NEWSWIRE
|
|
HME industry attracts spotlight |
05.12.2008
|
|
WASHINGTON - The hearing on national competitive bidding held by Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., inspired a blitz of media attention last week. * On Wednesday, May 7, The Dallas Morning News published a story under the headline "Medicare bid process drawing flak." The story quotes Laurence Wilson of CMS, Evelyn Herndon of Ellis County Home Medical Equipment, John Skoro of XMED Oxygen and Medical Equipment, Ray Ferri of Metroplex Medical Services and Tyler Wilson of AAHomecare. * On Tuesday, May 6, The Wall Street Journal published a story under the headline "Lawmakers question Medicare bidding plan." The story starts off: "Members of Congress are expressing concern and scheduling hearings about a Medicare plan to use competitive bidding for products such as wheelchairs and walkers, in a sign that lobbying my medical-equipment companies is gaining traction." The story quotes Stark as saying he'd like national competitive bidding "scrapped." It also quotes AAHomecare's Wilson. * Also on Tuesday, May 6, Congress Daily published a story under the headline "CMS chief defends new competitive bidding program." The story says CMS has no plans to back off from competitive bidding, despite a groundswell of concern from members of Congress. The story quotes CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems as saying, "I think the industry's done good job of putting up a smoke screen on this." It also quotes Stark and Frederick Graefe, an Invacare lobbyist. * On Monday, May 5, Congressional Quarterly published a story under the headline "Critics of DME competitive bidding program gear up for Tuesday hearing." The story quotes Stark and Wayne Stanfield of the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES), and mentions concerns from the Quality Diabetes Care Coalition, AAHomecare and Invacare. It also quotes Weems as saying that complaints about flaws in the bidding process are unfounded. * During the weekend of May 2-4, Media General publications published stories in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida newspapers that quoted David Simmons of Majors Medical Supply, Wayne Sale of Health First, Bill Griffin of Griffin Home Health Care, Beth Bowen of NCAMES and VADMEC, and Michael Reinemer of AAHomecare. * On Friday, May 2, the Scranton Times-Tribune, published a story under the headline "Medical equipment sellers to lobby Congress." The story quotes John Shirvinsky of PAMS, Robert Brown of Andrew Brown's Home Care and CMS's Wilson.
|
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
HME News Info Center |
|
|
|
|
CALENDAR
|
|
| 1-3 AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference | The American Association for Homecare will host the Washington Legislative Conference, March 1-3, 2010, at the Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C.
It is impossible to have a strong impact on home medical equipment policy without more involvement on Capitol Hill. In 2010, the home medical equipment community faces continued challenges: competitive bidding, complex mobility policy, the oxygen cap, and other regulatory and legislative concerns.
So we are asking HME stakeholders to make their voice heard. AAHomecare will provide background materials for this key annual lobbying event for the HME sector. Speakers during the conference will include members of Congress and officials from CMS.
For more information, please visit www.aahomecare.org
| | 2-3 CAMPS Annual Convention | Attend the CAMPS Convention for only $125 (member pricing) and attend as many of the various sessions. The schedule is divided into tracks to help you determine the best sessions for your interest. This year's line-up includes sessions such as: Business Management, Operations / Reimbursement, Exemptee Training, Respiratory CE*, RESNA RT Prep Test. Earn 6 units of continuing education with the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). Do not hesitate, register by February 1, 2010 to take advantage of the $50 savings. Register here: http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:2010AM
| | 11-13 Medtrade Spring | May 11-13, Las Vegas at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. This annual event features educational sessions and an exhibit hall where manufacturers show off their latest wares. For more information, or to register: www.medtrade.com/medtrade-spring
| | 16-16 PAMS 2010 Annual Billing Seminar | Pennsylvania Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (PAMS) holds 2010 Annual Billing Seminar featuring Andrea Stark, a reimbursement specialist for MiraVista. Topics covered will include "Documentation Requirements for General DME"; "Utilizing ABNs: A Best Practices Guide"; and "Medicare's Latest Anti-Fraud Initiatives." Registration: $100 for PAMS members and $125 for non-members. Location: Four Points Sheraton in Harrisburg, Pa. FMI: www.pamsonline.org.
| | 18-18 DME Billing 102: AR Management Strategies | 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Join Andrea Stark for the second installation in a special three-part billing series, where you’ll learn how to:
Prescreen your claims for potential denials.
Utilize technology to submit claims electronically, reduce the burden on your AR department, and decrease your risk of getting denied.
dentify potential same or similar, medical necessity, or other eligibility issues (i.e. SNF stays).
Establish an AR Strategy and ensure that reporting tools effectively capture the vulnerabilities of claim processing to include analysis of claim rejections, days sales outstanding and denials.
This webinar will provide you with the tips and tools you need to be sure you are properly submitting claims to Medicare, the first time around.
| | 18-18 Florida Home Care Conference | AMEPA and FAHCS present the third annual Florida Home Care Conference. Scheduled to appear: Walt Gorski (Washington update), Jeff Baird (Legal), Mark Higley (Audits), Sean Schwinghammer (Tallahassee update), Sylvia Toscano (Billing) and Ty Bello (Referrals).
FMI: visit www.amepa.us or e-mail info@amepa.us
| |
| 14-16 2010 MAMES Spring Convention | MAMES is pleased to announce the opening of ONLINE registration for the 2010 MAMES Spring Convention & Exhibition being held April 14 - 16, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska. Online registration is available by clicking on the following link: http://www.mames.com/confreg_spring.cfm or by going to: www.mames.com and clicking on the "Education" icon on our homepage.
| | 19-21 Essentially Women Focus on the Future 2010 Tradeshow & Conference | Annual event features manufacturer exhibits, networking and educational sessions for womens health providers. Louisville, Ky.
FMI: call 800-988-4484, visit www.essentiallywomen.com or email melissa@essentiallywomen.com
| |
| 11-11 Make Your Accreditation Work for You | This free workshop from ACHC will be hosted by Tim Safley.
Trump International Hotel Las Vegas
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
To register, go to www.achc.org.
| | 20-21 PAMS 2010 Annual Convention | Pennsylvania Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (PAMS) holds 2010 Annual Convention. This year's theme is "Extreme Makeover: HME Edition." FMI: http://www.pamsonline.org/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
