Also Noted

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...

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Collins Medical Equipment and Accessibility Solutions celebrated its 90th anniversary on Sept. 10 with a ribbon cutting. The family owned company started in 1931 as Collins Pharmacy, and it added durable medical equipment in 1975. In 2002, Collins Pharmacy sold its prescription department to CVS so it could focus on DME. In 2016, it launched a new division, Collins Insulin Pumps & Supplies. Today, four generations of the Collins family work at the company.

KEW GARDENS, N.Y. – The United Spinal Association is urging members to reach out to their members of Congress to ask them to co-sponsor a resolution, introduced by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., supporting National Spinal Cord Injury Month, which takes place in September. The average lifespan for people with SCI has not improved significantly since the 1980s. Increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes and enhancing the quality...

FRISCO, Texas – Soleo Health has opened a Thyroid Eye Disease Therapeutic Care Management Center. Soleo Health’s TCMCs are designed to support patients nationally with specific complex conditions, including rare and ultra-rare diseases and the respective therapies used to treat them. “We created our TED TCMC to provide clinical expertise and a support system for patients, caregivers and physicians nationwide,” said Drew Walk, CEO. “Our TCMCs provide a consistent patient...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association has launched a three-day ad blitz aimed at pushing Congress to end the practice of pharmacy benefit managers that pocket savings intended for senior citizens and drive local pharmacies out of business. The ad, titled “You Should Know,” shows how PBMs negotiate discounts on expensive pharmaceuticals and then keep a chunk of the savings instead of passing it on to consumers. The ad also points out how the same PBMs steer patients...

CARROLLTON, Texas – Hospice Source has named Jeff Mongonia CEO. Mongonia has been in the post-acute health care space for 30 years, holding key leadership roles in both the HME and respiratory care industry, as well as the hospice and palliative care industry, most recently as COO of the Hospice and Palliative Care business unit at Compassus. Prior to that, he held roles at American HomePatient and Lincare. Hospice Source currently provides service to patients and hospice providers from 64...

WASHINGTON – CMS has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that seeks to fully repeal a final rule on Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology and the definition of “reasonable and necessary.” The rule was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 14, 2021, with an effective date that has been delayed until Dec. 15, 2021. The NPRM will include a public comment period and will detail the agency’s intent to conduct future rulemaking to expediate a coverage pathway for...

IRVINE, Calif. – The American Advisors Group (AAG) has partnered with VGM Live At Home to broaden access to home equity to fund home modification projects. More than 80% of seniors wish to live in their home for the rest of their lives, according to a recent study by AAG. “This partnership is a perfect combination of two category leaders focused on the same mission of helping seniors,” said Jesse Allen, executive vice president of alternative distribution for AAG. “Our data...

ATLANTA – Show organizers will require masks at Medtrade East, Oct. 18-20, at the Georgia World Congress Center. In an update to the Medtrade East website, they also note that Atlanta is under a mask mandate. “Medtrade East is excited to welcome our attendees and exhibitors back to forge new relationships and celebrate old ones,” show organizers say on the website. “Our team is committed to creating an event experience where our customers, partners and employees can safely...

BARBOURSVILLE, West Va. – Best Home Medical has sold to Rotech Healthcare, according to Medtrade Monday. The company’s owner, Regina Gillispie, RRT, who was the 2018 Van Miller Homecare Champion, is semi-retiring. “After more than 30 years in the HME industry, I made the decision to sell my company to semi-retire,” Gillispie, an active advocate of the industry on Capitol Hill, told Medtrade Monday. “I appreciate all the information and friendships that my membership...