Archive: 2014
People news: Strong, Mahler, Bragdon
December 31, 2014HME News Staff
Health System Services (HSS) has hired Michael Strong to lead its new home modification division. Strong has more than five years of experience in the field. Prior to joining the Niagara Falls, N.Y.-based HSS, he worked for Prism Medical…New England Orthotic and Prosthetic Systems (NEOPS) has promoted David Mahler to COO and Terri Bragdon to chief administrative officer effective Jan. 1. Mahler has been with the Branford, Conn.-based NEOPS for 14 years and Bragdon has been with the company for...
Cape Medical Supply prioritizes sleep
December 31, 2014Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
SANDWICH, Mass. - Cape Medical Supply opened its Sleep Therapy Center in December, the company's most recent move in a clear shift in focus toward sleep.Cape Medical converted nearly half of its existing retail showroom at its headquarters here into a sleep center that has the look and feel of a physician's office, with a comfortable waiting room and private treatment rooms.“All the information, signage, etc., is geared toward that patient base,” said CEO Gary Sheehan. “They are...
HSS pulls trigger on new division
December 31, 2014Tracy Orzel
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - The home modification division at Health System Services (HSS) has been a long time coming—10 years to be exact."This was the right time, because the right people were available to help us do it," said Bob Miniccuci, president.HSS hired Mike Strong, who has five years of experience in safe-patient handling and home modification, to lead the charge as general manager of the new division.The new home modification division fits in well with HSS's existing business: Part B...
Baby boomers, lift chairs drive post-holiday sales
December 31, 2014Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - Although the start of the year always means big sales for mainstream retailers, when it comes to home medical equipment, other factors drive buying.
“My philosophy is, people don't shop for this stuff when it's on sale,” said Mike Kuller, president of All Star Medical Supply in Walnut Creek, Calif. “They shop for it when they decide they need it.”
That doesn't mean, however, that Kuller doesn't see an increase in sales after the holidays.
“Baby...
In brief: AeroCare deal dissolves, Inogen shareholders sell
December 31, 2014HME News Staff
ORLANDO - A merger agreement between AeroCare and MergeWorthRx (MWRX) has been terminated. Under the terms of the deal, announced in October, MWRX, a Miami-based specialty purpose acquisition company, had until Dec. 26 to either complete the merger or dissolve, according to a press release. MWRX formed in July 2013 to merge with one or more target businesses. AeroCare, which offers respiratory products and services to more than 150,000 patients through 175 locations in 20 U.S. states, has annual...
AeroCare deal falls through
December 31, 2014HME News Staff
ORLANDO - A merger agreement between AeroCare and MergeWorthRx (MWRX) has been terminated.Under the terms of the deal, announced in October, MWRX, a Miami-based specialty purpose acquisition company, had until Dec. 26 to either complete the merger or dissolve, according to a press release.MWRX formed in July 2013 to merge with one or more target businesses.AeroCare, which offers respiratory products and services to more than 150,000 patients through 175 locations in 20 U.S. states, has annual revenues...
Groups set stage for action on audits
December 31, 2014Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - Even though the American Hospital Association (AHA) lost its bid to get a court to intervene in a huge backlog of appeals of Medicare claims, the lawsuit keeps the controversial program in the spotlight, industry stakeholders say.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in December not to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet statutory deadlines for timely review of claim denials. The judge said that Congress, not the court, should take...
NHIA schedules fly-in
December 30, 2014HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) encourages its members to fly into Washington, D.C., in February to meet with lawmakers to talk up efforts to require Medicare to pay for home infusion services and related supplies under Part B. The NHIA is targeting the following dates: Feb. 4-5, 11-12 or 25-26. The association will set up meetings, prepare materials and coach members on conducting meetings with lawmakers. In September, Reps. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio,...
Rip Van Winkle? Not so much
December 30, 2014Liz Beaulieu, Editor
You'd think, after taking a three-month maternity leave, that I'd I feel a little bit more Rip Van Winkle about the HME industry.
But as I peruse the issues that Managing Editor Theresa Flaherty so skillfully got out the door while I was out, I can't say that I feel like I've missed very much.
Competitive bidding.
Bundling.
Audits.
Consolidation.
Repeat.
The good news: I'm still pretty up to date on what's going on in the HME industry.
The bad news:...
In the spirit: Convaid, Pride Mobility Products
December 30, 2014HME News Staff
Torrance, Calif.-based Convaid recently donated one of its Rodeo wheelchairs to Arthur Day, a nine-year-old who was born with cerebral palsy and other health issues. Day's previous wheelchair was stolen from the lobby of his apartment complex in Los Angeles. Convaid representatives set out to get Day a new wheelchair in time for Christmas after hearing about his story on a local TV station. Helping to make the donation happen: Joe McKnight, an ATP at Access Medical…The Beamsville, Ontario, office...