Archive: April 2014

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has made available for sharing three videos through its Save My Medical Supplies campaign.The short videos, available at www.savemymedicalsupplies.org, help to educate Medicare beneficiaries, families and caregivers about how Medicare problems can impact them, according to a release.The first video is an overview of major issues related to Medicare reform. The second: an interview with Thomas Morris, a beneficiary with diabetes and an amputee, that highlights issues related...

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Pediatric Home Service (PHS) has expanded its infusion pharmacy to meet the demands of its growing population of medically complex pediatric patients, according to a release. The expansion will also enable PHS to increase efficiencies in workflow, better use space and enhance staff communication. “Thanks to our additional capabilities and a rise in infusion therapies that can be delivered in the home, we're able to continue providing this unique service to a growing patient...

Mervyn Watkins, the founder of Convaid, has been named one of the 15 Most Influential Business Leaders in Torrance, Calif., by the Torrance Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized for his commitment and leadership in support of growing the local economy. Watkins served as Convaid's CEO until 2008 and maintains an active role on the company's board of directors�Ottobock has promoted Kathy Schuerman to vice president of finance for North America. She joined the company in 2006 as controller and has...

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group has boosted its retail offerings by acquiring Minneapolis-based Simply Shops. VGM will merge Simply Shops, a healthcare retail consultant primarily to hospitals, with VGM Retail Services. Simply Shops is known for its “Retail Science” concept—offering a blend of gift/floral, convenience, health and wellness, and logo wear to support patients, families, staff, visitors and the overall community in the hospital environment, according to a press release. “Blending...

OLD FORGE, Pa. - Golden Technologies has doubled the capacity of its Pennsylvania Lift Chair Distribution Center by opening a new warehouse in Laflin, Pa. The warehouse has 100,000 square feet of storage and distribution space, and features energy efficient lighting, railroad ramp access and truck loading docks. In addition to the larger distribution center, Golden's long-term plan includes increasing its manufacturing capabilities by adding new production lines. That's exactly what the company will...

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - Home Care Medical has reached an agreement with Sheboygan Employer's Health Network (SEHN) to be an in-network provider for area health insurance members. SEHN offers health insurance to the employees and their families of six major self-funded employers located in Sheboygan County. The agreement allows SEHN members to access products and services from all five of Home Care Medical's lines of business: infusion and enteral therapy; high-tech rehab equipment; respiratory care; HME...

WASHINGTON - If you're not one of the 200 people who will be descending on Capitol Hill this week for the National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference, you can still participate. On Tuesday, April 29, NCART and NRRTS are also hosting a call-in day. They're encouraging thousands of people to call members of Congress and ask them to sign on as co-sponsors to H.R. 942 and S.948, bills to create a separate benefit for complex rehab. To participate, go to www.access2crt.org to see if...

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or so the old saying goes. Unfortunately, when it comes to healthcare dollars, money often gets spent on the more-costly cure. That needs to change, says Brian Pavlin. “I think that the way that health care moves forward, we are going to want to prevent readmissions,” he said. “We need to focus on things that cause readmissions, whether it's drug interactions or something else.” HME providers are uniquely placed to help patients...

This past Monday, I followed along on Twitter and Facebook as People for Quality Care shadowed Tim Ascherl, founder of Advanced Rehab Technologies, for the day. Tim shared his frustrations about the struggles he faces (like $300,000 in audits) trying to provide clients with the medical equipment they need. And, he showed why access to proper equipment is critical, saying, “As long as my equipment works, I'm not disabled.” It was a nice way to get a glimpse into the daily workings of a...

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