Archive: December 2002
Wellness delivers cash sales to N.D. provider
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
BISMARK, N.D. - Nine months ago, Great Plains Rehabilitation Services looked to wellness products to help boost cash sales and reduce its reliance on Medicare and other third-party payers. So far, Greg Lord likes what he sees, calling the 100% cash revenue stream “refreshing.”
As of mid-December, Great Plains Health Company, the 7,000-square-foot health food/wellness store, had generated $350,000 in cash sales. For 2003, the store's budgeted to do $900,000, and Lord's projecting 50%...
Briefs
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
MED Group names new director
LUBBOCK, Texas - The MED Group (MED) has hired Jacquelyn M. McClure as its new director of National Respiratory Network and Government Relations. She will manage MED's National Respiratory Network as well as assist in various legislative and regulatory areas. Prior to joining MED, she spent 11 years at Respironics with stints as manager of training/medical dducation, manager of reimbursement services and manager of government relations. McClure replaces Joe Lewarski,...
Clayback brings diversity to MED network v.p. role
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
Although he has a slightly different background than previous MED Group National Rehab Network directors, Don Clayback vows to continue, even build upon, the integrity of programs developed during the group's 34-year history.
Fitted with the newly created title of v.p. of networks, in addition to being the new rehab network director, Clayback figures to be part of a new era at MED, but he maintains that the intent is not to try and fix what isn't broken.
“We have a strong network in place...
Respironics flexes CPAP
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
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...
Study: Healthcare spending goes through the roof
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Healthcare spending in the United States increased 10% during 2001, the largest jump in more than 10 years, according to a recent study in the journal Health Affairs.
The study, conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change, analyzed financial data from hospitals, pharmacies and physicians, and determined that an increase in hospital spending - in large part caused by greater use of hospital services and rising prices - contributed most to the increase in total healthcare...
‘Tis the season
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
PORTLAND, Maine - Black Bear Medical took to the radio waves for the first time in December, trying to convince listeners that home medical equipment make great gifts for the holidays.
Co-owner Jim Greatorex said it did a three-week blast of radio ads on two local radio stations, including WYNZ 100.9, which is known as “the oldies station.” He said the company hoped to capitalize on the holiday shopping season.
“November and December are our two biggest months for retail, anyway,...
Briefs
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
Independent providers turn on the tube
TOPSHAM, Maine - Hoping to better compete against competitors, Majors Mobility bought more space in newspapers and more time on TV in 2002. Tyrrell Hunter, president of Majors Mobility, said the company spent 20% more on advertising last year. "I'm a firm believer that competition is healthy," Hunter said. "We've just had to work toward our strengths, minimize our weaknesses, up our advertising budget and go one-on-one with our competition." Hunter said that...
FACTORING: ‘Margin for error is small’
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
CHICAGO - The recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy of National Century Financial Enterprises and subsequent filings by several of its clients has spawned discussion in HME circles about whether the reward is worth the risk with a financial strategy called factoring.
In Dublin, Ohio-based NCFE's case, the consequences to providers look severe, with Andover, Mass.-based Med Diversified filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy along with its home health subsidiary, Tender Loving Care Health Services of Lake Success,...
Medicaid O&Ps on state chopping blocks
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
BOSTON - Red ink in many state budgets this year is causing a red alert for orthotics and prosthetics providers who serve Medicaid patients.
States across the country are facing budget deficits linked to the weak national economy and Medicaid coverage of O&P services is a prime target for cuts, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association reports. If state budgets drop O&P coverage, it's the beneficiaries who will feel the brunt of the sting, said Walter Gorski, director of government affairs...
Region D DMERC sneers at snail mail
December 31, 2002HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Region D DMERC has expanded its efforts to give providers more timely access to its quarterly DMERC Dialogue and Supplier Manual by providing it via e-mail.
In August, Cigna Medicare began beta testing the technology with roughly 2,000 providers. Cigna let other providers sign up for the e-mail program at Medtrade. Those in the beta test receive the DMERC Dialogue and Supplier Manual two to three weeks before subscribers to the printed publications.
That's a big advantage,...