Archive: January 2021
At capacity: Pandemic exacerbates problems created by bid program
January 29, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – CMS’s competitive bidding program set the stage for a number of the difficulties that the HME industry is seeing as it tries to meet increased demand for oxygen therapy for COVID-19 patients, say the leaders of Apria Healthcare and Lincare and the Council of Quality Respiratory Care.
The agency may have dropped oxygen from Round 2021, its latest round of bidding, but 10 years since the program’s...
ResMed on POCs: ‘We don’t need (them)’
January 29, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SAN DIEGO – ResMed incurred a $13.9 million restructuring expense in the second quarter of its fiscal year 2021 as a result of closing its portable oxygen concentrator business.
The company stopped selling its Mobi POCs in November.
“Going forward, the cessation of the POC business will have an immaterial impact on both group revenue and earnings per share,” said Brett Sandercock, CFO, during a conference call on...
Quinlan’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment works to help slow pandemic
January 29, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WAYLAND, N.Y. – Provider John Quinlan has been working the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, both taking care of patients and advocating for vaccine access for his employees and the general public.
As both a home medical equipment provider and a pharmacy, he’s well positioned to do both.
“We’re working with hospitals and other providers to secure beds and concentrators – there’s a huge shortage...
New year, new focus on Avid Rehab for Merits
January 29, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Mike Laiman is the new president of Merits USA and all of its brands but his focus out of the gate will be Avid Rehab.
Laiman says Avid Rehab will improve the seating for its Vector and Velocity complex rehab power wheelchairs and launch new Group 3 wheelchairs in 2021, not to mention more components and accessories “that feed into that product line.”
“There will be a...
In brief: Screening calls, C-suite changes, scholarship
January 29, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS is having a subcontractor of the National Supplier Clearinghouse call supplier locations to make sure they’re open and available for inspection, according to AAHomecare.
Early in the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS waived the requirement that suppliers be open at a physical location a minimum of 30 hours per week (supplier standard No. 7). The waiver was lifted in July and CMS announced it would move forward with physical inspections. The agency assured...
ResMed posts ‘solid’ quarter
January 29, 2021HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO – ResMed reported revenues increased to $800 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2020, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2019.
Net income was $179.5 million vs. $160.6 million.
“Our second quarter results reflect continued solid performance and positive trends across our business, resulting in top-line growth,” said Mick Farrell, CEO. “In our core markets of sleep apnea, COPD and asthma, we are seeing continued sequential improvement...
Hanger Foundation creates scholarships to increase diversity
January 28, 2021HME News Staff
AUSTIN, Texas – The Hanger Foundation has created the Hanger Foundation Diversity Scholarship to attract more diverse candidates to O&P graduate programs. Hanger Inc., which launched the foundation in 2009, says it is committed to addressing racism and creating a more inclusive profession. “Research has shown that clinicians of color are underrepresented within the O&P industry,” said Gloria Gonzales Dholakia, PhD, executive director of the Hanger Foundation....
OptiPillows to be distributed in Canada
January 28, 2021HME News Staff
PHOENIX – OptiPillows EPAP Mask has signed an agreement with McArthur Medical to distribute its EPAP Mask in Canada. OptiPillows, which provides expiratory positive air pressure (EPAP) using a proprietary valve, nasal pillows and headgear to alleviate snoring, is a solution for those who don’t qualify under CPAP guidelines or who don’t tolerate CPAP therapy. “After 37 years as a Canadian medical distributor, McArthur has built their clientele...
CMS implements screening calls
January 27, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS is having a subcontractor of the National Supplier Clearinghouse call supplier locations to make sure they’re open and available for inspection, according to AAHomecare.
Early in the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS waived the requirement that suppliers be open at a physical location a minimum of 30 hours per week (supplier standard No. 7). The waiver was lifted in July and CMS announced it would move forward with physical...
NSM launches education for nurse case managers
January 27, 2021HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has developed a new NSM University course to educate nurse case managers about complex rehab technology and mobility products. The one-hour course, “Introduction to Complex Rehab Technology & Accessibility Products for Persons with Disabilities,” outlines the differences between standard DME and CRT equipment, and introduces various types of wheelchairs, seating systems and accessories. “Broadening the scope of understanding...