Tag: Coronavirus

Being the recipient of Google Alerts for “oxygen concentrator” is a scary and sad place to be right now.  I have these alerts set up for a number of key terms in the HME industry – think “sleep therapy” and “home infusion” and “AdaptHealth” and “Invacare.” They’re delivered to my email inbox every afternoon.  Recent alerts for “oxygen concentrator” have been almost exclusively related to...

YARMOUTH, Maine – More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, HME providers, like many businesses, have adapted to new ways of doing business and many of those changes will become permanent, say respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.  Nearly three-quarters of respondents say they plan to make certain changes permanent, including offering drop-shipping or curbside pick-up of equipment.  “In the past, we would do curbside if a customer asked,”...

CHICAGO – Medicare spending for physician services dropped as much as 57% below expected pre-pandemic levels in April of 2020, according to a new report from the American Medical Association.  During the first half of 2020, the cumulative estimated reduction in Medicare physician spending associated with the pandemic was $9.4 billion, the report says.   “The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant financial stress on medical practices...

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – 3B Medical announced on Dec. 3 that it has received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for health care workers to use its Lumin to sanitize and reuse N95 respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company designed the Lumin to use ultraviolet light to sanitize CPAP accessories, but it’s a multi-use sanitizer. “Being able to reuse an N95 mask quickly and effortlessly is a game changer...

YARMOUTH, Maine - HME providers have begun taking proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of employees, patients and their communities in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Cape Medical Supply based in Sandwich, Mass., is limiting person-to-person activity, opting instead to ship products to patients. It is also encouraging patients to use its web-based technologies, including a web portal and mobile app, for ordering, communications and information. “We are standing by ready...

The ATHOMES Spring Conference, scheduled for March 19-20, has been postponed in the wake of a deadly tornado that struck Nashville, and middle and east Tennessee on March 3. A new date has not been set. Those needing a refund can email [email protected] Otherwise, your payment can be held until the new date is announced. The NEMEP Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 1-2 in Tarrytown, N.Y., has been postponed as precaution against COVID-19. A new date and location has not been set. Members needing...