Tag: first-month purchase option
It's no fun being a power wheelchair provider these days
February 25, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
It's no fun being a standard power wheelchair provider these days. As if competitive bidding and the elimination of the first-month purchase option weren't wreaking enough havoc on cash flows and bottom lines, now there's this: Providers in three states report that a "bug" in CMS's system is preventing them from getting paid at all.
Here's a shortened bulletin from AMEPA that went out this morning:
"Bugs" in system cause denials for contracted Power Wheelchair providers
Contracted Power Wheelchair...
What put an end to Fuller Rehab?
February 4, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Ringgold, Ga.-based Fuller Rehab has closed its doors and a bank has seized its assets, according to a story published today in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Here are the details, according to the newspaper:
Fuller Rehab was in business for 21 years. It had seven locations in four states and employed 82.
It announced to employees last Friday (Jan. 28) that it would be closing that day.
It secured jobs for 50 of its 82 employees with a consulting company that it had hired.
The last...
One no-show, negative business pressures and Knights in Shining Armor
January 3, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Take a gander at the five most read Rehab stories from www.hmenews.com for 2010:
• “The Scooter Store pursues life outside of power mobility” (2,179 hits)
• “Power wheelchair providers fight denials tooth and nail” (1,616)
• “The Scooter Store: Coming to a town near you” (1,550)
• “First-month purchase option: Vendors prepare to ease burden (1,429)
• “Rehab providers rework employee salaries” (1,326)
Before...
All there is to know about the elimination of the first-month purchase option?
December 16, 2010Liz Beaulieu, Editor
With the first-month purchase option for standard power wheelchairs scheduled to be eliminated Jan. 1, you might want to review what little guidance CMS and its contractors have released about the change. The FAQ below was published in November.
Power Wheelchair Rental - Frequently Asked Questions
Effective for items provided on or after January 1, 2011, standard power wheelchairs (K0813 - K0831, K0898) must be furnished on a monthly rental basis like other capped rental durable medical equipment...
'10 miles' of ask-fors? That's what the HME industry is up against?!?!
December 10, 2010Liz Beaulieu, Editor
I spoke with Seth Johnson earlier today for an update on efforts to delay elimination of the first-month purchase option for standard power wheelchairs. The short story: The delay wasn't included in the "doc fix" that members of Congress passed earlier this week (Read more in Monday's HME NewsWire).
When I asked Johnson why the industry's provision, which is bipartisan and budget neutral, wasn't included in the "doc fix," he said:
“They indicated that there was a list 10 miles long of other...
First-month purchase option: 'Doc-fix' development gives industry more time to build support
November 19, 2010Liz Beaulieu, Editor
I just got off the phone with Seth Johnson, vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility Products. He had this to say on the latest developments surrounding the industry's efforts to delay the elimination of the first-month purchase option for standard power wheelchairs:
The Senate has decided to delay the cut to physician payments for 31 days. The cuts were scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1.
The House of Representatives is working on a 13-month fix to physician payments.
Both the Senate...
Updates: Separate benefit, first-month purchase option
September 28, 2010Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Don Clayback e-mailed NCART members late on Friday to let them know that a steering committee working on a separate benefit for complex rehab plans to publish a new "proposal paper" on Sept. 30. It also plans to hold two teleconferences to discuss the paper on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. (click here to register) and Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. (click here to register). I'll be tuning in on Oct. 4.
"We are making progress with this major initiative and it is important that you stay aware of what is developing and...
Invacare offers CPR to gasping providers
September 26, 2010Mike Moran
ELYRIA, Ohio - If the industry fails to delay the elimination of the first-month purchase option for power wheelchairs, Invacare plans to give CPR to providers who need it.
"It's called CPR, and that could be consumer power rental, consumer power revival or consumer power resuscitation," said Carl Will, senior vice president, homecare. "We support the industry trying to get a delay, but if it does go through, it changes the business from a sales business to a rental business. That creates a bunch...
They wanted bi-partisan support and they're going to get it
September 24, 2010Liz Beaulieu, Editor
I just got off the phone with Seth Johnson for our weekly chat.
The "dear colleague" letter in the House to delay the elimination of the first-month purchase option for standard power wheelchairs was expected to be sent to the chairs and ranking Republicans of the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees this week. "No later than this afternoon (Friday)," Johnson said.
The Senate letter will be sent early next week (the week of Sept. 27), he said.
Johnson didn't have an official count of...
Seen and heard
September 21, 2010Liz Beaulieu, Editor
When it comes to efforts to preserve access to wheelchairs, industry stakeholders are being seen and heard.
One indicator of this: A post by Ann Eubank on the NRRTS listserv this week. Eubank and the Users First Alliance had a story and an ad published in an insert of The Washington Post that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The theme of the story and the ad: Having wheelchair-accessible parking and restrooms is great, but it means nothing if...