIANAPOLIS - In a first quarter 2014 widespread payment review of vacuum erection devices (VEDs), National Government Services examined 67 claims and denied 47, for an error rate of 70%, according to a release. The most common reasons for denial were: documentation that did not support diagnosis of impotence or erectile dysfunction; no medical records submitted; no documentation to support diagnosis of impotence or erectile dysfunction to allow coverage for the device; the proof of delivery record did not include the delivery service package identification number, supplier invoice number or alternative method to link supplier and delivery service records; or documentation did not show information justifying medical necessity. The Jurisdiction B DME MAC reminded suppliers that failure to respond to requests for additional documentation violates supplier standards.

Medtrade sessions prep providers

ATLANTA - Medtrade will offer a new “niche market” track at this year's show. The six educational sessions address home modifications, ventilation services, support surfaces and therapeutic shoes. “Providers who dabble will likely not succeed, but those willing to put in the proper training and capital investment can establish a profitable business,” show organizers state in a press release. Medtrade takes place Oct. 20-23 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Short takes

The North Carolina Association of Medical Equipment Services (NCAMES) has recognized Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., with its “Champion of the Industry” award. Ellmers is expected to introduce a bill to reform the audit program. The award was resented during the association's summer meeting June 25-27…Pediatric Home Service (PHS) was named a Top 100 Minnesota Workplace for the fourth year in a row. The Star Tribune also honored PHS with a Meaningfulness Award based on employee reporting…Brightreehas joined the CommonWell Health Alliance as the first dedicated post-acute vendor. The alliance, a not-for-profit trade association of health IT companies, says Brightree's participation will open new opportunities for in-home health IT access for patients and their clinicians…RESNA plans to hold its 2015 annual conference at The Sheraton Denver Downtown. The submission deadline is Oct. 19 for workshops and instructional courses; Jan. 13 for scientific and student scientific papers; April 3 for student design competition registration; and April 17 for student design competition submission.

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