Tag: Home Medical Equipment
DMEScripts adds muscle behind e-prescribing
September 24, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
INDIANAPOLIS – The founding investors behind DMEscripts believe their unique alliance will make a big difference in selling referral sources on e-prescribing, an obstacle to adoption so far.
Apria Healthcare, Lincare, AdaptHealth and Rotech Healthcare, along with AAHomecare and VGM & Associates, launched DMEscripts, an industry backed e-prescribing platform that’s open to any provider, in September.
“That’s the thesis under the whole thing,” said Dan...
Collins Medical: ‘Lifeblood’ of family, industry
September 24, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Collins Medical Equipment has taken many different forms over the course of its nine decades in business, but one thing that hasn’t changed is its commitment to being a family-owned, local business, says President Jack Collins.
“We’ve evolved from a tiny corner drug store of no more than 600 square feet founded by my grandfather to two locations and 25 employees statewide,” said Jack Collins. “We’ve been medical equipment, we’ve...
In brief: Increasing costs, Netflix fame, Verma appointment
September 24, 2021HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has sent a letter asking CMS, at minimum, to pay all HME providers in non-rural areas, including those in the 130 competitive bidding areas, the 75/25 blended reimbursement rates to help them offset increasing costs.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, acquisition costs for many products have been rising steadily in the form of incremental price increases,” writes Clint Geffert, president of VGM & Associates in the Sept. 8 letter....
Sun Medical launches new location offering broad array of services
September 23, 2021HME News Staff
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Sun Medical Equipment and Supplies has opened a new Home Health Care Center in the “Triangle District” here.
In addition to home medical equipment supplies and services, the new location will have nurses on staff to answer questions regarding home care evaluations, PCR COVID-19 testing for travel and other issues, and to host monthly “Ask the Nurse” seminars.
“We know people want the best for their family and we’ve...
Great Elm DME reports ‘positive momentum’
September 22, 2021HME News Staff
WALTHAM, Mass. – Great Elm DME reported revenues of $15.4 million for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to $13.9 million for the same period last year. Net income was $5.9 million vs. $2.8 million.
For the fiscal year end, the company reported revenues of $57.6 million vs. $55.7 million, and a net loss of $2.5 million vs. a net loss of $0.1 million.
Great Elm DME’s parent company, Great Elm Group, highlighted the completion of a holding company reorganization...
Impact of product delays: ‘It’s a battle to find everything’
September 17, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
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...
Industry agenda heats up: 'It’s an easy story to tell’
September 17, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
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...
‘The benefits of e-prescribing are numerous’
September 17, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
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,”...
In brief: Heartland wraps up, Medtrade East masks up
September 17, 2021HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM welcomed nearly 1,000 guests for its 20th annual Heartland Conference last week.
The conference, which is usually held in June, was moved to September to help ensure health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers took precautions like moving all social events outdoors and requiring masks indoors.
“As leaders in the health care industry, we wanted to do everything we could, taking all proper precautions, to help keep everyone safe during...
NC Medicaid extends rate increase
September 16, 2021HME News Staff
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina Medicaid has agreed to extend a 5% rate increase for home medical equipment for two months, until Nov. 30, according to AAHomecare. Medicaid officials have also agreed to meet with ACMESA to discuss extending the relief beyond Nov. 30. “North Carolina providers are elated that NC Medicaid elected to extend the 5% Covid relief,” said Craig Rae, ACMESA president. “In light of the continued cost increases we’re facing, this helps protect...