In brief: Medtrade embraces 'any qualified speaker'

ATLANTA, Ga. - Reports that Medtrade intends to limit show speakers next year to exhibitors and AAHomecare members are not true, said Show Director Kevin Gaffney. Nielsen Business Media, owner and producer of Medtrade and Medtrade Spring, issued a clarification regarding its policy for educational conference speakers last week. "The goals of the educational conferences--both Medtrade and Medtrade Spring--are to provide the HME industry with the information and resources it needs to increase business and improve the lives of those it serves," Gaffney said. "To achieve that, the Educational Advisory Board welcomes submissions of session topics that are timely and appropriate from any qualified speaker."



Apria feeling "Blue"

LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Apria inked a "preferred provider" agreement with Blue Shield of California, the companies announced Oct. 14. Under the agreement, Apria will provide oxygen, respiratory, and HME services and products to Blue Shield members throughout California. The agreement covers members enrolled in Blue Shield's commercial and Medicare Advantage programs. The companies plan to transition members over the next few months. Apria has 49 locations and more than 2,300 employees in California. Blue Shield of California has 3.4 million members and $9 billion in annual revenues.



Providers invited to weigh in on CPAP

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - AAHomecare is surveying providers on patient compliance with the revised CPAP documentation guidelines. The survey seeks to highlight concerns with the policy, which requires physician evaluation for continued CPAP therapy beyond the first three months. Information collected from the survey will be used in a letter to the DME MAC medical directors. The survey deadline is Oct. 28. To take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nos0xTYXHc59E2GljrAw5g_3d_3d.



Invacare 'inspires oxygen users to live active lives'

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare is sponsoring a bicycle expedition to raise awareness of COPD and "inspire oxygen users to live active lives," it announced last week. Bicyclist Mark Junge will use Invacare's XPO2 portable oxygen concentrator on his 816-mile trip, which began in New York City on Oct. 15 and ends in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 2. Junge, a retired historian, writer and photographer from Cheyenne, Wyo., suffers blood clots in his lungs, which requires him to use supplemental oxygen daily. This is his fifth bike trip to raise awareness of COPD.



Mabis cuts providers a break

WAUKEGAN, Ill. - Mabis DMI Healthcare announced last week that it has reduced its pre-paid freight order minimum for all DME dealers to $300. Previously, the minimum was $750. Platinum members of the manufacturer's new Dealer Advantage Program have an even lower minimum: $100. Mabis produces and distributes more than 10,000 products, including durable and disposable medical supplies.



Brightree prefers AirVersent

DULUTH, Ga. - Brightree has selected AirVersent's 20/20 delivery mobile supply chain software as its "preferred electronic point-of-delivery solution," the two companies announced last week. Per the agreement, Brightree will market the software across its entire customer base: more than 1,000 HME, O&P and sleep companies.