NEWSWIRE
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Bills update: Industry keeps truckin' |
By Liz Beaulieu Managing Editor - 03.05.2007
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WASHINGTON - The HME industry expects Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., to re-introduce the Hobson-Tanner bill this week, possibly with two new provisions that would further soften the blow of national competitive bidding. Rumor has it the bill may include an any-willing-provider provision, allowing any provider to supply HME if he agrees to do so at the competitive bidding price. Previous versions of the bill made that exemption only for small businesses. The bill may also include a provision requiring CMS to study competitive bidding's affect on access and providers. "(Rep. Tanner) continues to recognize the concern that competitive bidding creates in the beneficiary and provider communities," said Walt Gorski, vice president of government affairs for AAHomecare. CMS plans to kick off competitive bidding this year. The industry has continued to make progress with another bill, the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act. H.R. 621, introduced Jan. 22 by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., aims to repeal the 36-month cap on Medicare oxygen reimbursement. The bill has 40 co-sponsors. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., plans to introduce a companion bill in the Senate in mid-March, Gorski said. During Congress' February recess, industry stakeholders met with legislators to lobby for both bills. Tom Bradley, president of Petersen Medical in Orem, Utah, and president of the newly formed Utah Medical Equipment Dealers (UTMED), hosted Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, who agreed to co-sponsor H.R. 621 and review the Hobson-Tanner bill when it's introduced. "We took him on a tour, and he asked great questions," Bradley said. "I was excited that he was even asking questions, let alone good ones. You could tell he was overwhelmed, in terms of what goes into the oxygen business. It seems much simpler than it is." Additionally, representatives from the New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED) met with Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Pride Mobility and MedStar Surgical in College Point, N.Y., met with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. The group spoke with Rangel about the Hobson-Tanner and oxygen bills and raised $30,000 for the senator, said Wayne Grau, director of rehab industry affairs for Pride Mobility. "(Rangel) understands our issues and wants to help," he said. The big push for meetings will be from April 1-13, Congress' district work period, Grau said.
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HME News Info Center |
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CALENDAR
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| 2-2 Can You Really Do That? Debunking Medicare Myths | September 2, 2010 @ 2:00pm EST
This webinar will set out to distinguish the difference between Medicare myths and reality. Participants will learn what is really acceptable under Medicare guidelines and will have the opportunity to get their own Medicare myths debunked.
Cost is $99. Register at: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
| | 9-9 Pre-Payment Review & RAC Audits: Steps to Prepare for and Survive These Eve | 2:30-4:00 p.m. ET
Don’t miss the “Pre-Payment Reviews and RAC Audits: Steps to Prepare for and Survive These Life-Altering Events” teleconference on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 2:30- 4:00 p.m. ET, with Jeffrey Baird, Esq., Brown & Fortunato.
To participate in the September 9 teleconference, complete the form and return the member registration fee of $129/non-member registration fee $189, per phone line by Wednesday, September 8, to Ashley Wyatt, AAHomecare, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 725, Arlington, VA 22202, 703-535-1880 or fax to 703-836-6730. You will receive instructions on connecting to the call as well as any handouts or additional information by e-mail. Please submit questions in advance to ashleyw@aahomecare.org no later than September 8. No refunds after September 8.
| | 10-10 "Sales Skills for 'Competitive' Times" | AAHomecare teleconference. 2-3:30 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880
| | 11-11 CAMPS Exemptee Training | San Diego, Calif.
Anyone applying for an exemptee license through the Department of Health Services and is responsible for overseeing prescription devices should be sure to attend this seminar. After this training program, attendees will be knowledgeable of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards that apply to the storage and handling of drugs; practical ways of complying in storage, handling and distributing dangerous devices; understand medical terminology as it relates to prescriptions, appropriate abbreviations, dosages and format. To register:
http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:EX-SD
| | 12-14 2010 HME News Business Summit | Data and Market Intelligence You Can’t Get Anywhere Else!
The tools and strategies you need to drive revenue and cut costs are at the 2010 HME News Business Summit. We deliver real-life case studies, original research and industry benchmarks. Join your peers for two days of top-notch education and networking.
Nashville Hilton Downtown
Nashville, Tenn.
To review the educational program: http://www.hmesummit.com/speakers.html
To register: https://www.b2bmediaportal.com/hmesummit/hmesummit.aspx
| | 13-17 Blue Ridge Symposium | Four conferences in one week. Choose your specialty or area of interest: Sleep Conference; Asthma Education;Home Care Conference; Respiratory Care Conference
Earn at least six CRCE/CEUs everyday
Location: Blue Ridge Shadows, Front Royal, Va.
Visit us on the Web at: www.valleyhealthlink.com/brs
Contact us at: brs@valleyhealthlink.com
or Call (540) 536-8941
| | 16-16 CAMPS Reception Dinner | 5-6 reception, 6-8 dinner, Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport, 18800 Macarthur Blvd, Irvine
CAMPS invites you to attend a special mixer for an update on the state's budget issues impacting the Medi-Cal program and program changes that impact DME and medical supplies. Special guest speaker: Norma Torres, assembly member. To registeR:
http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:RECPDNR2
| | 17-17 "Essential Acronyms for Office Efficiency: CSR, AR and DSO" | AAHomecare teleconference. 2-3:30 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880
| | 24-24 “Successful Ingredients: The Recipe for AR Management” | AAHomecare teleconference. 2:30-4 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880.
| | 27-27 Optimizing Front-End Operations Using Lean Techniques | 1:00 PM EST. $79 includes tools, handouts, and access to recorded version. Learn how to utilize effective and proven lean techniques that can help to reduce errors, reduce costly rework, reduce waste, and improve financial performance in HME front-end operations. It all starts in intake/customer service. Learn how successful providers leverage lean principles to improve workflow, increase efficiency, and improve process consistency. This informative live webiner will provide you with best practice examples of how HME providers have successfully implemented lean techniques to help decrease rejected claims and improve sluggish cashflow.
To register: http://www.leanhomecare.com/sept27.html
| | 30-30 Respiratory Updates Vital to Your Business: Oxygen, CPAP and RAD | 2010 has been a year of change for oxygen, CPAP and RAD suppliers. Join Andrea Stark for this informative webinar and ensure your respiratory business is operating in compliance with the Medicare program. 11am & 3pm EST. Cost: $99 per conference line. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
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| 4-4 Reduce Waste and Increase Effieciency: Applying Lean Thinking Techniques to | 1:00 PM EST. $79 includes tools, handouts, and access to recorded version. Learn how to reduce the hidden costs of inefficient processes - reduce waste, optimize workflow, and reduce errors and the rework they create. This webinar is geared towards the specific needs of the HME provider and is led by HME and Lean experts. Access to tools, forms, and templates will be provided so you can begin to apply what you have learned.
To register: http://www.leanhomecare.com/Introtolean.html
| | 6-7 JAMES 2010 Annual Conference | This year's theme: "Barriers to Boomers - How to Overcome and Prosper." The conference will be held at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch, N.J. FMI: www.jamesofnj.org.
| | 9-9 CAMPS Exemptee Training | San Francisco, Calif.
Anyone applying for an exemptee license through the Department of Health Services and is responsible for overseeing prescription devices should be sure to attend this seminar. After this training program, attendees will be knowledgeable of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards that apply to the storage and handling of drugs; practical ways of complying in storage, handling and distributing dangerous devices; understand medical terminology as it relates to prescriptions, appropriate abbreviations, dosages and format. To register:
http://member.campsone.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:EX-SF
| | 15-15 Competitive Bidding: Is it Really Winner Takes All? | With the recently released Round 1 bid amounts scheduled to be implemented in 2011 and the Round 2 bid window set to open next spring, Competitive Bidding is moving full speed with almost no signs of stopping. During this webinar, Andrea Stark will discuss what all DMEPOS suppliers need to know about the Competitive Bidding program, even if you don’t win a contract or plan to bid. 2pm EST. Cost: $99 per conference line. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
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| 4-4 Coverage and Documentation Requirements for the Rehab Provider: Keeping You | This webinar will help suppliers ensure they have a clear understanding of Medicare’s current coverage criteria for mobility assistive equipment. In addition to ensuring the patient meets coverage criteria, mobility suppliers will also learn which documents they must have on file in the event of an audit, and how to walk the fine line between “educating” and “leading” the physician. 3pm EST. Cost: $99 per conference line. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.miravistallc.com/recent_services.php
| | 16-18 Medtrade | Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Medtrade connects the HME industry. Stay ahead of HME industry changes and find the latest tools to help your clients. Join us at the largest home medical equipment even in the western US as we bring more exhibitors, more ideas, and more products than ever before.
Visit www.medtrade.com for more information and to register.
| | 25-25 DME Workshop: Make Your Accreditation Work for You | ACHC is pleased to announce a new DME workshop, "Make your Accreditation Work for You," on November 15, 2010. This half day workshop, which coincides with Medtrade in Atlanta, is designed to help providers prepare for ACHC Accreditation and is perfect for companies that are renewing accreditation or applying for the first time. In addition to covering ACHC Accreditation Standards, Tim Safley will guide providers through the accreditation process and also demonstrate how accreditation is more than just a requirement. Accreditation can save valuable time and money, give companies a competitive edge and show strengths and opportunities for improvement. Ample question and answer time will be provided during lunch. Experience the ACHC difference and discover all the ways ACHC is working to add value to accreditation.
Providers attending this workshop will also receive a free expo pass for Medtrade. Workshop registration information can be found at www.achc.org. For more information, please contact Stacey Hahn at (919) 785-1214 or at shahn@achc.org.
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