Archive: December 2017

One of the many tasks the editors at HME News field is drumming up a newspoll each month. Sometimes the questions are better than others, and sometimes what seemed like a great question, on second read, after the poll already goes out, seem obvious. This month's topic, Amazon, definitely generated lots of comments on the impact of the Amazon effect. “Amazon's suicide pricing will (if unchecked) destroy our industry exactly like they destroyed the retail industry.” For this, and other...

A. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have been integrated in our daily lives from social media interactions, retail shopping and now healthcare. Unlike the retail industry, where ads are triggered based on a web user's interest, the healthcare industry uses predictive analysis to learn more about patients and improve their health outcomes, which in turn can lead to cost savings. Machine learning platforms help identify potential issues or gaps in care. By doing this, we can...

A. With the recent cuts in reimbursement, home care providers are looking to get every penny out of every transaction. Taking advantage of an oxygen non-delivery model eliminates service costs for the provider and puts them in position to thrive in the low reimbursement era. Most manufacturers have designed products and crafted programs designed to make this possible for providers. A good option to convert an existing fleet is to look into the pricing options on bundling portable and stationary...

A. The GDPR, effective May 25, 2018, requires a number of new data protection obligations for everyone who does business in and with the European Union. EU data protection law will extend to all foreign companies processing the data of EU residents.One of the key requirements is that SMBs must have a technical solution in place and organizational measures that demonstrate compliance.Another important change is the replacement of the Safe Harbor by Privacy Shieldwhich...

A. Most HME providers already have an existing database of patients and capture key information during the intake process; so, what's the next step? What products and strategies are most effective? How can you measure success?As with all marketing, you must find a way to be relevant to the audience; data can help target different products based on demographics and disease state. In addition to understanding patient challenges based on the equipment you provide, timing is also a significant...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - It's no secret that audits, and all the administrative complexities that accompany them, have been the bane of the HME industry for years. But a recently formed partnership between HME stakeholders aims to change that.Dubbed RxCloud9, LLC, the partnership between HME business owners and a HME billing software developer is poised to release a software package that aims to simplify—and, more importantly, clarify—the audit process.“The value in this product...

  Oxygen technology continues to make strides, from remote monitoring connectivity to product engineering that bolsters efficiency, durability and longevity. And while new product designs ultimately benefit the patient, they are also geared toward saving providers money in a hardscrabble reimbursement climate, manufacturers say. “The goal of technological innovation is to drive better outcomes and lower costs across the board more efficiently,” said Biola Okunola, global marketing...

DENVER - The Kids Mobility Network hit $5 million in donated wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility equipment in November. Here's what Peter Kopp, who founded the nonprofit with his wife Christy, had to say about the difficulties of doing good.HME News: You first started accepting donated equipment in 2005, with the goal of refurbishing it and getting it back in the hands of children with disabilities. What's surprised you on this journey? Peter Kopp: The demand is so much greater than we...

DULUTH, Minn. - In another nod that it's a specialized but growing market, the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services has opened up its Home Modification Accessibility Committee to providers nationwide. At press time, the committee had 14 members, including new members from Arizona, Mississippi and California, according to Rose Schafhauser, executive director of MAMES. “It's a great opportunity to network in such a specific area,” she said, “which is extremely...

HARTFORD, Conn. - With all of the noise about the need to reduce healthcare costs, post-acute care is getting a lot of attention these days, and companies like CareCentrix, a health management services provider, are ready for the spotlight, says CEO John Driscoll.Driscoll sees opportunities for its network of post-acute care providers to show how they keep patients home and reduce costs.“In an unmanaged environment, whether it's the government or managed care, they will just take all of the...