Tag: FAA

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Philips Respironics announced July 21 that its SimplyGo Mini portable oxygen concentrator conforms to all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements for carriage and in-flight use onboard aircraft. SimplyGo Mini is now a new option for HME providers to offer active respiratory patients, following the legacy of its predecessor, the SimplyGo. “With its lightweight design and reliable therapy delivery system, SimplyGo Mini empowers patients who struggle with respiratory...

FREDERICK, Md. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has drafted new guidelines for diagnosing sleep apnea among pilots, according to news reports. Under the new guidelines, announced April 1, pilots will not be disqualified from flying based on body mass index alone. The change came about after opposition from pilots, lawmakers and physicians forced the FAA to put on hold its plans to start testing pilots for sleep apnea in January. The House of Representatives passed a bill in February that...

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives on Feb. 11 passed a bill that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to go through a rulemaking process before implementing a new sleep apnea policy. The bill, introduced by Reps. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., and Rick Larsen, D-Wash., will likely slow down the FAA's plans to require pilots with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater to undergo testing for sleep apnea. There's a nearly identical bill in the Senate.

WASHINGTON - The number of beneficiaries receiving PAP devices for a one-year time period grew 13%, while the total number of beneficiaries receiving all DMEPOS items during the same period fell 1%, according to a recently released comparative billing report. Compiled by eGlobal Tech and Palmetto GBA, the report used data from claims processed by the DME MACs between July 2012 and June 2013. They also found allowed charges on PAP devices rose 23%, when allowed charges for all DMEPOS items fell by...

WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given its stamp of approval for three more portable oxygen concentrators to be used on planes. Newly authorized are SeQual Technologies' eQuinox Moxel 4000, Oxywell Model 4000 and VBOX Trooper, according to a Feb. 5 release from the FAA. Patients may now bring 23 models of oxygen concentrators on airplanes. Despite the stamp of approval, the Department of Transportation “strongly encourages airlines to voluntarily allow the inflight...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A problem with ordering/referring physician data in the DME MAC claim system is affecting processing, as well as the data available in the myCGS web portal and the Jurisdiction C IVR, according to a bulletin from CGS. CMS and DME MAC system maintenance contractors are researching the issue. CGS says it will provide more information when it becomes available. CMS on Jan. 6 started denying claims with the names of physicians who are not enrolled in PECOS.Medicare overpays for...

FREDERICK, Md. - Faced with stiff opposition from some pilot groups, lawmakers and physicians, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put on hold plans to test all overweight pilots for sleep apnea, according to news reports. The FAA had planned to start testing pilots with body mass indices of 40 or greater in January. The FAA has now agreed to consult with industry groups to balance the concerns of all stakeholders, according to news reports. When the FAA announced its plans, legislation...

WASHINGTON - Industry watchers expect CMS to select a contractor early next year to administer a new fingerprinting provision aimed at curbing fraud and abuse. An RFP seeking a contactor to handle the process has a submission deadline of Dec. 23 and an award date of late February, according to AAHomecare. The provision mandates that “high-risk” providers submit fingerprints for a background check through the FBI's database. Those who will be subjected to the rule include newly enrolling...

WASHINGTON -The Federal Aviation Administration is skipping the rulemaking process and moving ahead with plans to test all overweight pilots for sleep apnea, news reports say. Because the plan enhances, not changes, existing policy, the agency says the rulemaking process is unnecessary. The screening policy will go into effect after the agency has completed its formal guidelines, probably in January, reports say. Pilots with body mass indices of 40 or greater must be screened for sleep apnea and...

WASHINGTON - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials say they will start screening obese pilots and air traffic controllers for obstructive sleep apnea, ABC News reports. Pilots and air traffic controllers with body mass indices (BMIs) of at least 40 or neck measurements of at least 17 inches will be screened. Eventually, pilots and air traffic controllers with BMIs of 30 or greater will be screened, according to the story. After investigating an incident in which an airplane overshot an...