Archive: January 2009

Elkins, W.Va.-based Davis HomePlus moved into a larger location in December... Davenport, Iowa-based Genesis Home Medical Equipment achieved HQAA accreditation in December...Salt Lake City-based Orbit Medical received ACHC accreditation in December...Day's Healthy Living, a pharmacy, natural remedies and HME store, opened in January in Cicero, Ind.

MIAMI--The Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America (AMEPA) in January was weighing the pros and cons of suing CMS to stop the 36-month oxygen cap. AMEPA hired the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Greenberg Traurig in December after the Small Business Administration agreed with the association that CMS had failed to consider the cap's impact on small businesses, something it must do per the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

WATERLOO, Iowa--The VGM Group announced in December that it had partnered with CareFlash to help HME providers tap into social networking Web sites, “one of the mega-trends in our country.” The partnership paves the way for providers to get their ads featured on CareFlash's Web site, www.careflash.com. The site allows family and friends to submit, retrieve and share information about their loved ones with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. “Talking to providers, we've...

Q. Due to the current climate, I want to close as many sales as possible. Any secrets? A. There's no magic to closing sales. Just like many overweight people who are constantly looking for a pill or the latest fad to help them lose weight, many salespeople are just not doing the hard work necessary to get the results they're looking for. The closing process is particularly stressful for new, inexperienced or poorly trained salespeople. For professional salespeople, it's a natural and an easy end...

LAS VEGAS--It may be another Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas, but show organizers realize times have changed. That's why they're giving cash-strapped attendees the opportunity to register for the show for $99 until Feb. 25. That gives them access to dozens of conference sessions and the show floor. “We feel that our responsibility to the HME industry is to ensure providers receive both critical education and interaction with the leading manufacturers, so we decided to make attending Medtrade Spring...

Did manual wheelchairs dodge a bullet by avoiding a 9.5% nationwide reimbursement cut? Yes, but no one in the industry is popping any champagne corks. With a new administration coming in, an economy in the doldrums and manual wheelchair coding still an unknown, the status quo remains in flux and the future uncertain. Because it wasn't one of the 10 product categories put out to bid as part of national competitive bidding, manual wheelchairs are safe from the 9.5% cut. In fact, the product category...

CINCINNATI--PRO2 Respiratory has no plans to curtail its focus on quality clinical care - even if it is a little more expensive. Instead of reducing its workforce of respiratory therapists (RTs), the provider is zeroing in on efficiencies throughout its system to offset a 36-month oxygen cap and a 9.5% nationwide reimbursement cut on CPAP and other DME, says Nancy Archdeacon. “I'm still scratching my head with all the legislative changes,” said Archdeacon, founding partner. “I don't...

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, Pa.--Due to a substantial cut in Medicare payments for home oxygen therapy, Apria Healthcare will close a billing office here and consolidate it with another facility in Tennessee, according to a local newspaper. Apria will begin closing the office in April, affecting 55 employees. The provider also plans to close two other billing centers in Seattle and Houston. Apria told a newspaper that it will make every effort to place affected employees in other jobs within the company.

ARLINGTON, Va.--AAHomecare met with industry stakeholders in January to unveil a sweeping reform plan for home oxygen therapy that it hopes will protect the benefit from future reimbursement cuts. The plan, which was developed by AAHomecare, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care and other industry stakeholders, proposes changing Medicare statute to incorporate services. “The threat is extremely real, if nothing is done,” said Walt Gorski, vice president of government affairs for AAHomecare....

ORLANDO, Fla.--This March, the International Seating Symposium (ISS) will celebrate 25 years of putting seating and wheeled mobility front and center. This year, the show offers new speakers and content such as a one-day course on wheelchair fundamentals. HME News recently spoke with Mark Schmeler, continuing education course director at the University of Pittsburgh, a sponsor of ISS, which takes place March 12-14 in Orlando. HME News: How will the ISS commemorate its 25th anniversary? Mark Schmeler:...