Blog
Stakeholders tee up survey results, congressional letter for August recess
July 26, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Despite the “chaotic” environment in Washington, D.C., right now, Congress has work it must do before the end of the year and industry stakeholders remain laser focused on getting an extension of the 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate included in some way.
President Biden on July 21 announced he was stepping down and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to run for the Democratic nomination.
“I think the White House will proceed as normal,...
Too big not to fail: NCPA seeks relief from Change Healthcare
July 26, 2024Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Providers need to be compensated for losses incurred as the result of massive cyberattack earlier this year, the National Community Pharmacists Association argues in a new lawsuit.
The association, along with dozens of providers from multiple states, filed a class action lawsuit July 19 against UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries Change Healthcare and Optum.
“Our members suffered a lot of damages both in personnel time and direct financial...
'We need to be the answer,’ says Dan Bunting
July 26, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Dan Bunting has worked with more than 130 business owners in his career, something that’s “super valuable” as he seeks to help the VGM Group develop long-term strategies to promote and support its customers and the HME industry.
Bunting, who was recently named strategic advisor at VGM, spent a good chunk of his career working alongside Steve Griggs at Aerocare as it rolled up companies prior to its sale to AdaptHealth.
“All of those...
SuperHandy Cares recharges mobility market
July 26, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ONTARIO, Calif. – SuperHandy, a Shanghai-based company with an office here, has applied its niche in the outdoor and industrial market for well-built and cost-effective equipment to the mobility market and launched in the U.S.
SuperHandy Cares, which offers scooters, wheelchairs and floor transfer lifts, was a first-time exhibitor at Medtrade in March.
“They also applied their Li-Ion battery technology to mobility products, making them light and portable, not just for...
In brief: Survey says, Dynamic Infusion buys, United Spinal challenges
July 26, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The expired 75/25 Medicare blended reimbursement rates in non-bid, non-rural areas are affecting business operations and the ability to serve patients and communities, according to a national survey from AAHomecare.
The association is still analyzing survey results, but it shared some of the open-ended responses in a recent bulletin:
Reimbursements are so low now that it is hard to keep up with expenses and payroll. We may have to close. Medicare Advantage...
United Spinal relaunches Corporate Challenge
July 25, 2024HME News Staff
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has relaunched its Corporate Challenge, a program aimed at encouraging companies to seek allyship with the disability community and to support disability inclusion. The relaunch, featuring a new look and new content, coincides with the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Pride Month. “The Corporate Challenge is a call to action to the business community to raise awareness about the importance of disability inclusion,”...
Florida Medicaid announces additional contracts
July 25, 2024HME News Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration has announced additional statewide Medicaid managed care contracts for five companies following appeals of the original awards in April, AAHomecare reports.
The full scope of awards now includes:
Aetna Better Health of Florida* – Regions D, E, I
Florida Community Care* – Statewide
Humana Medical Plan – Statewide
Molina...
Survey: ‘This is putting us in the red’
July 25, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The expired 75/25 Medicare blended reimbursement rates in non-bid, non-rural areas is affecting business operations and the ability to serve patients and communities, according to a national survey from AAHomecare.
The association is still analyzing survey results, but it shared some of the open-ended responses in a recent bulletin:
Reimbursements are so low now that it is hard to keep up with expenses and payroll. We may have to close. Medicare Advantage...
NCPA renews call for PBM reform after latest hearing
July 24, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association in a statement criticized pharmacy benefit managers who appeared at a hearing held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform yesterday. Testifying at the hearing were executives Adam Kautzner, PharmD, president, Evernorth Care Management and Express Scripts; David Joyner, executive vice president, CVS Health, and president, CVS Caremark; and Patrick Conway, MD, CEO, OptumRx. “Among members of the Oversight Committee,...
Women’s health boutique manager charged with fraud
July 24, 2024HME News Staff
CHICAGO — The office manager for a suburban Chicago medical equipment boutique has been indicted on federal health care fraud charges for allegedly billing private insurers for products that were never provided, including breast prostheses, compression garments and wigs for cancer survivors. Judy Strzelecki, who worked at A Woman’s Place in Downer’s Grove, Ill., is accused of submitting fraudulent claims from 2015 to 2020 to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and other health...