In brief: Report examines online sales, PECOS open to providers

NEW YORK - Internet-based dealers now account for 10%--more than $6 billion--of respiratory equipment sales, according to a new report from Kalorama Information. The report, "Market for Respiratory Equipment and Disposables, 4th Edition," says products sold through the Internet are typically priced 25% to 30% lower and, as a result, it suggests that manufacturers are likely to respond with "high-value" products or product priced for discount sales channels. The report cites Respironics is an example of a company that has offered multiple products at different price points for different levels of distribution. The report is available at http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=79699&productid=2663595.



AAH adjusts dues

ARLINGTON, Va. - AAHomecare is giving its provider members a break on membership dues in 2011, it announced last week. The association has rolled back dues for providers with revenues between $600,000 and $1 million from $1,050 to $995 per year. AAHomecare has also decided to freeze dues for providers with revenues of $1 million or more. Additionally, to make joining the association more affordable for smaller providers, AAHomecare has created a new $600 membership level for providers with $600,000 or less in revenues.



CMS to DME providers: Use PECOS

BALTIMORE - CMS alerted DME providers in a bulletin last week that they can now use PECOS to enroll, make a change in their records, view information and check on the status of their enrollment. Before using PECOS, providers should review a getting-started guide at http://www.cms.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/04_InternetbasedPECOS.asp. They should also obtain and designate a unique NPI for each business/practice location; and enter their legal business name as it is shown on IRS document. For more information, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.



CAMPS and MED team up

LUBBOCK, Texas -The California Association of Medical Product Suppliers (CAMPS) and The MED Group/MED University have teamed up to bring MED University education to CAMPS members. MED University includes more than 130 courses. Most are approved for IACET CEUs or AARC CRCEs to fulfill industry, association and professional on-going educational requirements. MED University allows students to complete coursework and testing online and is available 24 hours a day via the Internet.



Sunset, MED shake hands

CHICAGO - Sunset Healthcare Solutions has partnered with The MED Group in its new sleep program. Through a preferred vendor agreement, Sunset Healthcare Solutions will offer its line of CPAP and oxygen disposables including filters, tubing, chin straps, headgear and masks, as well as flexible packaging and labeling options, customer support and drop-shipping, to MED members. Sunset Healthcare Solutions also plans to donate a portion of all sales of CPAP tubes during November and December to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.



Invacare sponsors bike trip

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare is once again sponsoring a bicycle expedition to raise awareness for COPD. Cyclist Mark Junge set out Oct. 8 from Charleston, S.C., with Invacare's XP02 and SOLO2 portable oxygen concentrators. Junge suffers from blood clots in his lungs, which cause him to be oxygen-dependent. His 792-mile trip will end in Key West, Fla., in mid-November. This is Junge's sixth such bike trip and Invacare's second time sponsoring it.



Medtrade sells out booth space

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Exhibit space at Medtrade 2010 has sold out, said Nielson Expositions in a release last week. The show, which takes place Nov. 15 to 18 at the Georgia World Congress Center, will feature 550 exhibitors in a space estimated at 10,000 square feet larger than the 2009 show. Starting Oct. 11, the cost to attend the Expo increases to $50 and the cost to attend the educational conference, which includes admission to the exhibit hall, increases to $199. A full description of Medtrade and the conference program is available at medtrade.com http://www.medtrade.com.