News
Stakeholders ready to press gas on relief
January 14, 2022Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – HME industry stakeholders and their champions in Congress are close to finalizing legislative language to provide reimbursement relief.
AAHomecare’s Jay Witter had a meeting scheduled on Jan. 14 with the staff of Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R.-Okla., who will take the lead on the legislation.
“We’re meeting for final approval, changes or (to address) any questions, but we’re hoping to wrap the legislation up quickly and get it introduced in...
In brief: MSC buys Repair Authority, Inogen pauses some manufacturing, CPAP.com receives investment
January 14, 2022HME News Staff
FORT WORTH, Texas – MSC Biomedical Services has acquired Repair Authority to form an HME repair service provider that services all 50 states.
In the near term, MSC Biomedical and Repair Authority will continue to operate independently.
“This deal unites two of the oldest and most well-respected HME repair companies in the U.S.,” says Jonathan Hadley, CEO of MSC Biomedical Services. “This acquisition solidifies MSC Biomedical as the definitive market leader...
Stark on oxygen NCD’s ripple effects, gaps
January 7, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Andrea Stark says the HME industry hasn’t experienced a coverage expansion like what’s in the new NCD for home oxygen therapy in recent history.
Stark, the head of reimbursement at MiraVista LLC, was a guest on a recent HME News in 10 podcast to talk about the ripple effects of the new NCD, which expands coverage to acute conditions and eliminates the CMN requirement, and how the DME MACs will interpret the new policy.
Caught by surprise
“CMS...
In brief: HIDA research, catheter white paper, Quipt acquisition
January 7, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Medical supplies are being delayed 37 days due to ongoing supply chain problems, according to research by the Health Industry Distributors Association.
These delays are impacting 8,000-12,000 containers of supplies throughout the U.S. transportation system, the association says.
“HIDA recommends a fast-pass system to prioritize essential medical supplies through ports, onto rail and truck for expedited delivery to the front lines of health care,”...
HIDA: Medical supplies face ongoing delays
January 5, 2022HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Medical supplies are being delayed 37 days due to ongoing supply chain problems, according to research by the Health Industry Distributors Association.
These delays are impacting 8,000-12,000 containers of supplies throughout the U.S. transportation system, the association says.
“HIDA recommends a fast-pass system to prioritize essential medical supplies through ports, onto rail and truck for expedited delivery to the front lines of health care,”...
CQRC: Contact CMS about paperwork requirements
January 3, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care is asking industry stakeholders to contact CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to standardize the paperwork requirements for home oxygen coverage.
The CQRC says requiring physicians to provide medical records could result in “the vast majority of claims being denied.”
“CMS has indicated that physicians will be required to provide their medical records instead of using a form with the information...
In brief: Philips update, Essity expansion, Kubat recognition
December 30, 2021HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM – Philips Respironics has determined that exposure to the level of VOCs identified to date for the first-generation DreamStation devices is not typically anticipated to result in long-term health consequences for patients.
The announcement comes after an assessment by an outside medical panel and Philips and is intended to give healthcare providers the most recent data. Overall guidance for physicians and patients in the recall notification remains unchanged.
At...
Philips Respironics provides testing update
December 27, 2021HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM – Philips Respironics has determined that exposure to the level of VOCs identified to date for the first-generation DreamStation devices is not typically anticipated to result in long-term health consequences for patients.
The announcement comes after an assessment by an outside medical panel and Philips and is intended to give healthcare providers the most recent data. Overall guidance for physicians and patients in the recall notification remains unchanged.
At...
AAH pushes for more timely payments from Tricare
December 22, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders met with the Defense Health Agency recently to discuss ongoing issues with timely payment of Tricare East claims and the changes Humana Military is making to improve the process.
The primary issue, says Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for AAHomecare, stems from the inability to attach supporting documentation to claims submitted to Humana Military, the contractor for Tricare East.
“We felt from a DME claims process,...
Providers struggle with logistics, costs during disasters
December 22, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – The results of a new survey on the challenges HME providers face during disasters will be an impactful talking point for the Emergency Preparedness for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers Committee and CMS, stakeholders say.
Among the results of the survey: 78% of respondents say getting equipment to patients in need is their biggest hurdle during a disaster.
“When you start talking about snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles to get to patients through...