Skip to Content

Archive: November 2018


News

In brief: CMS extends comment period; DJO sells, Aeroflow buys

November 30, 2018HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - CMS has extended a comment period for its plans to add new product categories to the competitive bidding program. The agency will now accept comments through Dec. 17. CMS included the new categories—ventilators and off-the-shelf knee and back braces—in a recent final rule. The proposal caught the industry by surprise and the inclusion of vents, in particular, has stakeholders concerned. AAHomecare has formed a ventilator workgroup to develop comments to the proposal. The...

Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

News

Blog: Are we headed for another 2012?

November 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor

“We believe we're on the cusp of another 2012,” said Dexter Braff, president of The Braff Group, during a webcast last week on the M&A outlook for HME. What happened in 2012? According to The Braff Group: The number of HME deals jumped to 107, up from 71 in 2011 and 59 in 2010; and the number of private equity deals also jumped to 10, up from four in 2011 and 2010. 2012 was also the year after CMS kicked off its competitive bidding program in the country's largest cities...

Dexter Braff, HME News Business Summit, Summit Talks, The Braff Group


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Also Noted

Coalition pushes leadership to pass accessories bill

November 30, 2018HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - The ITEM Coalition has sent a second letter to leaders of the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees in the House of Representatives, urging them to pass H.R. 3730. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., and John Larson, D-Conn., would stop CMS from using competitive bidding-related pricing for accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs. The letter follows up on an earlier letter sent in September. “We now urge you to pass this important legislation before...

Accessories, ITEM Coalition, Legislation, Manual Wheelchair


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Vendors

Q&A: Sandra Canally: You may be accredited, but are you exemplary?

November 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor

ATLANTA - Much like HME providers, The Compliance Team has had to reinvent itself over the years. The Spring House, Pa.-based accrediting organization, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has diversified into different post-acute care markets and launched additional products, including the new Exemplary Provider designation for Patient-Centered Respiratory Home, and in the process grown to 35 employees. Here's what Sandra Canally, the only woman to own an accrediting organization, had...

Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Also Noted

Short takes: Medtrade, BOC

November 30, 2018HME News Staff

On Dec. 3, SmartSaver Conference Passes will be available for Medtrade Spring, April 16-18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The passes are $99 and allow full access to educational sessions and the expo hall. SmartSaver Expo Passes are $25 and allow full access to the expo hall. “For those who already know they are going to Medtrade Spring, these are the rates to grab,” said Sarah Varner, marketing director. “The conference pass offers a $100 savings over Early...

Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), Medtrade


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Editorial

Friendly reminder to Congress, CMS

November 30, 2018Letter to the Editor

In our beautiful, small and mostly rural (except by CMS standards) state of West Virginia, we periodically endure floods, snowstorms and high winds resulting in power outages. Thankfully, West Virginia did not receive the bad weather that at one point was forecasted during Hurricane Florence, but our colleagues in the Carolinas did and they are still suffering from the storm.I think it is important during times like these to remind our friends in Congress and at CMS of the important role local home...

Regina Gillispie, West Virginia


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Editorial

What's the secret weapon in sleep therapy?

November 30, 2018Guest Commentary

While we can all appreciate the importance of getting a good night's sleep, we know there are millions of people who need assistance catching some “ZZZs.” Age, obesity and a greater public awareness of the importance of sleep has led to a steadily growing number of Americans who are tested and treated for sleep apnea.In fact, a recent studyconvened by ResMed found that sleep apnea affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide. With so many people affected, treatment is moving out of the specialized...

Brightree, Resupply, Sleep Therapy


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Mobility

U.S. Rehab releases FMA data

November 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor

WATERLOO, Iowa - The best equipment provided by the best professionals results in the best care, according to the latest quality assurance data from U.S. Rehab members participating in its Functional Mobility Assessment tool.Almost 76% percent of patients report that they haven't fallen after receiving new equipment, compared to 48% who report they haven't fallen with their existing equipment, the FMA tool shows.“It shows that falls are affected dramatically by the right equipment,” said...

Greg Packer, Mobility, U.S. Rehab


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Mobility

Reliable Medical Supply positions for growth

November 30, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. - Reliable Medical Supply has grown organically to four locations in Minnesota, but with an outside investor now on board, it has set its sights on expanding through acquisition into new geographical markets.The first area of focus for the company, whose top product categories are complex rehab and vents: buying another company that will allow it to better serve patients in western Wisconsin.“There are patient access issues out there,” said Debra Kalk, president...

Reliable Medical Supply, Seven Hills Capital, Vertess


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Business Development

Technology reshapes incontinence, skin, wound care

November 30, 2018John Andrews

Technology may not be the first word that springs to mind in reference to the incontinence, skin and wound care market, but perhaps its time that it took front and center. Innovations in connected care and therapeutic materials are becoming prominent in the category and offer viable applications for HME providers.One option for the incontinence segment just launched in September: the DFree portable bladder monitor from San Diego-based Triple W. The wearable product detects bladder volume levels and...

Cure Medical, Incontinence, Limbkeepers, skin care, Triple W, Wound Care


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon