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Archive: February 2009


News

CMS details billing policies

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

WASHINGTON--CMS in January released billing details for capped oxygen patients. The industry's reaction: It's a day late, and to some, a dollar short. In its Jan. 27 listserv message, CMS detailed how to replace equipment after five years and provide contents. “In general, I thought it provided clarity on some of the billing issues we've had,” said Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare. “But, really, this should have been out in December....

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Providers sound off on plans

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

YARMOUTH, Maine--With healthcare reform a popular topic these days, even Medicare Advantage Plans are getting a closer look. It's about time, say some providers. “Customers come into our store and they will pull out these insurance cards like a deck of cards,” said Kim Lynn, HME operations manager for Reidsville, N.C.-based Carolina Apothecary. “They don't know what one is current because they don't get rid of the old ones. It's a billing nightmare.” The plans, originally...

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Dialing for data: Rules test providers

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

YARMOUTH, Maine--New sleep policies that went into effect Nov. 1 have some providers questioning whether they want to provide CPAP for Medicare patients. “We're on the verge of dropping Medicare for CPAP because of all the requirements,” said Mike Kuller, president of Concord, Calif.-based Allstar Oxygen Services. The new guidelines, issued in September, ramped up compliance requirements. For initial coverage of a CPAP, patients must have a face-to-face evaluation with a physician before...

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House bill proposes $500,000 surety bond

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

WASHINGTON--Shortly after CMS issued a final rule requiring HME providers to obtain $50,000 surety bonds, a Florida congressman upped the ante. On the opening day of Congress, Jan. 6, Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., introduced H.R. 203, the “Medicare Fraud Prevention Act of 2009,” a bill that would require providers to obtain $500,000 surety bonds. The cost to obtain a $50,000 surety bond is roughly $1,500 per year. Obtaining a $500,000 bond would cost providers roughly $15,000 per year,...

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Oxygen cap arrives

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

In the first weeks after the 36-month cap on oxygen kicked in, providers walked a tightrope of caring for patients without the safety net of specific guidelines. Even with additional guidance issued Jan. 27 (See story page 1), providers like Glenn Steinke were treading cautiously. “I have patients whose concentrators have capped, but the POC has not,” said Steinke, owner of Bishop Calif.-based Airway Medical. “Oxygen is just a total nightmare.” Many of the questions providers...

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Economic downturn stalls collections...

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

For many HME providers, the economic downturn has made the difficult task of collecting patient co-pays next to impossible. With cash strapped consumers putting their medical bills on the back burner, sources say, it's no longer enough for providers to send out monthly statements and expect to be paid. “You have to be proactively calling the patients explaining to them why they owe what they do,” said Mike Bargmann, vice president of sales for Akron, Ohio-based Bargmann Management, which...

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Training gives providers leg up

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

Increased awareness of the benefits of compression therapy is creating a growth opportunity for providers. As many as 40 million Americans have varicose veins, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. By age 50, 40% of women and 20% of men have significant leg vein problems. Yet, “not too many companies deal with compression,” said Theresa Kelly, Allied Medical Supply in Orange, Calif. “They don't go with the higher grade or custom products, which we do a lot of.” Kelly...

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Paragon wants you

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

WAYNE, Pa.--Paragon Ventures, a mergers-and-acquisition firm that represents homecare businesses, has $50 billion in committed private equity funding burning a hole in its pocket. Paragon announced Jan. 26 that, through a new division called Highway Capital, it will play matchmaker between private equity firms looking to invest millions and businesses looking to grow. “As the economy started to falter last year, private equity firms lost their confidence in publicly held businesses, so now...

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Women's health: It's essential

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

CHARLESTON, S.C.--Accreditation and reduced reimbursement weigh on women's health providers. But this year's Focus on the Future Conference aims to lighten their load. The ninth annual event, hosted by Essentially Women, a buying group, takes place March 30-April 2 in Charleston, S.C. It features 60 exhibitors, networking events, educational sessions and specialty product training. More than ever, providers are seeking advice, said Cindy Ciardo, manager of vendor services for Essentially Women. “There's...

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Oxygen coalition seeks one voice

February 28, 2009HME News Staff

ARLINGTON, Va.--Sensing a need for urgency, AAHomecare has formed a coalition to build consensus among various industry stakeholders to reform the Medicare oxygen benefit. The New Oxygen Coalition (NOC) had its first teleconference Feb. 3, amid a growing number of horror stories from providers and beneficiaries about post-cap life. “Whatever plan is put together, the industry has to be moving in a coordinated fashion,” said Tyler Wilson, AAHomecare's president. “The most counterproductive...

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