Archive: August 2002
Internet
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio - While companies selling Internet solutions to HME companies have largely drowned since the Internet bubble burst two years ago, one of the "solutions" they tried to float as a solution Invacare is now launching.
In June, the manufacturer announced that it would offer a turn-key, Web site development package through a partnership it's struck with 50 Below, a development and marketing company in Duluth, Minn. For $1,860, 50 Below is building, customizing and maintaining transactional...
Policy
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
Comp. bidding can work, says Tom Scully
WASHINGTON — The House Ways and Means Committee last month released a letter from CMS Administrator Tom Scully expressing the administration's support for competitive bidding in procurement of durable medical equipment in the Medicare program.
Scully's letter was meant in part to clear any misunderstandings that he does not support that provision of the House's Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act. A Ways and Means background paper notes...
Reimbursement
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
Audit proofing paperwork
WITH BRUCE BROTHIS
Q. What should I do if I receive a request for 30 patient charts from Medicare?
A. CMS is undertaking larger and more in-depth audits than it has in the past and is using sub-contractors to conduct them. These audits, in the form of a rather benign letter, request all available documentation on an average of 30 patients to whom you have provided more commonly abused items such as power chairs, support surfaces and oxygen, to name a few. The result of these...
"We have to keep the pressure on. We need to keep pushing really hard." -- Asela Cuervo
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
WASHINGTON — HME leaders aren't taking anything for granted in the industry's fight to derail national competitive bidding. If anything, the battle has intensified, with providers across the country being encouraged to do their part in educating lawmakers as to how competitive bidding could impact the industry and beneficiaries.
"We have to keep the pressure on," said Asela Cuervo, AAHomecare's senior v.p. of government relations. "We need to keep pushing really hard."
During Congress's August...
COPD market will keep drug firms busy
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
SAN JOSE, Calif.— The growing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the high, unmet medical need for drugs that can stop or reverse the progression of the disease provide great opportunities for pharmaceutical companies.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, U.S. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapies Markets, reveals that this industry generated revenues totaling $1.89 billion in 2001. Total market revenues could reach $2.97 billion in 2008.
The growing acceptance...
Texas HMEs battle huge Medicaid cuts
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
AUSTIN — In trying to stave off a proposal for Medicaid competitive bidding, state providers have identified $6.7 million in savings that Texas could reap by eliminating waste and inappropriate use in its DME program. The question is: Are those savings enough, given the state wants to cut $18 million from its $92 million DME budget?
"In the final analysis, the industry is not going to be able to stop them from doing what they choose to do," said Ron Kieschnik of Houston-based Seating Profiles....
After 25 years, Janet Sahr calls it quits
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
BOSTON - After 25 years as arguably the First Lady of HME, Janet Sahr called it quits recently and retired, a year after selling her $20-plus million company Home Care Supply. Sahr started Medi-Rents with two partners in 1977.
During her career, she served on the Region A DMERC council and as president of the New England Medical Equipment Dealers Association (NEMED). She was the first and only chair of NAMES (now AAHomecare), which recently gave her a Lifetime Achievement award.
Sahr stayed on...
HHS lightens HIPAA's load
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
It just got easier to take this walk on the
HIPAA trial. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), now referred to by the foes of competitive bidding as The Destroyer of Homecare Health Services (DHHS written in dark, sinister letters), has made some modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
As mentioned in last month's article, the published rule requires healthcare providers to keep patients advised on how their health information, or protected health information (PHI), is being used....
Power wheelchairs
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
Permobil
C2K Corpus - Drive: front
- Size: 43 x 26 x 40 inches
- Weight capacity: 220-265 pounds
- Top speed: 5 mph
- Turning radius: 26 inches
- Range on full charge: 19-25 miles
- Special feature: independent suspension for each wheel
- Warranty: 2 years
C.T.M
HS-5600 - Drive: rear
- Size: 38.7 inches x 24 inches x 45.3 inches
- Weight capacity: 350 pounds
- Top speed: 5 mph
- Range on full charge: 25 miles
- Special feature: Swing-away, joystick controller
- Warranty: 36 months for frame; 12 months...
Power wheelchairs
August 31, 2002HME News Staff
Permobil
C2K Corpus - Drive: front
- Size: 43 x 26 x 40 inches
- Weight capacity: 220-265 pounds
- Top speed: 5 mph
- Turning radius: 26 inches
- Range on full charge: 19-25 miles
- Special feature: independent suspension for each wheel
- Warranty: 2 years
C.T.M
HS-5600 - Drive: rear
- Size: 38.7 inches x 24 inches x 45.3 inches
- Weight capacity: 350 pounds
- Top speed: 5 mph
- Range on full charge: 25 miles
- Special feature: Swing-away, joystick controller
- Warranty: 36 months for frame; 12 months...