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    • Sabrina Stewart-Mosley: Make drivers more efficient

      Even in today's GPS-powered world, you can still walk into the offices of many HME providers and find drivers sitting down with paper maps and a pencil, plotting out the day's stops. As a product manager for UPS Logistics Technologies, Sabrina Stewart-Mosley spends her days encouraging providers to consider new technologies that can make routing more efficient, helping to reduce costs and increase driver productivity.

      She'll bring that message to Medtrade Spring with a session titled "How to Increase Routing Efficiencies," which will not only review new Web-based tools for routing and tracking, but also outline best practices for route optimization. Stewart-Mosley offered HME News this preview.

      HME News: On a scale of 1-10, how are providers doing when it comes to routing efficiently?

      Sabrina Stewart-Mosley: Providers who are still routing manually are probably at a three or a four. About 70% are still doing it this way. Smaller independent providers often feel they're too small to need a routing application. But it's very hard to incorporate manually everything software can provide, such as rush hour traffic models and accurate time window estimates. When we do a route test with new customers, 99% of the time we come up with a route that saves them miles and driving costs over their manual system. The average provider sees payback on the investment in one to two months.

      HME: How would you describe best practices that the HME industry can apply for maximum routing efficiency?

      Stewart-Mosley: I recommend a three-pronged approach: plan, collect and analyze. Create a routing plan based on real-world information. Collect on-the-road data-such as recording the length of each stop-and then analyze that data to make your route plan more accurate and real-world intuitive. Even if you don't have the ability to invest in a software application, following these steps will improve your routing efficiency.

      HME: Is GPS an essential tool for providers or just a handy extra?

      Stewart-Mosley: Using GPS with route optimization software increases its effectiveness. The provider can track real-time information about the driver's status and reroute them if traffic or other delays arise.

      HME: What are some of the benefits of these technologies for providers?

      Stewart-Mosley: Lowering fuel costs is the biggest one. But it also improves your customer service. You can give your customer more accurate ETAs, and you can better accommodate emergency requests. You'll also see greater driver productivity, less overtime and less wear-and-tear on vehicles with reduced driving time.

      HME: If you could offer providers just one piece of advice, what would it be?

      Stewart-Mosley: No matter how large or small your operation, taking steps to bring down costs through greater routing efficiency will be an advantage to your business. HME

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      HME News Info Center
      SOURCE BOOKS
      2010 Technology Special Report
      2009 Complex Rehab Report
      Market takes a pounding p.3... Be upfront p.5...
      HME 2008 State of the Industry
      HME Sleep special report
      CALENDAR

      September 2010
      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

      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.

      AAHomecare teleconference. 2-3:30 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880

      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

      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

      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

      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

      AAHomecare teleconference. 2-3:30 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880

      AAHomecare teleconference. 2:30-4 p.m. ET. FMI: 703-535-1880.

      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


      October 2010
      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.

      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

      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


      November 2010
      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

      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.

      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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