In brief: Sign-on letter for oxygen, BOC’s Certificant of the Year 

WASHINGTON – Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., are collecting signatures for a sign-on letter asking CMS to accept the standard written order as the only necessary documentation to establish medical necessity for audits of home oxygen, sleep and non-invasive ventilation claims submitted during the public health emergency, according to AAHomecare. 

The letter asks CMS to protect patient access by instructing contractors to use CMS’s widely accepted oxygen clinical data element templates, along with the SWO, instead of medical record notes to determine medical necessity. 

“Approximately 1 million beneficiaries began supplemental oxygen and respiratory therapies during the PHE and will continue to require these services,” the letter states. “The reauthorization process would overload the already stressed health care system, requiring patients who utilize these services to repeat their therapy qualification process. This would especially place an undue burden on rural patients.” 

AAHomecare encourages stakeholders to send a message to their members in the House of Representatives, asking them to sign the letter. It has made available a pre-drafted note in its Voter Voice advocacy system. 

The letter closes on July 27. 

Sewell was behind a sign-on letter in August asking CMS to streamline documentation for home oxygen therapy.  

NCART shares Awareness Week ideas 

WASHINGTON – NCART has updated its website with different ways that stakeholders can participate in its upcoming National CRT Awareness Week on Aug. 14-18. Among the ideas: 

• Download pre-made graphics available on the NCART website and share them on your social media pages. 

• Make a short video about complex rehab and send it to drenehan@ncart.us or post it to your own social media (Check out this sample: https://vimeo.com/845967059?share=copy). 

• "Like" and "Share" NCART social media posts during the week (Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter). 

• Register for the Sept. 13 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-In.  

• Write a blog post describing your CRT and how it maximizes your independence or the independence of someone you know. 

• Post a photo of CRT to your social media. 

• Visit www.protectmymobility.com and learn more about advocacy work for complex rehab. 

NCART has designated each day for a specific stakeholder: manufacturers on Aug. 14, consumers on Aug. 15, clinicians on Aug. 16, providers on Aug. 17 and advocacy day on Aug. 18.  

BOC names Noel Neil with top award 

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has named Noel Neil, JM, CDME, as its 2023 Certificant of the Year, the first time it has given the award to a certified DME specialist. The award honors a BOC-certified professional for outstanding contributions to their profession, including commitments to service, research and outreach. “We’ve had the pleasure of working with Neil over the years in a variety of capacities,” said BOC COO Matthew Gruskin, MBA, BOCO, BOCPD, CDME. “Most recently, he assisted with the CDME job task analysis, which is part of the BOC exam development process. We appreciate his insight and expertise to ensure future DME Specialists are competent in the most current standards outlined by CMS. He is a fountain of knowledge in constant pursuit of education – knowledge that he shares with DMEPOS providers across the United States.” Those eligible for the award include BOC-certified DME specialists, mastectomy fitters, orthotic fitters, Orthotists, pedorthists and prosthetists. Neil serves as vice president of auditing and corporate compliance at ACU-Serve, where he is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the company’s corporate compliance program. He also offers audit defense and policy-specific education and guidance to the company’s existing clients, representing multiple suppliers in all types of Medicare audits and appeals, from the initial request to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and, in some cases, the Department of Appeals Board (DAB). 

CRT Fly-in registration opens 

WASHINGTON – NCART and NRRTS have opened registration for their 2023 Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-in scheduled for Sept. 13. “Congress plays a critical role in protecting access to CRT,” the two organizations say. “Educating them about the importance of appropriate CRT access is a message that needs to be delivered directly by CRT users, clinicians, caregivers, family members, suppliers, manufacturers and others.” There is no cost to register and participate. Once registered, NCART and NRRTS will match attendees with a team of advocates from their state and schedule congressional meetings for them. The organizations will also provide talking points and other information for meetings during a mandatory prep webinar on Sept. 6. Additionally, NCART and NRRTS will hold practice sessions on Sept. 11 so attendees can feel fully prepared and ready to make the most of their meetings on Sept. 13. Click here to register. 

RestorixHealth names Dr. Tettelbach as CMO 

METAIRIE, La. – RestorixHealth has named William Tettelbach, MD, as its chief medical officer. He comes to the company from HCA Healthcare, where he served as executive medical director, Wound & Hyperbaric Medicine Services, Mountain Division. “Dr. Tettelbach complements our company’s mission well,” states Todd Newton, CEO of RestorixHealth. “With his extensive medical experience in wound care and hyperbaric medicine and his energy and passion for systems that deliver wound healing excellence, he will bring tremendous value to the patients of RestorixHealth as we broaden our presence across the care continuum.” Tettelbach is a certified wound specialist who is actively board certified in undersea and hyperbaric medicine, infectious diseases and internal medicine, with formal training in biomedical informatics. He brings nearly 30 years of medical experience to RestorixHealth and has held a number of executive leadership roles, including principle medical officer, medical affairs and CMO for Wound & Surgical Recovery at MiMedx Group, and CMO for OnSite Advanced Care. 

Medtrade launches new speaker format 

DALLAS – Show organizers have put out a redesigned call for speakers for Medtrade 2024, which is scheduled for March 26-28 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas. In collaboration with the Educational Advisory Board (EAB), show organizers are asking prospective speakers to review and select from a list of desired topics and descriptions. “The strength of Medtrade has always been in the quality of our education and we hope you will be a part of that this year,” said Kerry Tyler, associate show director. “We are planning the best Medtrade ever and we look forward to seeing you in Dallas.” Topics range from innovation to leadership to operations. Show organizers are asking potential speakers to complete forms by Aug. 28. 

TBO debuts new website 

MINDEN, Nev. - Tactical Back Office (TBO) has launched a new website at https://tacticalbackoffice.com/ that features FAQs, customer testimonials from companies like Enos Home Medical and Merced Medical Supply, and more. TBO, a remote staffing agency that specializes in recruiting, screening, hiring and training personnel for the HME and health care industries, says the new website is a milestone that underscores its commitment to “providing a personalized approach to matching the right people with the right positions, while reducing turnover by 30% to 45%.” As part of its “Zero Risk Staffing” solution, TBO conducts face-to-face interviews with candidates from an extensive pool of talented professionals cultivated and trained over the years. The company says these recommended candidates are educated and experienced in health care, speak English fluently and work flexible hours. 

GAMES emphasizes payers at annual meeting 

ATLANTA – The Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (GAMES) has announced that Don Bolia of Peachtree Government Services, the association’s lobbyist, along with state representatives, will present at its upcoming annual meeting and exhibit, on efforts to make positive changes for the HME industry in the state. “GAMES has put in great effort in building relationships with CMOs and Medicaid in 2023, with CMOs, including Peach State Health Plans, set to exhibit and meet with providers,” said Lauryn Estrella, executive director of GAMES. Other speakers include Steve Cala of Strategic Office Support, Miriam Lieber, Alan Morris of VGM & Associates, Mike Scarsella of Compass Health Brands, Andrea Stark of MiraVista, Wayne van Halem of The van Halem Group and Laura Williard of AAHomecare. In addition to education and an exhibit, GAMES has also planned an off-site networking event at THE ROOF at Ponce City Market. The event, scheduled for Aug. 13-15 at the Georgian Terrace, is open to GAMES members and non-members. FMI: https://gameshme.org/event-5276782.