Tag: Catheters

PITTSBURGH – Philips Respironics is alerting users of certain CPAP or Bi-Level PAP therapy masks with magnetic headgear clips or straps that these devices should not be used by or near patients and their household members, caregivers and bed partners who have metallic implanted devices or metallic objects (such as metallic splinters) in the body.   The magnetic headgear clips are used to attach the headgear straps to the masks, a commonly used method in sleep therapy devices.  This...

WASHINGTON – Medicare payments for intermittent urinary catheters were 3.4 times supplier acquisition costs in fiscal year 2020, according to a new analysis by the Office of Inspector General.  In total, Medicare allowed $407 million in payments for these items, while suppliers paid approximately $121 million to acquire them.   Each of the three billing categories for intermittent urinary catheters (straight tip, curved tip, and sterile kit) showed large differences between...

OKLAHOMA CITY – 180 Medical was founded with the goal of providing top-notch service and education to its customers, says Mark Jassey, chief commercial officer.  This month, the national provider of catheters and ostomy supplies celebrates 20 years of doing just that.  “Education is one of our foundational pillars,” Jassey said. “We want to be able to provide the education and the choice when someone needs to use our products. It’s not something someone...

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – 180 Medical, a national supplier of catheters and ostomy supplies, celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.  The company was founded in 2002 by Todd Brown, who was paralyzed from the chest down in a motorcycle accident in 1994 and wanted to build a medical supply company that understood the needs of its customers.  “It’s an honor and a joy to continue Todd’s mission for this company when he founded it twenty years ago,” says...

WATERLOO, Iowa – For every $1 CMS invests in DME and supplies to prevent pressure sores, it will see a return of $38.54 in reduced or avoided treatment costs, according to an updated study from VGM Government Relations and Leitten Consulting.  DME and supplies to prevent pressure sores was one of three new categories included in the study. The others: catheters and related urological supplies, and diabetic test strips and monitors.  “As CMS forced prices down and treatment...

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Hollister has announced two significant new contracts. The company has been awarded an AscenDrive contract with Premier, a health care improvement company uniting an alliance of about 4,400 U.S. hospitals and health systems and more than 225,000 other providers and organizations. AscenDrive is a new program designed to drive commitment and savings for members through aggregated purchasing of high-quality products and services. The company has also been awarded a three-year...

YORK, Pa. – HR Pharmaceuticals has acquired Medical Technologies of Georgia, a manufacturer specializing in catheter products for paraplegics and those with limited dexterity. “The acquisition will enable HR to offer a wide range of urology products and increase patient access to MTG’s innovative brand of adult and pediatric catheters,” said Colby Wiesman, president and CEO of HR. Once integraed, HR says it will be the only independent catheter manufacturer remaining in the...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Medical supplies are being delayed 37 days due to ongoing supply chain problems, according to research by the Health Industry Distributors Association.  These delays are impacting 8,000-12,000 containers of supplies throughout the U.S. transportation system, the association says.  “HIDA recommends a fast-pass system to prioritize essential medical supplies through ports, onto rail and truck for expedited delivery to the front lines of health care,”...

WASHINGTON D.C. – AAHomecare and other stakeholders have developed a white paper to educate payers and state Medicaid programs on the importance of access to intermittent catheter products and services.   The paper addresses the variables going into managing each person’s urinary retention needs, the role of the HME provider, the risks of improper management, the challenges of limited HCPCs codes for a variety of products, and the value of managing urinary needs with sustainable...

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare is considering engaging Dobson DaVanzo & Associates to conduct a study to assess the direct and indirect costs of providing intermittent catheters (A4351, A4352, A4353), but it needs to ensure there are enough suppliers willing to participate. Earlier this year, the Office of Inspector General said it was working on a report regarding acquisition costs for urinary supplies compared to Medicare fee-for-service allowables. The agency’s intent is to provide information...