Archive: 2007
AAH’s legislative conference: Are you up to the challenge?
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. -Â The North Carolina Association for Medical Equipment Services (NCAMES) has challenged other associations to bring providers from every congressional district in their states to AAHomecare's Legislative Conference. NCAMES will sponsor two people from each district in its state to attend the March 4-6 conference at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. “Let's set attendance records, get a large group in Washington, and show them that our industry's grassroots efforts...
Sen. McCain visits with HME patient
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
JACKSON, Mich. -Â Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., visited with a patient of Great Lakes Home Health during a Nov. 8 campaign stop here.
McCain, a Vietnam War veteran, visited Marvin Seifkin, a World War II veteran, and his wife, Florence, at their home after a town hall rally at “Under the Oaks,” the 1854 birthplace of the Republican party. Great Lakes supplies Seifkin with end-of-life care.
“Mr. Seifkin had some photo albums from WWII, and Mr. McCain recognized...
‘The nation owes these veterans’
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
Bob Dole, a former senator from Kansas and WW II war veteran, presented two executives from The Scooter Store with a plaque at the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C., in November for their work with the “Honor Flight Network.” The network transports veterans from their hometowns to Washington, D.C., to visit the WW II Memorial and other memorials. The Scooter Store provides wheelchairs and scooters to the veterans “for added mobility” while they're in town. Mark Leita, director...
Schmeler climbs up ladder at UPITT
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh appointed Dr. Mark Schmeler director of the continuing education program of the Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology (RSTCE) in November. The appointment follows the retirement of Elaine Trefler. RSTCE coordinates the International Seating Symposium, which takes place every other year in the United States. Schmeler has been a faculty member at UPitt since 1996. He has more than 18 years of clinical experience in assistive technology.
Rehab industry responds to ‘curve ball’
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
WASHINGTON -Â The rehab industry responded fast and furious to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report claiming Medicare would save big bucks if it used Internet prices to set reimbursement for power mobility devices (PMDs).
The industry didn't think the Oct. 31 report had legs, but a Nov. 9 “dear colleague” letter from Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., changed all that, sources say. In his letter, Stark, who chairs the Health Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, emphasized...
Byram gets back to basics
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - After a busy, high-profile string of acquisitions a few years ago, Byram Healthcare adopted a veritable vow of silence, and with good reason.
The $100-million-plus mail-order supplies company needed some quiet time to digest the acquisitions and to get back to the basics of good patient care and customer service, said President/CEO Rick Smith, who joined the company in June 2006.
“Sometimes when you are in a business a long time, you get away from the day-to-day focus...
Industry’s elder statesman offers a wealth of tough love
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
Later this year, Shelly Prial, a self-described “crabby old man,” plans to check out of the HME industry and into retirement. If there's a grandfather figure in the HME industry, it's the 80-year-old Prial. Since 1950, he's worked as a pharmacist, HME provider, manufacturer's rep, consultant and for the past three years as director of government relations for Graham-Field. He's best known as founder of the Homecare Providers Co-op, which he started in 1987 and sold—following a minor...
Second fraud arrest at Active Solutions
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
WORTHINGTON, Ohio -Â Federal prosecutors arrested Michael Cowen of Active Solutions in November for providing power wheelchairs instead of power scooters, according to the Roanoke Times. He has been charged with healthcare fraud, money laundering, mail fraud, telemarketing fraud, tampering with consumer products and obstruction of justice. Cowen allegedly helped Active Solutions submit nearly $26 million in claims to Medicare and Medicaid for the power wheelchairs. According to the newspaper:...
Generic DuoNeb market
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine - Neb-med providers could see a leveling of the playing field in the coming months as the six-month patent on generic DuoNeb expires and competing generics hit the market, say industry leaders.
“I think you'll see the generic pricing become more competitive,” said Sam Jarczynski, president of Rx Stat in St. Petersburg, Fla. “So far, the pricing hasn't been good for many people.”
The generic, manufactured by Princeton, N.J.-based Sandoz and launched in early...
Make your case when claims are denied
December 31, 2007HME News Staff
Q. What is the Medicare Appeals Council, and what role does it play in the appeals process?”
A. Many providers often do not fully take advantage of the appeals process. Assigned claims that were denied by the Medicare contractor initially and upon review are then appealed to the QIC (“Qualified Independent Contractor”) and, if denied at that level, to the federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level. The ALJ level is the first time the appellant has the opportunity to orally present...