News
Competitive bidding: Stakeholders on watch for further developments
June 2, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders will keep an eye on CMS as it takes next steps toward a new round of competitive bidding and will act to preserve current guardrails for the program, they say.
CMS on May 25 announced a temporary gap period in the program starting Jan. 1, 2024. Contracts for off-the-shelf back and knee braces for the current round, Round 2021, expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
“It takes 18 months or more to get the bid program up and running and...
In brief: Cardinal Health partners with Square, Quipt terminates equity program
June 2, 2023HME News Staff
DUBLIN, Ohio, and SAN FRANCISCO – Cardinal Health has partnered with Square to launch modern payment solutions for independent pharmacies and give them access to products that can help them better manage their business.
The partnership allows Cardinal Health to offer its independent pharmacy customers access to innovative products that can seamlessly manage business operations, integrate flexible payment options for in-store, online and delivery purchases, and reduce payment processing...
In brief: Belluscura fundraises, Alick’s debuts, Mobility City grows
May 31, 2023HME News Staff
LONDON, and PLANO, Texas – Belluscura has raised gross proceeds of £3 million (approximately £2.7 million net of expenses) through the issue of 12 million new ordinary shares at the issue price of 25 pence per share. The company has also announced a retail offer to raise up to £0.5 million (before expenses) through the issue of new ordinary shares of 1 penny each in the share capital of the company. Under the retail offer, up to two million new ordinary shares will be made...
Post-PHE: Brush up on rules to guard against audits
May 26, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – With the public health emergency officially over, HME providers need to prepare for a return to “normal” – including a return to audits, say industry stakeholders.
On April 28, ahead of the PHE ending on May 11, CMS published directions for claims impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the agency’s guidance: Continue to use the CR modifier for rentals and supplies, and return to proof of delivery with a patient’s signature.
“During...
Remote staffing: The new normal?
May 26, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – HME companies are leaning on remote staffing solutions to help fill vacancies and reduce expenses, according to the results of a recent HME Newspoll.
A large majority of respondents to the poll (85%) cited those two reasons as the key drivers for outsourcing certain operations.
“We have found that using remote staffing is extremely beneficial and affordable,” said Mike Tracey of Aspirus Home Medical Equipment in Wausau, Wis. “Currently,...
In brief: Tomorrow Health exits supply biz, Samaritan Medical sells to Norco
May 26, 2023HME News Staff
NEW YORK – Tomorrow Health has closed its first-party HME supply business to “remove barriers and unlock new opportunities” for its network of home-based care providers, the company has announced.
Tomorrow Health's decision to concentrate on its technology for supplier partners comes as the broader health care ecosystem shifts its strategic priorities and seeks greater support in enabling the delivery and reimbursement of quality home-based care, it says.
"HME...
CMS announces gap period in bid program
May 25, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has announced there will be a temporary gap period in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program, when the current Round 2021 contracts for off-the-shelf back and knee braces expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
During the gap period, which starts on Jan. 1, 2024, suppliers may furnish items and services to patients under the following payment rules:
Adjusted fees in former competitive bidding areas (CBAs) are based on 100% of the single payment amount for the CBA increased...
In brief: Advent Home Medical buys Med Emporium, Brightree survey emphasizes interoperability
May 24, 2023HME News Staff
CHICAGO – New Harbor Capital has announced that its portfolio company Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Advent Home Medical has acquired Charlotte, N.C.-based Med Emporium, strengthening the company’s respiratory focus and paving the way for it to expand into new geographies.
It’s Advent Home Medical’s third acquisition in partnership with New Harbor Capital, which completed a majority investment in the company in March 2021.
“We are very excited to partner...
Homecare Champion Kam Yuricich on building relationships
May 19, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kam Yuricich, who was crowned the 2023 Van Miller Homecare Champion at Medtrade in March, credits relationship building for the successes she’s helped to achieve on the state and federal level in her 37-year and counting career in the HME industry.
Here’s what the executive director of the Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services (OAMES) and the Great Lakes Home Medical Services Association had to say about how relationship building increases credibility,...
In brief: Invacare sales decrease, smart home market, ARPA payments
May 19, 2023HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare Holdings reported its predecessor, Invacare Corp., had net sales of $165.5 million for the first quarter 2023, a decrease of 17.7% compared to the same period last year.
During the first quarter, Invacare announced that its U.S. entities, including Freedom Designs and Adaptive Switch Laboratories, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They emerged from bankruptcy on May 5.
“Year-to-date, we've made tremendous strides in all aspects of the company’s...