Tag: Kathryn Vaughn
Patient access: Reach out, speak up
August 9, 2023Kathryn Vaughn
Q. When is it time to challenge the status quo?
A. We cringe when we hear the phrase, “We’ve always done it that way.” Leaders know that change is constant and reliance on outdated methods can prove fatal to a business. However, when it comes to advocacy, many ask “What’s the use, it’ll never change?” It is easy to understand how people come to feel this way, as our industry is often overlooked and undervalued. However, the reality is that...
Patient Access: Identify gaps in access
July 10, 2023Kathryn Vaughn
Q. How can HME providers impact patient access?
A. In this post-pandemic world, patient access to home medical equipment continues to be threatened by increasing costs. Significant inflation (7.2% in 2022), shipping and supply chain costs, coupled with stagnant reimbursement, may pose challenges for providers to supply the high quality HME preferred by patients and prescribed by clinicians. Providers may assume an active role in improving patient access by actively reviewing payer contracts...
Patient Access: Know value of support programs
June 7, 2023Kathryn Vaughn
Q. How are consumer support programs beneficial to users and HMEs?
A. Manufacturer consumer support programs are free and often brand agnostic for individuals, health care professionals and HMEs. Trained advisers encourage compliance to practice guidelines for managing chronic health conditions. Resources include condition specific education, advice on lifestyle modification, product troubleshooting and tools to be successful. Typically, programs also provide product samples and help connect...
Patient Access: Consider taking active role
May 9, 2023Kathryn Vaughn
Q. What is market access and what is the value to me?
A. Pharma and biotech have long recognized the value of investing in market access to enable consumer access to therapies. As of recent, HME manufacturers have begun to invest in internal teams to address coverage and reimbursement restrictions with an overall goal of improving access for end-users. The work may take the form of advocacy on the federal level with CMS or with individual state Medicaid programs to improve coverage or reimbursement...