Smart Talk

Q. How do I find a resupply program that encompasses all communication modalities?  A. As PAP resupply has rapidly changed and expanded over the last decade, options for contacting patients have also grown – from IVR, live call and email to texting to electronic ordering. Finding a program and solution that best fits your business’ needs is key.    Enhanced technology has enabled us to reach more patients, and more efficiently, to capture resupply orders. We live...

Q. How do I enhance user experience, trust and engagement on my health care website?  A. Health care websites face distinct challenges due to sensitive information and diverse user needs. Key points to include on your site: Accessibility and usability: Websites must be easy to navigate and accessible for users with different technical skills, physical abilities, and medical knowledge. Solutions include text resizing options, screen reader compatibility and clear language.  Privacy...

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...

Q. How will AI revolutionize HME billing in the next decade?     A. The home care industry is no stranger to the transformative power of technology. The last decade has brought about major improvements to HME workflow, from mobile delivery to automated calling campaigns, and technology has been a major force behind them. As suppliers continue to grapple with the complexities of HME billing and collections, artificial intelligence (AI) promises to bring a paradigm shift in the way billing...

Q. What’s next for health care advocacy?  A. As discussed throughout this series, health care providers – experts and those with direct access to patients – have the responsibility to push and endorse policies that promote equitable care and remove the current barriers that are still found throughout our health care system.   However, our organization recognizes that true change and legislative success for health care access does not occur in a vacuum. We are...

Q. I’d like to expand the reach of my HME business by offering medical equipment and supplies to patients on a mail-order basis – what regulations should I be aware of?   A. Expanding beyond the confines of walk-in retail customers and local delivery is a great way to increase HME offerings and business revenue. However, providers must be cognizant of the additional regulatory red tape that accompanies such growth.  For starters, state licensure requirements can vary greatly...

Q. I am preparing for an accreditation site visit. What areas should I focus on?  A. This question is asked often when organizations are preparing for surveys. Organizations need to be certain that all the required licenses are up to date and displayed as required. Licenses you may need include state, local city and county licenses. Also, don’t forget to have a current copy of anyone’s driver’s license who drives a company vehicle and to verify any professional licenses....

Q. What is the impact of advocacy in health care?  A. As a nation with the highest health care spend per capita, there’s no shortage of discussions regarding innovation and cost reduction. As health care providers, we’re uniquely positioned to see the impact on patient lives. Our position allows us to moderate proposed solutions and our voice has the power to impact change.  Whether insurance plans have developed innovative solutions to reduce costs immediately or have...

Q. How do I classify someone providing services for my business?   A. Business owners often inform me that their workers are paid as either independent contractors (1099) or employees (W2) based solely on their or the worker’s preference.   While a worker or business owner may, for example, prefer an independent contractor classification – and the corresponding ability to have write-offs and not incur payment of employer related taxes, respectively – whether an employer/employee...

Q. When is a home safety assessment required and what needs to be assessed?  A. The DMEPOS Quality Standards require home medical equipment providers to “have a program that promotes safe equipment and item use and minimizes staff and patient safety risks, infections and hazards.”   The supplier must also “ensure patients and caregivers can use all equipment and items safely and effectively in their anticipated settings.” Therefore, in most cases, the completion...