Archive: February 2006

BAR HARBOR, Maine - Researchers at the Jackson Laboratory may have discovered the key that will unlock some of the genetic mysteries of type 1 diabetes, the Bangor Daily News reported. The scientists have figured out a way to fix defective, diabetes-causing cells in laboratory mice before the disease ever has a chance to develop. The research team has been studying antigen-presenting cells, or APCs, which show the body's white blood cells what to fight off and what to leave alone, a process called...

WASHINGTON - CMS still has not issued a footwear guidance update, but DME providers and pharmacists wondering about their status as qualified therapeutic footwear fitters are not standing still. "Everybody is positioning themselves to present a product or program that would be approved, to give them status as qualified fitters," said Bill Popamaronis, the National Association of Community Pharmacists' vice president of long-term/home health care pharmacy services. Many industry watchers had expected...

LEBANON, Tenn. - Permobil's C500 power wheelchair landed a guest appearance on NBC's Emmy Award-winning drama "ER" Feb. 2. The episode called "Body and Soul" highlighted the struggles of college professor Dr. Nate Lennox, played by Academy Award-nominated actor James Woods, as he battles ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. "This was an amazing experience for everyone involved," said Barry Steelman, marketing manager for Permobil, Inc. "Actor James Woods was the consummate professional and demonstrated...

ROME, Ga. - He's arguably the most popular staffer at Clear Choice Oxygen and Medical Supply, and he's known to be a soft touch for local nursing home residents. "He" is Czar, an 18-month-old, 80-pound Akita owned by company president Larry Szeliga and his wife, Stephanie Hammond. He provides some low-key therapy for local patients. "I just picture myself someday in a nursing home unable to pet an animal," said Hammond, an animal lover whose personal menagerie includes two cats and a bird. "It's...

LAS VEGAS - A confluence of legislative and regulatory pressures has created a climate for the HME industry that is being described as "the perfect storm." But despite the dark skies, Medtrade Spring organizers are offering providers refuge in the form of educational programs. Along with a full roster of seminars held during the show, the Medtrade Spring educational advisory committee has also scheduled two separate pre-show symposiums on March 21: the Continuum of Care Conference and a reimbursement...

DENVER - Peter and Christy Kopp, the parents of a daughter with a rare genetic disorder, know what it's like to watch a child outgrow mobility equipment before it shows much wear and tear. In the past, the parents of 7-year-old Kayla have tried donating her barely used walkers and wheelchairs to children's hospitals, but liability issues always kept the hospitals from passing the equipment on to other children. The Kopps didn't want the equipment to go to waste, knowing how much it improved Kayla's...

Q. How can I measure whether the money I'm spending on marketing is really working? A. Measuring the success of your marketing requires defining what "success" means to you ahead of time. This means your planning process should include plans for tracking the effectiveness of your campaign and what specific goals you want to reach. For example, let's say you're opening a new location and want to get the word out. You decide to advertise in the local newspaper and send direct mail. Rather than simply...

When President Bush signed off on a deficit reduction bill in February that, among other things, capped Medicare oxygen reimbursement at 36 months, the HME industry suffered yet another blow to its livelihood. Fortunately, because only 10% to 20% of Medicare beneficiaries stay on oxygen longer than 36 months, the financial blow to providers is not huge. The bigger issue here is patient safety, and that's an issue that lawmakers who pushed this policy through ignored. What do beneficiaries know about...

PUEBLO, Colo. - When two nonprofits here merged in January, the combined organization strengthened its ability to provide DME--among other services--to some of the community's most needy residents. "Our agency caters to underserved, uninsured seniors, but anyone is welcome," said Chuck Lewis, data management and administration at StepUp. When it come to helping those in dire straits, however, nonprofits aren't alone. Rank-and-file HME providers regularly chip in, viewing their ability to do so as...

Despite current reimbursement and regulatory challenges, demographic and behavioral characteristics make me optimistic about the future of HME. I'd build a business centered on identifying and meeting the needs of customers, and I'd build a team that understands my customer base and is passionate about meeting their needs. PRODUCT AND PAYER MIX My business has three segments: respiratory care, DME and home lifestyles. My respiratory care is clinically based and includes oxygen, sleep therapy and...