Tag: COVID-19

FRISCO, Texas – Soleo Health has been selected by Houston Methodist to provide monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) to COVID-19 patients in their homes. The hospital system is among the nation’s largest providers of mAb therapy and has a partnership with the U.S. Department of Human Services, supported by KPMG LLP, to expand access to the treatment to underserved and disadvantaged patients in the greater Houston area. “By teaming up with Houston Methodist to help patients receive therapy...

YARMOUTH, Maine – Although shortages of respiratory equipment continue to make headlines, driven by a widespread recall on certain CPAP devices and noninvasive ventilators and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, providers say they are seeing massive delays in getting equipment across the board.  “Manual wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, scooters – it’s a battle to find pretty much everything,” said Craig Rae, owner of Penrod Medical Equipment in Salisbury, N.C. “A...

WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are speeding up the drum beat on the impact of changed cost structures and supply chain issues on HME providers, says Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare.  “We need providers to reach out to their members and talk about how they’ve shined throughout the pandemic – the role they’ve played – and yet continue to take reimbursement rates from five years ago,” he said. “It’s an easy story to tell, and...

YARMOUTH, Maine – There are signs the tide may be turning on e-prescribing, according to an HME Newspoll.  About 32% of respondents to the poll say they’re using e-prescribing compared to only 17% in a past poll in early 2020. Additionally, 55% of respondents to the new poll say they plan to adopt e-prescribing within the next year.  “e-prescribing ensures complete, accurate documentation on the first pass, promoting efficiency for the DME and the referral,”...

YARMOUTH, Maine - The demand for medical gloves has surged as much as 200% since the start of the public health emergency, creating shortages across the health care system and driving up costs for HME providers, say stakeholders.   “The need for gloves and personal protective equipment has greatly increased, so there’s just not enough supply to keep up,” said Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for AAHomecare, which recently convened a Glove Workgroup to address...

ATLANTA – Show organizers will require masks at Medtrade East, Oct. 18-20, at the Georgia World Congress Center. In an update to the Medtrade East website, they also note that Atlanta is under a mask mandate. “Medtrade East is excited to welcome our attendees and exhibitors back to forge new relationships and celebrate old ones,” show organizers say on the website. “Our team is committed to creating an event experience where our customers, partners and employees can safely...

YARMOUTH, Maine – Price increases and freight surcharges have HME providers feeling “squeezed” – and in some cases, looking for other sources of equipment, they say.  “Manufacturers going up on price is a huge burden,” said Kimberly Lynn, operations manager for Carolina Apothecary in Reidsville, N.C. “Reimbursement is not going up, so we’re going to be changing some of our standard products to find one that fits the reimbursement.”   A...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association says it support President Biden’s “Path out of the Pandemic” plan, which includes authorization for pharmacists to order and administer select COVID-19 therapeutics, including monoclonal antibody therapy, and expands testing to 10,000 additional pharmacies. “As the president made clear, this fight isn’t over,” said B. Douglas Hoey, CEO. “We’re at a critical point and bold action...

WASHINGTON – Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with COVID-19 experienced a wide range of complex conditions, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General. Almost half were treated for acute kidney failure or acute circulatory issues; nearly two-thirds treated for endocrine, nutritional or metabolic issues; and one-third for sepsis. The findings were part of the OIG’s examination of hospitalizations during surges in six localities. More than 50% of Medicare beneficiaries...

In keeping with the ongoing challenges caused by COVID-19 and its variants, the Medtrade East Education Advisory Board has included several seminars that deal with the virus-related issues providers are facing for the Oct. 18-20 educational sessions at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  “Several of the programs we selected deal directly with COVID,” said EAB member Jeff Baird. “Other programs we selected focus on what we believe the key issues will be for suppliers...