Archive: June 2023
O&P stakeholders push revamped bill
June 30, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – O&P stakeholders say a new bill would not only curb fraud and abuse and improve patient care but also eliminate a five-year default timeline for when Medicare beneficiaries can get replacement devices.
The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act (H.R. 4315), which was re-introduced June 23, includes a new provision that would ensure beneficiaries can access replacement custom-fitted and custom-fabricated orthoses when a change in their condition or...
NCART to Medicaid: ‘We can’t continue down this road’
June 30, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – NCART has officially put state Medicaid programs on notice that they should be following Medicare’s lead in implementing a reimbursement increase for complex rehab products and services.
NCART in June sent letters to state Medicaid programs, asking them to increase their reimbursement and to work with the organization and other stakeholders to develop policies that best serve people with disabilities.
“We’re putting a lot of focus on reimbursement...
BritKare fills ‘need for better care’
June 30, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
AMARILLO, Texas – BritKare Home Medical has expanded into the “overlooked” hospice market with its recent acquisition of Valmed Home Health & Pharmacy Solutions, says Josh Britten.
“We believe it’s a market that’s been overlooked in recent years,” said Britten, CEO of BritKare. "We think there is definitely a need for better care at the end of life and we would like to be a provider for our community and help these people in any way possible.”
An...
John Quinlan: ‘It’s important they know what we do’
June 30, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WAYLAND, N.Y. – John Quinlan, president of the Northeast Medical Equipment Providers Association, has been named chairman of AAHomecare’s State Leaders Council, giving him a larger platform to advocate for an industry he’s been passionate about since he was a young boy delivering prescriptions on bicycle for his father’s pharmacy.
“It's been very much a passion for me to take care of (association) members, make sure we're fairly reimbursed and let everyone...
In brief: Medline’s new leadership, AAH’s lobby day, women’s sleep quality
June 30, 2023HME News Staff
NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline CEO Charlie Mills, President Andy Mills and COO Jim Abrams plan to retire from their current roles after more than 26 years of leadership.
They will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors, with Charlie Mills leading as chairman and Andy Mills and Jim Abrams as vice chairmen.
Medline has promoted Jim Boyle to serve as its next CEO, and Jim Pigott as president & COO, effective Oct. 1, culminating a five-year succession planning...
AAH opens registration for Legislative Conference
June 30, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare will host the Washington Legislative Conference on Sept. 20 in a virtual format.
The association is partnering with Advocacy Associates to deliver a seamless virtual meeting platform that will schedule meetings, provide background on each of the legislators and allow HME leaders to connect directly with members of Congress and key legislative staffers.
“We need more HME advocates to answer the call this year to support new legislative initiatives...
California fraud watch: Guilty verdict in Redondo beach
June 29, 2023HME News Staff
LOS ANGELES – Tamara Yvonne Motley, 54, a.k.a. “Tamara Ogembe,” of Redondo Beach, Calif., was found guilty of nearly two dozen felonies for billing Medicare more than $24 million by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment – mostly power wheelchairs and repairs, many of which were never performed. She was found guilty by a federal jury of 20 counts of health care fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy...
ACI launches Safe Repair Project
June 29, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research (ACI), a nonprofit consumer education and research organization, has launched a new initiative to advocate for policy solutions to ensure patient safety in the right-to-repair movement. The movement seeks to allow consumers to buy parts directly from manufacturers and repair their own equipment. "Patient safety is non-negotiable," said Steve Pociask, president and CEO of the ACI. "When you think of the 'right to repair'...
Medline undergoes leadership transformation
June 29, 2023HME News Staff
NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline CEO Charlie Mills, President Andy Mills and COO Jim Abrams plan to retire from their current roles after more than 26 years of leadership.
They will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors, with Charlie Mills leading as chairman and Andy Mills and Jim Abrams as vice chairmen.
Medline has promoted Jim Boyle to serve as its next CEO, and Jim Pigott as president & COO, effective Oct. 1, culminating a five-year succession planning...
Medline sees ‘synergies’
June 28, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
NORTHFIELD, Ill. – With more higher acuity patients being taken care of in the home, Medline is making a push for its newly redesigned Remedy line of advanced skin care products to have a bigger presence in the HME market, says Paul Miller.
The company launched the redesigned line, which, historically, has had a bigger presence in facility settings, in early June.
“The Remedy line has been around for a long time and it’s a great product that a lot of patients use...