Tag: Amazon
HME vs. Amazon: Providers help out—for a fee
November 9, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - HME providers have always held the competitive edge over online stores when it comes to service, they say. But now, that service may come with a price tag.Provider Josh Eckstein recently assembled a mobility scooter that had been bought online and shipped in pieces.“I told him it would be a $150 charge,” said Eckstein, vice president of Complete Home Care in Buffalo, N.Y., “and it would have been cheaper had he bought it from me.”The customer paid up.It's...
In brief: Arcadia, Amazon launch Choice; Apria goes nat'l with Medela
November 2, 2018HME News Staff
SEATTLE - Arcadia Group has launched an Amazon-exclusive brand of consumer-use medical devices for diabetes and hypertension management.The Choice brand will start with a range of blood glucose and blood pressure monitors, both with supporting mobile apps offering tracking, data mobility and reminders.“The Choice brand is all about accessible wellness,” said Bob Guest, CEO of Arcadia Group. “Consumers no longer need to drive to a store to stand in line and purchase their medical...
Arcadia, Amazon launch Choice
October 30, 2018HME News Staff
SEATTLE - Arcadia Group has launched an Amazon-exclusive brand of consumer-use medical devices for diabetes and hypertension management.The Choice brand will start with a range of blood glucose and blood pressure monitors, both with supporting mobile apps offering tracking, data mobility and reminders.“The Choice brand is all about accessible wellness,” said Bob Guest, CEO of Arcadia Group. “Consumers no longer need to drive to a store to stand in line and purchase their medical...
Amazon eyes medical supplies pilot
July 18, 2018HME News Staff
SEATTLE - Amazon is reportedly looking to create a pilot program with Xealth and at least two hospital networks that would allow doctors to recommend bundles of medical supplies and have them delivered to patients' home upon discharge, according to an article on cnbc.com. The pilot is still under review, but it is expected to start in a matter of months. It would provide patients easy access to supplies they need via Amazon Prime, although those without Prime membership will have access via other...
In brief: Amazon wants to disrupt health care, VGM helps protect sleep contract
March 30, 2018HME News Staff
BOSTON - DME is one of five possible points of entry for Amazon to dominate the healthcare market, according to a new report from global management consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting.“Anyone who thinks of Amazon as just a very big digital retailer needs to think again,” says Rob Haslehurst, managing director at L.E.K and report co-author. “They have repeatedly shown that they have the capabilities, the patience and the deep pockets to disrupt industry after industry. Health care...
Amazon wants to disrupt health care, including DME, report says
March 27, 2018HME News Staff
BOSTON - DME is one of five possible points of entry for Amazon to dominate the healthcare market, according to a new report from global management consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting.“Anyone who thinks of Amazon as just a very big digital retailer needs to think again,” says Rob Haslehurst, managing director at L.E.K and report co-author. “They have repeatedly shown that they have the capabilities, the patience and the deep pockets to disrupt industry after industry. Health care...
Amazon wants to disrupt health care, including DME, report says
March 27, 2018HME News Staff
BOSTON - DME is one of five possible points of entry for Amazon to enter and dominate the healthcare market, according to a new report from global management consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting.“Anyone who thinks of Amazon as just a very big digital retailer needs to think again,” says Rob Haslehurst, managing director at L.E.K and report co-author. “They have repeatedly shown that they have the capabilities, the patience and the deep pockets to disrupt industry after industry. Health...
AAH investigates illegal online sales
January 12, 2018Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - The sale of medical devices over the Internet without a required prescription is nothing new, but with the possibility of Amazon getting into the HME market in a bigger way, stakeholders say the industry needs to take a harder line against them.The issue reared its head recently, when providers in North Dakota were able to obtain CPAP devices though third-party sellers without a prescription. Such sales typically violate state and federal laws, as well as Amazon's own rules.“We...
Enter Amazon? Negative impact would be felt far and wide, say poll respondents
December 29, 2017Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine - Unsurprisingly, a large majority of providers fear the “Amazon effect” on the DME market, according to the results of a recent HME Newspoll.While Amazon already offers basic DME, the retail giant has reportedly applied for wholesale distribution licenses in more than a dozen states for “durable medical equipment distribution, medical gas distribution, or both,” according to multiple news reports. “I don't like things such as oxygen being offered...
AAHomecare seeks to curb illegal online sales
December 14, 2017HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare is working with outside counsel on a strategy to curb illegal online sales of durable medical equipment, after learning that third-party sellers in North Dakota sold CPAP devices through Amazon without prescriptions. Such sales typically violate state and federal laws, as well as Amazon's own rules, the association stated in its “Wednesday in Washington” weekly bulletin. AAHomecare plans to reach out directly to the sellers and to regulators to ask them to ensure...