Tag: non-invasive ventilators

LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare says a recent report from the Office of Inspector General shows how disconnected investigators are from CMS’s clinical protocols for non-invasive ventilators and shines a light on the lack of understanding of the critical role HME providers play in providing this life-saving care to patients.  The OIG in May published a report saying most of the Medicare claims submitted for the monthly rental of NIV by Viemed, under its original name Sleep...

LAFAYETTE, La. – A recent study showing positive outcomes for patients treated with non-invasive ventilation at home is a step toward closing a “data gap” that prevents more patients from benefiting from the therapy, says Dr. William Fraizer, chief medical officer for Viemed Healthcare. Patients treated with NIV at home had a 50% decrease in all-cause mortality during the study period; a 28% decline in the risk of hospitalization; and a 52% reduction in the risk of an emergency...

CHICAGO – Inogen has settled allegations that its line of wearable ventilators infringes on patents by Breathe Technologies, according to Bloomberg Law. Inogen entered the non-invasive ventilators market with its acquisition of New Aera for $70.4 million in 2019. New Aera manufactures the Tidal Assist Ventilator system, which includes the SideKick RAV, a 4-ounce, pocket-sized portable non-invasive vent for people suffering from various chronic lunch...

LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare has published a study that shows non-invasive ventilation at home improves survival and decreases health care utilization in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD with chronic respiratory failure.  “This study is the first of its kind published in the U.S. and represents a significant milestone in our mission of educating the medical community on the benefits of NIVH,” said Casey Hoyt, Viemed CEO. “The data supports...

NEW YORK – The acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York has announced a $40.5 million settlement with Apria Healthcare for alleged fraudulent billing practices for non-invasive ventilators. The lawsuit alleges, among other claims, that Apria submitted false claims to federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, seeking reimbursement for the rental of non-invasive vents to beneficiaries who were not using the NIVs. Other claims in the lawsuit: Apria...

NEW YORK – The acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York has announced a $40.5 million settlement with Apria Healthcare for alleged fraudulent billing practices for non-invasive ventilators.  The lawsuit alleges, among other claims, that Apria submitted false claims to federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, seeking reimbursement for the rental of non-invasive vents to beneficiaries who were not using the NIVs.   Other claims in the...

WASHINGTON - CMS has removed non-invasive ventilators from the competitive bidding program.The agency had included the vents in Round 2021, something industry stakeholders have argued against and something that has taken on a new urgency in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic."CMS is making the right call at the right time in removing non-invasive vents from the next round of competitive bidding," said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. "This decisive action will help maintain patient access...

WASHINGTON - Industry stakeholders are pushing providers to act fast on a bill delaying the inclusion of non-invasive ventilators in competitive bidding for five years.They'd like to get as many co-sponsors for the bill, known as the “Safeguarding Medicare Access to Respiratory Therapy (SMART) Act of 2019,” ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving recess, and they suggest focusing first on the 180 representatives who signed a letter asking CMS to drop vents from the program.“If you are...

YARMOUTH, Maine - There are too many unknowns and there is too much at stake for CMS to include non-invasive ventilators in its competitive bidding program, providers say.The “Safeguarding Medicare Access to Respiratory Therapy (SMART) Act of 2019,” introduced last month in the House of Representatives, would help to finally create a comprehensive coverage policy governing the use of non-invasive vents in the home, they say.“I've been pushing for standards of care since I could...

WASHINGTON - CMS says it has safeguards in place to protect beneficiary access to non-invasive ventilators during Round 2021 of competitive bidding.The statement is in response to the 180 members of the House of Representatives who signed a letter asking the agency to drop non-invasive vents from the program.“The response fails to address the central tenets of the House sign-on letter, including the idea that 'adequacy of Medicare payment for critical services like home ventilation care is...