Archive: September 2003
Strategy
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
ORLANDO, Fla. - Former Rotech President Steve Griggs and his new HME roll-up appear to be adding locations right and left, frequently staffing them with former Rotech managers.
“It's a great strategy,” said Dexter Braff, president of The Braff Group, an M&A firm. “It is not uncommon for people after they get through their non-competes to get back into the business. When they do, they find that the relationships that they had are not that difficult to re-establish. So when they...
The ‘Good fight’ continues in 2004
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
As 2003 winds down, and we look forward to 2004, there are several issues of importance that will affect all of us in the HME industry now and into the future:
- Competitive bidding vs. COLA freeze: We firmly believe that competitive bidding is bad for the industry and we will continue to fight it to its death. So far we have been successful in thwarting the efforts of Representative Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) in getting this passed. As we write this column, there is a healthcare bill on the table that...
Medicare reform still stalled
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The conference committee trying to reconcile the House and Senate versions of Medicare reform legislation was bogged down in a dispute over a rural hospital provision in mid-September.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia., wants more money for hospitals in rural hospitals. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., does not. The reluctance of the Thomas camp to budge on this issue so angered Grassley that he pulled his staff people out of the reconciliation talks in protest.
In the meantime, the president is...
Workers comp insurer sues DME
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - A workers' compensation insurer is suing a Yorba Linda, Calif.-based DME, N-Care, for alleged over billing of durable medical equipment.
In a release announcing its suit, the insurer, Zenith Insurance Company, said that N-Care billed Zenith $995 for an orthopedic pillow that otherwise sells for $14-$16 and for a heat pack that sells for $62-$75.
Under California's workers' compensation laws, according to Zenith, a physician may seek reimbursement for DME dispensed to injured...
Lipka takes helm at NRRTS
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
LARGO VISTA, Texas - It's appropriate that Dan Lipka was named the sixth president of the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) recently: He was one of the first people to become a NRRTS member, when the organization was started 10 years ago. Lipka, an ATS with Miller's Assistive Technologies in Akron, Ohio, started his career as an occupational therapist, working with children and adults with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular conditions in several settings. He was...
Extra effort rewarded in women’s health market
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
Women's health might just be the biggest category in the home medical equipment field, providing a host of opportunities for providers.
It is also one of the most demanding specialties in the industry.
Serving women's health, from post-mastectomy to maternity, requires a huge commitment from providers. Not only do these patients need clinically skilled technicians, they want a provider who demonstrates sincerity, empathy and discretion.
Referral sources have exceptionally high provider standards...
Audit
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO - An investor group that includes former Apria CEO Jerry Jones recently acquired a $30 million HME that was feeling financial strife after it filed for bankruptcy in November.
Westar Capital, an experienced healthcare investor, acquired the San Diego-based LifeCare Solutions in July in partnership with Jones. Jones recognized the company's potential in southern California's regional market.
Jones also was attracted to LifeCare's hand in both the respiratory and infusion businesses.
“We...
Drop shipping: ‘This is easier and it takes less time’
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
MANGUM, Okla. - Before using Invacare Supply Group's drop shipping services, American Medi-Serve took inventory management to a new level - the ceiling, to be precise.
“I would order once a month and we're talking 100 cases of diapers and 200 cases of enteral nutrition,” said owner Donna Martin. “The store was a mess all the time because there was so much stuff in here.”
Not only did navigating the office become a challenge, but the logistics of using the U.S. Postal Service...
Question & Answer
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
Case manager talks turkey about HME
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Mindy Owen has more than 25 years experience as a registered nurse and case manager. She has worked as a case manager for hospitals and insurers. She currently runs her own consulting company, Phoenix HealthCare Associates, which specializes in, among other things, case management and disease management. Owen, who is scheduled to speak at Medtrade, is part of the Academy of Certified Case Managers' advisory board. The academy has scheduled...
Now, more than ever, collaboration is key
September 30, 2003HME News Staff
In last year's HME News address, we looked together at four areas of vulnerability faced by our industry, areas of concern for all providers:
- Government/reimbursement
- Dealer profitability
- Quality
- Technology
This year, let's approach these same issues from a different perspective. What can we , as participants in this industry, do about them?
Let's start with government/reimbursement. First, the climate is intense. States are challenged economically. Medicaid pressure is being felt across...