Archive: May 2018

IRVINE, Calif. - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare reported operating revenue grew 10% to a record NZD 980.8 million, or 9% in constant currency terms, for fiscal year 2018. Split up, that's 13% constant currency growth in the company's hospital product group and 4% growth in its homecare product group. F&P reported that its operating profit grew 12% to NZD 269.8 million and its net profit after tax few 12% to NZD 190.2 million in FY 2018 vs. 2017. In the homecare product group, OSA mask constant currency...

ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Diabetes Association on May 24 released a public policy statement outlining both long- and short-term recommendations for improving insulin access and affordability. The recommendations in “ADA Public Policy Statement: Insulin Access and Affordability” include increasing transparency across the entire insulin supply chain; streamlining the approval process for biosimilar insulins; lowering or removing patient cost-sharing for insulin; and increasing...

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. - Option Care, a provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion therapy services, recognizes 19 of its nurses for passing the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) examination this spring. The bi-annual exam, facilitated through the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation, is the only accredited and nationally recognized certification for infusion nursing. Option Care says its newly certified clinicians make up nearly 20% of the total number of clinicians to receive...

WASHINGTON - Two government agencies have widely differing estimates on a proposal to expand and reform Medicare's competitive bidding program, according to Inside Health Policy.The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposal, included in the president's fiscal 2019 budget, would cost $1.3 billion over 10 years; The Department of Health and Human Services says it would save $6.5 billion over the same time period, according to the D.C. news service.Under the proposal, CMS would expand...

WASHINGTON - The Council on Quality Respiratory Care criticized a recent report from the Office of Inspector General, saying it underestimates the negative impact of the competitive bidding program on access for oxygen patients. The CQRC states that the “limitations in the report's methodology signal significant flaws in the OIG's conclusions.” It points out that the OIG, itself, acknowledges that continued Medicare payment “is not a direct measure of continued access to oxygen...

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group and HME News have partnered to administer one HME Financial Benchmarking Survey, rather than two separate surveys. The two entities say the move will mean an increase in responses and more consistent data. “We're excited to work with our friends at VGM on this project,” said Rick Rector, publisher of HME News. “We look forward to increased participation and can't wait to dig into the data and share it with the respondents, as well as HME Business Summit...

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Keene Medical Products will remain an in-network provider with The Department Vermont Health Access, which oversees the state's Medicaid program, according to an article in Vermont Business Magazine. The provider in April had said it would withdraw effective June 1 in response to changes in Medicaid reimbursement rates. DVHA has been in communication with HOMES to address concerns and continues to make adjustments to the new fee schedule. Keene Medical and DVHA will collaborate...

A. The era of competitive bidding has caused 40% of HME businesses to close or merge over the past decade. Sometimes a sale or merger is the only option for a business owner to scale for survival and realize a return on a lifetime of work.While the thought to just deny may come to mind, a business owner will find many benefits to being forthright, professional and candid in directly answering an employee's inquiry.One sincere answer is: “We are always looking at our strategic options...

A. Did you know that 60% of the amount owed by patients is never collected, and that 30% of patients have a past due balance of 60 or more days?Even if you are collecting initial copays up front, HME providers are quickly realizing the value of having a card on file for future payments is more of a necessity than it has ever been. What's astonishing is the rate in which automated payments is growing—111% year over year—and that number will certainly continue to rise.Failure to create...

A. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. Here are some basic first steps to get you moving in the right direction.To start building clinical online learning, you'll need a learning management system. An LMS is an application that houses and delivers courses to your learners, as well as reports and tracks their learning. There are many LMS applications to choose from. The LMS that's right for your organization depends on many factors, including what kind of tracking and reporting you...