Archive: November 2003

A little red wine with your oxygen, sir? YARMOUTH, Maine - The same ingredient in red wine that makes it healthy for your heart may also slow down the inflammatory process involved in COPD, according to a new study. Researchers say resveratrol, a compound found in the skins of red fruits such as grapes, has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers say resveratrol was so effective at reducing inflammatory markers in laboratory tests that the compound may eventually be developed...

As consolidation of the HME industry nears the end of its second decade with barely a pause, is the end game finally in sight? Apria, Lincare and Rotech have combined revenues of $2.8 billion. The 10 largest providers comprise 25 to 30% of the market and include such well-capitalized players as Praxair, Air Products and Walgreens. Is it possible that three of these hungry players (or some others not yet in the game) will gobble up 50% of the business in the next five years? I am sure the buyers would...

Harris County providers feel the squeeze HOUSTON, Texas - Hundreds of legitimate providers here have felt the consequences of rampant fraud, and now many also are feeling its repercussions as CMS officials target Harris County with its Wheeler Dealer crackdown. In its 10-point campaign to curb abuse, CMS placed significant requirements on providers in the Houston-area. “It is just incredible what they have done to us,” said one Houston provider who asked to remain anonymous. Despite...

YARMOUTH, Maine - When deciding which product to buy, quality may be the key driver for many providers, but it's hardly the only criteria. A manufacturer's sales rep, timeliness of delivery, co-op dollars and other factors also figure into the buying equation. For most, however, quality still seems to play a pivotal role. “On many occasions we find ourselves paying $50 more for a lightweight wheelchair so we can offer a higher quality product, get the customer satisfaction and less maintenance...

LEBANON, Tenn. - In the wake of a requirement that all Permobil sales people achieve RESNA's ATS/ATP certification, 17 members of the company's sales staff passed the exam in Nashville Sept. 25. Permobil now employs 28 ATS/ATPs. In 2002, Permobil ramped up efforts to raise standards in the power wheelchair industry across the board. The company informed its dealer network that it expects suppliers to have an ATS/ATP on staff by 2004. Permobil's director of government affairs is on a state-by-state...

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - Region C Medical Director Dr. Paul Metzger has accepted a job as vice president of government relations at the Scooter Store, which emerged as the nation's largest supplier of power wheelchairs during his time at the DMERC. Metzger joined the Scooter Store Nov. 10 and also will serve as the company's chief medical officer. Metzger resigned as medical director Oct. 31, just weeks after the eruption of the power wheelchair scandal in Harris County, Texas and just days after...

WASHINGTON - Legislators working on Medicare reform agreed last month to a five-year CPI freeze for DME beginning in 2004 and to reimbursement cuts on five bread-and-butter products that could be as steep as 22% beginning in 2005. Negotiators also agreed to conduct competitive bidding in 2007 in the 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas for six or fewer items. Two years later, the proposed legislation calls for competitive bidding in the 50 largest metropolitan areas. The proposal staggered...

December 1, 2003 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Advair Diskus 250/50 as a new treatment for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Advair differs from other available COPD treatments in that it contains both an anti-inflammatory and a long-acting bronchodilator to help control COPD symptoms. Previously, the only FDA-approved medications for the treatment of COPD have been bronchodilators. The two medicines in Advair work in conjunction to...

WASHINGTON - How sharp is the contrast between national competitive bidding for durable medical equipment and a seven-year freeze on consumer price index and cost of living allowances? In a spiritual context, it's the difference between “nirvana and hell,” said Don White, president of Buffalo, NY-based Associated Healthcare. “Compared to competitive bidding, the CPI freeze is a much preferred situation,” White said. “I operate in 11 markets across New York state. To...

Bruce Vladeck, who was HCFA administrator from 1993 to 1997, recently characterized the spotty access to sophisticated durable medical equipment as a “continuing scandal.” But make no mistake: The current Professor of Health Policy and Geriatrics at Mt. Sinai University in New York doesn't mince words when it comes to durable medical equipment in America today. We recently spoke with Vladeck, who will present the keynote address at Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas on March 17th at 7:30 a.m. HME...