Tag: NHIA
Pharmacy organizations criticize Tricare decision
December 7, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A group of pharmacy organizations, including the National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Home Infusion Association, worry that decisions by Cigna and Express Scripts to eliminate the option for Tricare beneficiaries to obtain prescriptions at their pharmacy of choice will disrupt patient access to needed medications.
In a letter to Amy Bricker, president of Express Scripts, and David Cordani, president and CEO of Cigna, the organizations argued...
In brief: Reimbursement relief, home infusion access, additional consolidation
November 4, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – VGM Government Relations is urging providers to reach out to Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, asking for the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2022 to be included in an end-of-year package.
Introduced in February, H.R. 6641 would extend a 90/10 blended reimbursement rate for the 13 product categories excluded from Round 2021 of competitive bidding through Dec. 31, 2023. The bill currently has 25 co-sponsors.
“HME suppliers...
In brief: Oxygen NCD, Philips MDRs, Geffert’s new role
May 27, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has changed the implementation date of the new oxygen national coverage determination from Jun 14, 2022, to Jan. 3, 2023.
“This change only extends the implementation date to Jan. 1, 2023,” AAHomecare stated in a bulletin. “The new oxygen NCD coverage expansion will still be retroactively effective to claims with a date of service on or after Sept. 27, 2021.”
The new oxygen NCD, among other things, expands access for acute conditions...
NHIA honors Masood’s advocacy
February 9, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Association has announced that Sohail Masood, PharmD, is the recipient of the 2022 Gene Graves Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, which is the highest honor that NHIA bestows on a member of the home and alternate site infusion profession, is given to an individual who has dedicated significant time, energy and resources to advocating on behalf of patients and the industry. “I am humbled and honored that NHIA selected me for the most prestigious...
In brief: Hangover clinics, SMRC audits, PHE extension
January 21, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Association and several allied organizations have asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state regulatory agencies to investigate unregulated, direct access infusion businesses that provide individuals with intravenous solutions absent the recommendation of a licensed prescriber.
These businesses, they say, treat hangovers, exercise recovery and elevation sickness, which can usually be resolved with oral medications or through...
In brief: Philips update, Essity expansion, Kubat recognition
December 30, 2021HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM – Philips Respironics has determined that exposure to the level of VOCs identified to date for the first-generation DreamStation devices is not typically anticipated to result in long-term health consequences for patients.
The announcement comes after an assessment by an outside medical panel and Philips and is intended to give healthcare providers the most recent data. Overall guidance for physicians and patients in the recall notification remains unchanged.
At...
Eitan Medical joins NHIA council
December 1, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Eitan Medical, a global manufacturer of drug delivery and infusion solutions for hospital, ambulatory and home care settings, has joined the National Home Infusion Association’s Future of Infusion Advisory Council. “The needs of the infusion industry have evolved, requiring infusion providers to adapt and elevate their solutions with connected, patient-centric technologies that allow for the easy administration and management of infusions in alternate sites, especially...
In brief: Heartland wraps up, Medtrade East masks up
September 17, 2021HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM welcomed nearly 1,000 guests for its 20th annual Heartland Conference last week.
The conference, which is usually held in June, was moved to September to help ensure health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers took precautions like moving all social events outdoors and requiring masks indoors.
“As leaders in the health care industry, we wanted to do everything we could, taking all proper precautions, to help keep everyone safe during...
NHIA submits comments on home health rule
September 1, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The National Home Infusion Association has submitted comments to a final rule saying it is disappointed that CMS has not revisited the Medicare Part B home infusion benefit.
The CY 2022 Home Health Rule outlines proposed coverage and policy changes for home infusion and other post-acute services.
The NHIA’s key concern with the current benefit: the requirement that a nurse or other health care professional be present in the patient’s home for...
In brief: Griggs takes reins, accessories need protection, Humana makes buy
June 18, 2021HME News Staff
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Luke McGee has resigned from his positions as co-CEO and director of the board of AdaptHealth, and Stephen Griggs has been named CEO effective immediately.
Griggs, who is also a member of the board, joined AdaptHealth in February as co-CEO following the company’s acquisition of AeroCare Holdings, which he founded and led as president and CEO.
“Steve’s extensive management experience, along with health sector expertise and a proven...