Specialty Providers

YARMOUTH, Maine - The demand for medical gloves has surged as much as 200% since the start of the public health emergency, creating shortages across the health care system and driving up costs for HME providers, say stakeholders.   “The need for gloves and personal protective equipment has greatly increased, so there’s just not enough supply to keep up,” said Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for AAHomecare, which recently convened a Glove Workgroup to address...

YARMOUTH, Maine – Philips’ announcement last week that it will begin repairing and replacing CPAP devices affected by a recall was welcome news to providers, but they still have more questions than answers.  The company announced Sept. 1 that it had received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin replacing the sound abatement foam with new material in certain sleep and respiratory care devices starting this month.  “The question I have...

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...

DARIEN, Ill. – A proposed web-based app called “MySleepVillage” took second place in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s first ever Change Agents, a contest designed to generate creative ideas for diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea.  The app aims to streamline patient communication and testing; connect to physicians, insurers and medical equipment companies; and provide options for remote monitoring of CPAP usage. The team behind it estimates that...

WASHINGTON – A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to improve access to home infusion therapy for Medicare beneficiaries.  Introduced by Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Vern Buchannan, R-Fla., H.R. 5067, the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act provides technical clarifications that would remove the physical presence requirement, ensuring payment regardless of whether a health care professional is present in...

WASHINGTON – Stakeholders are taking another swing at fixing the home infusion benefit, with new legislation introduced and, overall, increased awareness among lawmakers of the value of providing care in the home.  The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, introduced Aug. 5 by Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Tim Scott, R-S.C., provides technical clarifications to remove the requirement that a nurse or other health care professional be present in the patient’s home...

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Advanced Diabetes Supply increases its visibility in the eastern U.S. and gains a large platform on which to grow with its recent acquisition of US Medical Supply (US MED).  “Both companies have a good brand, and they really complement each other,” said Tim Cady, president of ADS. “Our immediate plan, short term, is to keep both brands out there.”  ADS’s focus on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors – a shift forced...

WASHINGTON – Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, along with Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and Tom Reed, R-NY., Co-Chairs of the Senate and Congressional Diabetes Caucuses, sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough urging the VA to stop requiring veterans to use the medically unnecessary four finger stick tests prior to initiating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) therapy.  In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted...

WASHINGTON – A customized approach is needed to ensure the needs of individuals with ostomy are successfully managed, according to a new white paper published by a group of stakeholders to educate payers and state Medicaid programs.  The white paper, developed by AAHomecare, United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc., United Spinal Association, Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, and Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board, addresses the variables going into...

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. – Option Care Health is moving to open 10 to 15 new standalone infusion suites by year-end, a key part of its growth strategy, CEO John Rademacher said during an Aug. 3 earnings call.  During the second quarter of 2021, 20% of the company’s nursing visits took place in one of its more than 120 suites – 400 chairs – across the country.  “Our expectations as we move forward is, we can be pushing that post (by) opening more centers and...