Tag: COVID-19

WASHINGTON – The DME MACs are moving forward with audits for claims filed after March 2020, when COVID-19 hit the U.S. and certain waivers went into effect, but audit experts don’t anticipate any widespread problems.  Early in the pandemic, CMS temporarily waived several requirements, including coverage criteria, face-to-face requirements and delivery signatures for respiratory equipment.   “The MACs have been easing into audits since last August, even though...

PHOENIX – One of the biggest questions HME leaders may have as they step back out into the post-pandemic landscape is, “Now what?”  It’s a fair question for sure, and HME consultants like Miriam Lieber will be addressing it during Medtrade West in Phoenix, July 12-13. Lieber’s session focuses on “Best Practices in a COVID World – A Reality Check,” designed to help HME providers navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead.  “COVID...

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) seeks comments on an interim final rule, the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), that has been posted to the Federal Register website.   The ETS stems from an executive order signed by President Biden in January 2021 to protect worker health and safety. It directed OSHA to take action to reduce the risk for workers of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace.  The ETS contains several requirements that...

WASHINGTON – AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whittaker has asked President Biden to make the transport of medical supplies and equipment a “top priority” during the current logistics and transport crisis.  “While we appreciate that multiple industries are affected by these disruptions, we believe the implications for the health care system and patient care are imperative as we head into the fall, which brings with it flu season and uncertainty around COVID-19 variants...

SAN DIEGO – People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea were associated with a higher rate of COVID-19 infection than those who received PAP treatment, according to a poster presented by ResMed and Kaiser Permanente during SLEEP 2021, which was held virtually June 10-13.  The data showed a dose-response association of OSA severity on infection rate: Patients with untreated mild OSA had a COVID-19 infection rate of 2%, while patients with severe untreated OSA had a COVID-19 infection...

WASHINGTON – The payer relations team at AAHomecare is working with its association partners to craft a letter asking state governments to include HME in their allocation of millions of dollars in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion act, also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, in March, providing, among other things, $195.3 billion to states and the District of Columbia to help them cover increased expenditures, replenish lost...

AMARILLO, Texas – Employers that are calling on employees to return to the office need to navigate a number of “sticky subjects,” including whether they can require them to get vaccinated and wear masks. Allison Davis, a shareholder and employment law attorney at Brown & Fortunato, answers those questions and emphasizes why it’s important to stay up to date on changing guidelines.  HME News: Can employers require that employees get vaccinated?  Allison Davis:...

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Gavin Dhanoi was a registered nurse for six years before becoming a mobility and seating consultant for HME in British Columbia, so when the pandemic hit, Dhanoi put his scrubs back on and volunteered to help out. “There’s no other time than now, where we have seen a shortage of nurses and hospital staff,” said Dhanoi. “Knowing that I have the education and background that I do, it didn’t feel right to not step in and give my time...

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Fisher & Paykel Healthcare reported operating revenue of $1.97 billion for the full year ended March 31, 2021, an increase of 56% over the previous year or 61% in constant currency.  The company reported net profit after tax was $524 million, an increase of 82% or 94% in constant currency.  “The unprecedented result was driven by our Hospital product group, which includes Optiflow and Airvo systems used to deliver nasal...

YARMOUTH, Maine – HME’s stock has risen in the larger health care ecosystem, as more and more care has been pushed into the home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, say respondents to a recent HME Newspoll. It’s a huge improvement over the old perception of HME providers as equipment jockeys, say the more than half of respondents (56%) who report the pandemic has caused patients, referral sources and policymakers to view HME more favorably. “We have been viewed more as...