Tag: ventilators

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Philips reported EUR 4.2 billion in group sales for the third quarter, a 7.6% comparable decline due to headwinds caused by global supply chain challenges and the recall of certain CPAP devices and ventilators.  The company says comparable sales decreased 39% for its Connected Care business, following, in part, a double-digit decline in Sleep & Respiratory Care in the third quarter.  “This quarter’s sales were impacted unfavorably...

OAKLAND, Calif. – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a $3.31 million settlement against SuperCare Health for allegedly billing Medicare and Medi-Cal for servicing ventilators that were no longer necessary. The proposed settlement resolves allegations that the Downey-based company submitted fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal in violation of the state and federal False Claims Act. Per the proposed settlement, SuperCare will pay $3.31 million to multiple government plaintiffs, with...

WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are pushing back on a CMS alert that, they say, makes it seem like patients can get CPAP devices and ventilators affected by a recent Philips recall replaced or repaired right away.  The alert states: “If you would like to replace or repair your equipment, the supplier you bought the equipment from is responsible for replacing or repairing rental equipment at no cost to you when the equipment is less than five years old. If the equipment is more...

AMSTERDAM – Philips could hear back from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August about its plans to replace the foam in certain CPAP devices and ventilators, based on a timeline provided during the company’s July 26 conference call to discuss financial results for the second quarter.  Philips filed "multiple packages" of CFR 806 applications for corrections and removals with the FDA in June and CEO Frans van Houten said, based on prior experience, there’s typically...

DARIEN, Ill. – The American Academy of Sleep Medicine will host a live panel discussion on Friday about the impact of the Philips PAP device recall notification on vulnerable populations, including pediatric and vent patients.  The discussion, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET, will cover:  Allocation of limited supplies – How to prioritize the medically most needy given the limited supply of home ventilators for patients needing them.  Respiratory therapy in hospitals...

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana House of Representatives last week passed HB 594, a bill that would prevent insurers, managed care organizations and other payers from setting reimbursement caps for ventilators, according to AAHomecare. The association joined HME stakeholders in the state to support the bill, helping to convince key legislators to remove proposed amendments that would have capped costs for non-invasive ventilators and would have restricted the ability of HME providers to provide...

LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare grew its core business by 21% in 2020 and rolled out several new programs in the fourth quarter that will enhance and diversify the company’s overall business in 2021, says CEO Casey Hoyt.  For one, the company has moved from pilots to national rollouts of both its “Engage” and “View” platforms, which...

LAFAYETTE, La. - Viemed Healthcare reported total revenues of $33.4 million for the third quarter of 2020, including $8.6 million in product sales and services related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Revenues attributable to the company's core business were $24.9 million for the quarter, a 22% increase compared to the same quarter in 2019. “This year has challenged the health care system in an unprecedented manner with the ongoing respiratory pandemic creating a strain on the acute-care facilities...

BOTHELL, Wash. - Ventec Life Systems recently donated $10,000 to a COVID-19 RT Fund created by the American Association of Respiratory Care's board of directors. The fund sends financial assistance to the surviving families of licensed respiratory therapists who have died while caring for patients with COVID-19. Ventec Life Systems made the donation during National Respiratory Care Week, Oct. 26-31. “Respiratory Care Week shines a light on the vital role respiratory therapists play, and the...

While the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated headlines in 2020, HME providers still face challenges from natural disasters like Hurricane Laura, which blew ashore Aug. 27 in Louisiana as a Category 4 with winds of 150 mph. Both events have shined a light on the need for technology in the home to care for patients, says Casey Hoyt, CEO of Lafayette-based Viemed Healthcare. HME spoke with Hoyt about his company's response to the storm and how the pandemic helped it weather the hurricane. HME News: How...