Archive: 2002

The HME industry has known that, evenually, CMS was going to have the authority to start adjusting fee schedule prices at its (or its DMERC contractors') discretion. Today, only Congress can make adjustments to the fee schedule. Starting Feb. 11, the DMERCs will have that right. It's been a long time coming. Congress first delegated the authority to HCFA (now CMS) more than 15 years ago, and subsequently refined that authority in BBA ‘97 and BBRA ‘99. The DMERCs have tried to implement some...

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - A new CPAP technology that provides pressure relief during exhalation is being touted by some as the most significant basic “box” breakthrough in years, if not ever. Developed by Respironics and now equipped on every REMStar Pro CPAP machine, the new C-Flex technology tracks a patient's breathing and, during exhalation, lowers the amount of pressure delivered. The ramp-down is not as precipitous as a bi-level drop, but the perception of relief, even from a layman's...

WASHINGTON - Despite provider requests for a delay, a new Medicare coding matrix for ostomy supplies appeared headed for a Jan. 1 implementation in early December. Although the status of the coding changes had been “changing every day,” United Ostomy Association spokeswoman Linda Aukett says that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seemed to be resolute in launching the new HCPCS codes by the first of the year. “We've had two meetings with CMS, but there was very little...

SALEM, Ore. - The Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) in Oregon, which oversees the Medicaid program, slashed fee-for-service reimbursement rates for DMEPOS on Oct. 1 from 100% of the 1999 Medicare maximum to 80% of the 2002 Medicare maximum. All this to save $300,000 in the state's general funds as part of efforts to ease a budget shortfall, it says. According to the Pacific Association for Medical Equipment Services (PAMES), which represents HME and DME providers in Oregon and Washington,...

Rehab petition push continues FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Rehab Technology Initiative (RTI) tried to breathe new life into its grassroots signature campaign last month by sending out a second mailing to 1,300 rehab providers. The campaign, which aims to limit Medicare reimbursement for rehab equipment to providers who employ professionals with certifications, was launched at Medtrade more than one year ago, but its petition has yielded 2,500 signatures - or 97,500 signatures short of its goal. The...

Ed Wissing joins PSA as board chairman NORCROSS, Ga. - Former American HomePatient CEO Edward K. Wissing has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of Pediatric Services of America, Inc. Current Chairman, CEO and President Joseph D. Sansone decided that his dual role as chairman and CEO should be separated, given the current challenges facing public companies. He proposed appointing Wissing chairman of the board, and the board voted unanimously in agreement. Sansone will remain as a member...

CHICAGO - Accredo Health is forgoing traditional infusion therapies in favor of more profitable specialty services. Coram Healthcare is in its third year of bankruptcy. Chartwell Home Therapies' parent company, Med Diversified, recently entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On the face of it, the home infusion industry looks as if it's lodged in a financial morass. But that's not really the case, say two veteran market watchers. “What we're seeing has nothing to do with the infusion therapy market,”...

WASHINGTON - A sketchy proposal by CMS to modify the CMN process by licensing the DMERC's right to require “supporting documentation…to make appropriate claims determinations” is worrying HME industry insiders who fear that the proposed change could create even more confusion. Published Nov. 18 in the Federal Register, the proposed revision to the CMN would require suppliers and physicians to “supply additional routine supporting documentation” on an as-needed basis. CMS...

AHP rolls out e-CMN initiative big time BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - American HomePatient's V.P. of Reimbursement Doug Gouy expects his company's giant leap into e-CMNs to pay big dividends. AHP announced in November that it had installed Trac Medical's e-CMN system, CareCert, in all 280-plus branches, making it an early, if not the earliest, adopter of e-CMN technology. As of mid-December, the company had convinced 150 physicians to use the system and was adding 10-15 new enrollees a day. AHP aims to...

ELKHART, Ind. - Alick's Home Medical is responding to the fragile economy with bricks and mortar - specifically, a new $2 million, 33,000-square-foot headquarters. At the 18-month mark in the two-year construction project, President Nafe Alick remains upbeat about the expansion into neighboring South Bend, despite the specter of national competitive bidding for some Medicare HME items. “We grew up in Elkhart and we continue to serve the community,” he said. “And while that market...