Tag: VGM

WASHINGTON – VGM has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expedite its approval process for a replacement foam for respiratory devices affected by the Philips recall.  “We are requesting accelerated approval from the FDA for this critical replacement component for approved technicians to rapidly start the process of replacing/repairing all recalled units,” states VGM in a letter to the agency.  Philips on June 14 announced a voluntary recall of certain...

WASHINGTON – VGM has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expedite its approval process for a replacement foam for respiratory devices affected by the Philips recall.  “We are requesting accelerated approval from the FDA for this critical replacement component for approved technicians to rapidly start the process of replacing/repairing all recalled units,” states VGM in a letter to the agency.  Philips on June 14 announced a voluntary recall of certain...

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – BodiMetrics is ramping up exposure for its CIRCUL Sleep & Fitness Ring by partnering with VGM & Associates and exploring an advertising campaign in Prevention Magazine.  The Ring, which is Bluetooth-connected to a user’s smart phone, can be used for everything from tracking overnight sleep to monitoring daytime SpO2 and heart rate to recording workouts, making it ideal for monitoring CPAP and other therapies, says Jim Gilkison, vice president of sales.  “It’s...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has announced Mark Scharenbroich as the keynote speaker for its 20th Heartland Conference, Sept. 13-15 in Waterloo, Iowa. “Mark is phenomenal at creating those authentic connections our members want with their customers and co-workers,” said Sarah Conger, vice president, corporate projects, VGM Group. “His messages are a great fit for our event, as connection is at the core of everything we do at Heartland.” Scharenbroich is best known...

WASHINGTON – Newly released data from Round 2021 show that modifications to the competitive bidding program worked in a number of ways, but more are needed, say industry stakeholders.  The data reveal that 15,695 or 42% of bids submitted for the 13 major product categories dropped from Round 2021 were disqualified for reasons that included pricing and financial issues. Hundreds of bids were disqualified for invalid bid bonds.  “(Requiring) bid bonds reduced the amount...

Editor’s note: The following guest commentary appears in the new VGM Q2 Playbook, “Growing Your Business in Today’s Environment.” VGM members can download the playbook in full here. If you are interested in becoming a member, go here. You know me, you’ve heard me say it before—wound care is important for all DMEPOS providers because every patient has skin, and skin health affects each of us. The skin is our largest organ. Not only does it protect us against...

WASHINGTON – The recently passed $1.9 trillion stimulus package could mean good news and bad news for HME providers, stakeholders say.  The good news: Industry stakeholders are hopeful that now that the package is passed they can make some headway on an assortment of issues, including a yet-to-be-released DMEPOS final rule.  The bad news: Because of a federal requirement that any spending increases be offset by spending cuts the following...

COLUMBIA, S.C. – HME providers are fighting large managed care organizations that are increasingly pushing into more states and offering reduced reimbursement rates, say industry stakeholders.  The straw that’s breaking the camel’s back: The COVID-19 pandemic pushing the cost of doing business even higher, says Craig Douglas, vice president of payer and member relations for VGM.  “Acquisition...

WATERLOO, Iowa – The cost of delivering home medical equipment has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a new survey from VGM.   The survey of nearly 100 medical equipment providers in eight regions of the U.S. looked at vehicle cost per trip; PPE expense; labor expense per hour; and time of travel, equipment set-up and instruction, and equipment pickup.  In the Great Lakes region, for example, the average delivery cost has...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM has partnered with Ardo medical to offer the company’s new products for expecting and breastfeeding mothers to VGM and Essentially Women members. “In addition to providing mothers with the necessary means to feed their babies, we are now offering VGM & EW members support products for breastfeeding mothers, such as ultra-pure Ardo Care Lanolin cream or the Vegan alternative Ardo Care Balm,” said Samuel Krähenbühl, CEO...