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In brief: Study links non-adherence to readmissions, CMS updates code list for Cures provision

In brief: Study links non-adherence to readmissions, CMS updates code list for Cures provision

DARIEN, Ill. - Non-adherence to CPAP therapy is significantly associated with increased 30-day hospital readmissions, according to a study of patients with obstructive sleep apnea published in a recent issue of Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Non-adherent patients were three times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days for any cause, the study shows.
"Until now no one has investigated the role of CPAP non-adherence in 30-day readmissions as an independent risk factor in all types of admissions," said principal investigator Dr. Behrouz Jafari, director of the sleep program at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System in Long Beach, California, and assistant professor of medicine in the section of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of California, Irvine. "This study carries important implications as it suggests that CPAP therapy may be an important, modifiable target for reducing hospital readmissions.”
The leading cardiovascular causes for readmission in these patients were atrial fibrillation, myocardial ischemia and congestive heart failure, all of which are linked to untreated sleep apnea, the study says.
The study involved 345 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who were hospitalized at a VA medical center from Jan. 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2015. Ninety-five percent of participants were men, and 72% were white. The 183 adherent patients had an average age of 66 years, and the 162 non-adherent patients had an average age of 62 years. Mean sleep apnea severity was severe in both groups.
Objective CPAP data were analyzed according to the Medicare definition of CPAP adherence, which is CPAP use for four or more hours per night on 70% of nights during a consecutive minimum period of 30 days. Results were adjusted for potential confounders such as age, sex, body mass index, living situation, race, comorbidities, and medication adherence.
Jafari noted that 30-day readmissions are touted as the key quality indicator for hospitals and a way to reduce healthcare costs.
"Improving CPAP adherence may have a cost-saving effect at local, state-based and national levels," he said.
CMS updates code list for Cures provision
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has received an updated list of HCPCS codes that are affected by a provision in the 21st Century Cures Act that requires the federal government to limit its portion of Medicaid reimbursement to Medicare reimbursement. The association says 244 codes are now subject to the provision, with 13 codes removed and five codes added based on their Medicare spend in the 2017 calendar year. The five codes added are commode chair electric (E0170), enclosed pediatric crib hospital grade (E0300), therapeutic CGM receiver/monitor (K0554), POV Group 2 heavy duty for 301-450 pounds (K0807) and POV Group 2 very heavy duty for 451-600 pounds (K0808)
Walgreens eyes AmerisourceBergen
DEERFIELD, Ill. - Walgreens Boots Alliance is said to be in early talks to take over Valley Forge, Pa.-based AmerisourceBergen, according to news reports, though “no deal is imminent and there may not be one,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Walgreens already owns a 26% stake in the drug wholesale company. “For Walgreens, buying Amerisource would be an example of so-called vertical integration, in which a company acquires a link in its supply chain, enabling it to keep more of the margin in the products it sells,” the WSJ reported. In the same vein, CVS Health and Aetna announced plans to merge late last year. AmerisourceBergen was most recently in the news when it announced in November that it would purchase H.D. Smith for $815 million in cash.
Invacare promotes Leneghan to CFO
ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare has appointed Kathleen Leneghan as senior vice president and CFO, replacing Rob Gudbranson, who resigned in November. “I look forward to partnering with Matt and progressing our transformation,” she said. “We have a significant opportunity to demonstrate sustained clinical value and generate profitable growth, and, in turn, create long-term shareholder value.” Leneghan had been serving as interim CFO since November. Prior to her promotion, she was vice president and corporate controller since 2003. Leneghan has been with Invacare for 27 years, serving in various financial roles in both North America and Europe. In other news, Invacare has declared a cash dividend of $.0125 per share on its common shares and $.011364 per share on its Class B common shares payable April 18, 2018, to shareholders of record on April 4, 2018.
Tandem Diabetes Care looks north   
SAN DIEGO - Tandem Diabetes Care, a manufacturer of touchscreen insulin pumps, has submitted a medical device license application to Health Canada to market its t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Dexcom G5 Mobile continuous glucose monitoring integration. The company plans to launch the pump in Canada in the second half of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals. “This application is another important step toward achieving our strategic goal of bringing the benefits of the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump to people outside of the United States," said Kim Blickenstaff, president and CEO of Tandem Diabetes Care. The company anticipates that the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump offered in Canada will be capable of displaying both English and French, will offer a 24-hour clock, and will display glucose readings in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Insulet: 'We are well on our way'
BILLERICA, Mass. - Insulet Corp. reported revenue of $130.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of 26% compared to the same period in 2016. U.S. revenue from the Omnipod was $76.5 million, an increase of 21%. Full-year revenue was $463.8 million and U.S. revenue from the Omnipod was $271.6 million. Among Insulet's highlights for 2017: It received Medicare coverage under the prescription drug benefit for the Omnipod, paving the way to capturing an additional one-third of the U.S. market; it submitted Omnipod DASH, a mobile platform, for clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and it broke ground on a new U.S. manufacturing facility. "Insulet had a very successful 2017 and our strong momentum this year gives us confidence for further improved performance in 2018," said Patrick Sullivan, chairman and CEO, in a release. “We are on a strong, sustainable growth trajectory and are well on our way to achieving our 2021 target of $1 billion in revenue.”
Viemed obtains $5 million line of credit
LAFAYETTE, La. - Viemed Healthcare has secured a two-year loan for $5 million from Whitney Bank, it announced Feb. 22. The loan provides Viemed, a provider of post-acute respiratory services, with “liquidity and flexibility, giving us quick access to non-dilutive capital should we need to bridge any working capital requirements during a period of significant growth for our company,” said Casey Hoyt, CEO, in a release. Viemed was split off from Patient Home Monitoring in late 2017.
Binson's expands retail presence
CENTER LINE, Mich. - Binson's Medical Equipment and Supplies has opened a new location in Ann Arbor, Mich. The 8-000 square-foot facility has dedicated retail space and will also serve as a distribution center to expand its delivery area to include Washtenaw, Livingston, Lewanne and Jackson counties. The facility will also allow Binson's to establish better services for the University of Michigan Medical Center. “Binson's looks forward to establishing a strong long-term relationship with the hospital and their patients,” said Nick Binson, vice president of retail operations. The family-owned company has opened six stores in the last five years as it ramps up its retail business. In late 2016, it acquired two H-Care stores in Flint and Saginaw.
Supreme Medical launches catalog
MOBILE, Ala. - Supreme Medical has launched a new Homecare & Post-Acute Catalog featuring more than 40,000 items from more than 700 manufacturers, it announced Feb. 21. The distributor of medical supplies and DME will use the catalog to build its homecare division servicing HME/DME providers, independent pharmacies, home health agencies and hospice providers, it said in a press release. “Homecare customers today want a one-stop shop experience,” said Colton Mason, senior vice president. “Launching this new catalog helps to showcase all we have to offer and lets homecare providers know that we can fulfill orders for the same breadth of products as the big guys, with the value added difference of not competing with their HME/DME.” Providers can request a free copy of the new catalog at https://www.suprememedical.com/request-catalog.
Convaid to support fun run
TORRANCE, Calif. - Convaid | R82 will support the 5K Oso Fit Run for Fun and Community Health Fair, sponsored by the Children's Cerebral Palsy Movement, on March 3 in Mission Viejo, Calif. The event brings children living with CP together to participate in special track events, with shorter courses for participants who use braces, crutches, walkers or wheelchairs. Convaid | R82 running buddies will be on hand to assist. “In the case of CCPM, we recognize advancement has been made in different therapies that lead to better outcomes for children living with cerebral palsy,” said Ryan Williams, president, Etac NA. “Sometimes getting on a horse, being exposed to music and dance, can spark marked improvement in quality of life.”
Industry attorney Caesar dies
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Neil Caesar, an HME industry attorney and speaker, passed away Feb. 11. The president of the Health Law Center was 60. Caesar died from complications from a lengthy illness. He was a 20-year lung cancer survivor. A long-time and well-known presence at Medtrade events, Caesar was known in the industry for his healthcare experience, but he was also the president of South Carolina's American Civil Liberties Union affiliate; an active Life Member of Mensa, the high-IQ society; and a hobbyist in the magical arts, according to an article in the Greenville News with the headline “Prominent Greenville healthcare attorney Neil Caesar dies at 60.”  Caesar is survived by his wife, Dr. Courtney Kyle Caesar, who he met through Mensa, and his son, Baer. A visitation has been scheduled for Feb. 24 at the Mackey Mortuary in Greenville from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Lab Tactical launches online academy
ATLANTA - Lab Tactical Consulting has launched LabTac Academy, a collection of online courses for HME leaders. The courses draw on the Lab Tactical team's experiences in the field with providers. The first bundle of courses offered through the academy is called HME Business Basics and comprises “Excel for HME,” “Net Revenue in HME,” and “Baseline Metrics in HME.” “This series of three courses will share no-nonsense insight into managing the revenue metrics of an HME business,” Lab Tactical says. The bundle also includes downloadable tools, including a NetRev calculator and a Baseline Metrics Worksheet.
People news: Rory Cooper
Rory Cooper, PhD, has been inducted as a fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Cooper, a University of Pittsburgh professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences associate dean for inclusion and Human Engineering Research Laboratories founding director, was elected a fellow “for distinguished contributions to the field of bioengineering and health and rehabilitation sciences, particularly for applications for people with disabilities.” AAAS is an international nonprofit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility and supporting scientific education and outreach. It is also the publisher of the well-known scientific journal Science.

 

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