Archive: March 2024
Top execs ‘control’ what they can
March 29, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
DALLAS – A panel of top execs shared how they’re navigating the “chaos” in the HME industry right now, including the staffing shortages, Change Healthcare cyberattack, and Philips Respironics recall and exit, during the AAHomecare Update at Medtrade on March 27.
Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare, led John Cassar of SuperCare Health, Josh Marx of Medical Service Company, Ryan Bullock of Aeroflow and David Siegel of Nationwide Medical – all part of the...
Aeroflow builds ‘roadmap to success’
March 29, 2024Theresa Flaherty
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Health has undergone a “revolution” over the past 20 years, most recently with a rebrand that’s part of the company’s strategic plan to evolve with health care, says Ryan Bullock, who was recently named chief strategy officer.
Aeroflow launched in 2001 as a traditional HME provider offering home oxygen and other durable medical equipment, but these days it offers products through four divisions: Breast Pumps, Urology, Sleep and Diabetes.
“The...
VGMA taps into state issues
March 29, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates played host to the leaders of nine state and regional association leaders in February to provide them with a venue to share their struggles, including Medicaid managed care and member recruitment, and see where it can help.
The annual State Leaders Summit was attended by leaders from the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association (HOMES), the Texas Medical Equipment Providers Association (TexMEP), the Association for Tennessee Home Oxygen & Medical...
HME News in 10: Roxanne Venard on lessons from the trenches
March 29, 2024Theresa Flaherty
YARMOUTH, Maine – From the COVID-19 pandemic to supply chain challenges, through two recalls and now the exit of a leading manufacturer in the home ventilator market, Roxanne Venard has been in the trenches running a business and taking care of patients.
“We had new products that we had to try to check out, and then the frustration of not being able to get devices and supplies,” said Venard, a registered respiratory therapist and president of Ascent Respiratory Care...
In brief: Medtrade’s attendance, CCS’s CVS Health hire
March 29, 2024HME News Staff
DALLAS – Medtrade officials say attendance at the industry’s annual trade show increased 25% this year compared to last year. “This year’s Medtrade attracted more than 2,300 qualified attendees,” said Kerry Tyler, associate show director. The show drew attendees from every state except Rhode Island and from 35 countries, officials say. As part of the New Product Awards sponsored by HomeCare Media at Medtrade, attendees selected Jover Walker Cover by Jover for Providers’...
‘There’s a distinct buzz’ at Medtrade
March 27, 2024Theresa Flaherty
DALLAS – They come for education, products and networking, but Associate Show Director Kerry Tyler hopes attendees also take home a big dose of inspiration from this year’s Medtrade.
“There’s a distinct buzz that you can hear and feel,” she said. “Educational sessions were packed on day one and the opening of the show floor on day two has taken it to another level. You don’t get inspiration by staying at home.”
At this...
Panelists underscore true potential of AI
March 27, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
DALLAS – HME providers can cut through the buzz around AI by focusing on how the technology can increase their efficiency, a panel of experts told Medtrade attendees on Wednesday.
“It’s not that AI is the silver bullet that solves our problems, or the devil,” said Gary Sheehan, founder and managing director of Scorton Creek Capital, who moderated the panel titled, “AI in health care: Actual clinical, workflow and automation applications working today.”...
Managed care: Don’t give into ‘extortion’
March 27, 2024Theresa Flaherty
DALLAS – Managed care plans have gotten a lot more active in auditing and, unfortunately, for providers they often operate under their own playbook, Wayne van Halem told Medtrade attendees on Tuesday.
One thing, in particular, that he’s seeing: an increase in extrapolated overpayments, which are supposed to be appealable, but the plans don’t seem to understand that, he said.
“What they’re doing is extortion: Pay this (extrapolated overpayment) or we’re...
Value-based care: Change mindset, broaden data set
March 27, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
DALLAS – HME providers who don’t know where to start with value-based care just need to jump in, Amanda Yavorsky and Karen Lerner told Medtrade attendees on Tuesday.
Yavorsky, senior manager for advocacy and strategic partnerships, HME division, for McKesson Medical-Surgical and Lerner, clinical vice president for Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, provided attendees of their session, “What providers need to know about selling outcomes to the medical community,” with a checklist...
Hot topic: Get ready for self-service
March 27, 2024Tracy Orzel
DALLAS - The trend of self-service, a norm in acute care, is already here and on your side, says Medtrade speaker Jaimi Panini.
HME News spoke to Panini, Brightree’s vice president of product and digital experience, about how to decide which tasks to offload and how to make it a success.
HME News: What tasks can health care providers transfer to patients?
Jaimi Panini: The top one is scheduling. Providers reach out over the phone, sometimes five or six times without...