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Archive: April 2017


Providers

Pacific Pulmonary settles for $11.4M

April 28, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

NOVATO, Calif. - Five years after the FBI raided its offices, Pacific Pulmonary Services has agreed to pay $11.4 million to the federal government to settle allegations that it participated in a kickback scheme.As part of that scheme, in 2006, the company's patient care coordinators allegedly began making patient referrals to sleep testing clinics in exchange for CPAP referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Act.“The allegations are that the company had this wink, wink, nod, nod understanding...

Home Respiratory Services, Pacific Pulmonary Services


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News

In brief: Data shows sharp decline, Invacare cleared for re-inspection

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - Nearly 41% of HME providers have dropped Medicare since July 2013, according to AAHomecare. That was when Round 2 of the competitive bidding program kicked off in 91 cities with an average reimbursement cut of 45%. Three states—California, New York and New Jersey—saw declines of more than 60%, while the District of Columbia saw a decline of 85.7%, according to data AAHomecare analyzed from the Medicare Supplier Directory. Bigger picture, the association found the...

AAHomecare, Competitive Bidding, Cure Medical, Heartland Conference, Home Medical Equipment (HME), Invacare, Medtrade


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Vendors

Invacare clear for re-inspection

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare has completed the final milestones required to lift a consent decree with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, paving the way for a re-inspection, the company announced April 27.“The re-inspection is an important step before the company may resume full operations at the impacted facilities,” Invacare stated in a press release.The decree has limited Invacare's ability to manufacture and sell certain products from its corporate headquarters and Taylor Street facilities...

Consent Decree, Invacare


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Mobility

Custom seats, backs return to individual pricing

April 28, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor

WASHINGTON - The DME MACs for Jurisdictions B and C have agreed to process all holding claims for custom seats and backs based on individual pricing, Rita Stanley, vice president of government relations for Sunrise Medical, announced at the National CRT Conference on April 26. Stanley says she was told there are 30 or so such claims for E2609 and E2617. “As of today, they were going to start processing those claims based on individual consideration again,” she said. “If the...

Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), Conference, Custom Seats & Backs, Rita Stanley


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News

CMS implements audit improvements

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - CMS has announced significant improvements to the processing of serial claims for capped rental items and certain inexpensive and non-routinely purchased items, according to a bulletin from AAHomecare. It's an issue that has been a challenge for providers for years and contributed to the massive appeals backlog, the association says. Improvements include: Instructing the DME MACs to change the process by which they adjudicate appeals of serial claims. Once the reason...

Audit, CMS, Medicare


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Mobility

Complex rehab stakeholders make their case

April 28, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor

ARLINGTON, Va. - The amount of work that needs to get done in Congress this year may be a double-edged sword for complex rehab stakeholders, lobbyists say. While the chaos could make it difficult for stakeholders to get heard, it could also provide a number of legislative vehicles for their issues, lobbyists told attendees at the National CRT Conference on April 26, after outlining the myriad goals of President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress, including repealing and replacing...

Complex Rehab, Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), Conference, Don Clayback, National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS), NCART


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Also Noted

Brightree buoys ResMed's earnings

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

SAN DIEGO - ResMed reported revenues of $514.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. Excluding contributions from Brightree, which ResMed acquired in April 2016, it reported revenues of $479.2 million, a 6% increase. “We had solid double-digit constant currency revenue growth in Q3, led by our Brightree software solutions, as well as mask and device sales," said Mick Farrell, ResMed's CEO. "This quarter we saw strong demand...

Brightree, Financial Results, ResMed, Sleep Therapy, Software


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Also Noted

Fall show on 'track'

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

ATLANTA - Booth sales for Medtrade, which takes place Oct. 23-26 at the Georgia World Conference Center, are on track, show organizers say. Exhibitors such as Tennessee-based ramp manufacturer American Access are returning after a two-year absence, ready to tap into renewed industry optimism, according to a press release. “After the positive vibe from Medtrade Spring and renewed hope for regulatory change in Washington, we are optimistic,” said Kevin Gaffney, group show director, in the...

2017, Kevin Gaffney, Medtrade


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Also Noted

VGM ready to retail

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM has leased a retail storefront to create a Retail Training Lab at the upcoming Heartland Conference. Located across from the convention center, the 1,100-square-foot showroom will feature healthcare products and display ideas. VGM's online marketing agency, Forbin, will also be in the showroom discussing online marketing tactics and trends to help providers reach their target audience. “We're proud to enhance Heartland Conference attendees' experience by offering...

Heartland Conference, Retail, retail sales, Rob Baumhover


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Also Noted

Maine providers score 'win'

April 28, 2017HME News Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine - MaineCare will return to the 2015 Medicare fee schedule on May 1, according to a bulletin from the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES). Additionally, the rates will not be affected by the federal match reduction in the 21st Century Cures Act. "This is a huge win for our Maine members," said Karyn Estrella, HOMES President and CEO. "These companies have been struggling for the past year because of the national roll out of competitive bidding rates.”

MaineCare


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