Archive: July 2005
CMS boosts HHA rates 2.5%
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
BALTIMORE -- CMS announced a proposed 2.5 percent increase in Medicare payment rates to home health agencies for calendar year 2006. The increase would bring an extra $330 million in payments to home health agencies next year.
Home health payment rates are updated annually by either the full home health market basket percentage, or by the home health market basket percentage as adjusted by Congress. CMS establishes the home health market basket index, which measures inflation in the prices of an...
Outtake
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
OAK CREEK, Wis. -- Rehab Tech recently earned JCAHO accreditation. Vice President of Sales Larry Scott said the company needed accreditation because it subcontracts with hospitals and chose JCAHO because of its name recognition with hospitals and insurance carriers. "If you say JCAHO, they don't ask anything more," he said.
More managed care plans take on Medicare
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- CMS announced last week that it had approved 143 new managed care plans for service in 2005, a dramatic boost over the number of plans previously available to seniors.
With the addition of the new plans, Medicare beneficiaries will have access to 428 health plans across the country, including 41 plans that are new to the program and 66 new local PPOs.
At AAHomecare's annual legislative conference last month, former CMS Administrator Tom Scully predicted that as many as half of all...
Congress: Modify in-the-home
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- A rising tide of congressmen and senators is calling on CMS to modify the in-the-home restriction through the regulatory process, and if they cannot, to say why not as soon as possible.
More than 60 members of Congress and more than 20 senators have signed separate letters to Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
"We are concerned that CMS's current interpretation of the "in-the-home" requirement may continue to act as an inappropriate restriction...
Voinovich pushes for HME quality standards
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -- Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, urged CMS to address his constituents' concerns about the development of quality standards for HME suppliers in a letter sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt June 29.
Voinovich relayed provider anxieties that the slow pace of development could hinder supplier attempts to be fully accredited by the time competitive bidding gets underway.
"As you know," Voinovich wrote, "obtaining accreditation status typically takes six to [12]...
Arbitration awards damages to Coloplast
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
ATLANTA -- A tribunal of the American Arbitration Association ruled that Lou Malice of American Breast Care violated his contract with Coloplast and misappropriated trade secrets. The tribunal issued an injunction against Malice and awarded damages to Coloplast. But the terms of the settlement do not prevent Malice from working at ABC, where he plans to resume his position as co-CEO with Jay Markowitz. In a separate action last fall, a federal judge ruled that American Breast Care had not misappropriated...
Slumping sales whack Invacare
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio -- Invacare's share price dipped by 16% July 6 on news that lower-than-expected sales and higher freight costs would prevent the company from meeting its earnings goals for the second quarter.
It was the deepest one-day divot for Invacare in nearly two years. Two weeks later, the stock
company
stock had recovered several percentage points but was still trying to crest the $40 mark. The company's shares had closed July 5 at nearly $45 per share.
The company expected to miss its earnings...
Category: Ambulatory aids
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
Key Products: Canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, braces, lightweight transport chairs, accessories.
Marketing strategies:
- Take advantage of manufacturer merchandising programs that offer guidance on the proper way to display merchandise.
- Carry products with contemporary stylings like metallic paint and fashionable patterns.
- Become a "shopper" to find out what brands competitors carry and differentiate yourself by carrying something different. Focus on hard-to-find specialty items.
- Decorate...
Smart Talk: Will the eCMN work for you?
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
Q. Three years ago, eCMNs came to the forefront as one of the greatest ways to cut costs since sliced bread, but no one is slicing bread, what gives? Is there really as much savings in operations as has been touted?
A. There is much more involved here than just a cost saving opportunity. First, it is important to recognize that new technology almost always takes longer to catch on than its originators expect. Not only do providers need to be sold, but so do the physician referral sources. Further,...
Outtakes
July 31, 2005HME News Staff
American Medical Oxygen Sales opened its first retail store in a Wal-Mart Superstore in Mishawaka, Ind., on June 20. The 760-square-foot store will provide a variety of DME, mainly mobility items, power wheelchairs, scooters, stair lifts, bath safety, ADLs and lift chairs. American Medical, founded in 1953, also has offices in Hammond, South Bend and Valparaiso, Ind. ... Williams Brothers Pharmacy started construction on a new free-standing store in Princeton, Ind., in May. Featuring 10,000 square...