Smart Talk

Q. What are vulnerability scans and how do they help me? A. Vulnerability scanning is a lot like a routine physical at your physician’s office but intended for your IT systems. These scans use special tools to look for any security weaknesses in your network, systems and applications. By doing this regularly, you can spot potential problems early and fix them before they turn into big, and expensive, issues.   Why care about regular scans?  Regular scans help you find...

Q. How can I stay compliant with Medicare’s fee-for-service plans?  A. Dealing with Medicare fee-for-service plans can be tricky, but there are ways to manage the risks and stay compliant. Documentation errors are a primary risk, as Medicare is extremely strict, and any mistakes can lead to claim denials or audits. To avoid these risks, ensure all patient records, prescriptions and proof of delivery are thoroughly documented and easily accessible. Billing inaccuracies, such as incorrect...

Q. What are the top needs of caregivers in the growing HME market?  A. As the demand for home health care grows, caregivers—many of whom are young adults—are increasingly relying on home medical equipment to assist their aging loved ones. This trend has fueled a surge in the market, valued at $66.81 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at a robust 5.61% annually through 2030. But what products are driving this growth, and why?  Here are the top five must-have items for...

Q. What trends can we expect to see in 2025 for the maternity and baby market?  A. As families welcome new life, the demand for products that make this precious stage easier, safer and more sustainable continues to grow. For DME suppliers focused on the maternity and baby market, 2025 presents a unique opportunity to connect with modern parents and caregivers in meaningful ways. By embracing innovation, sustainability and holistic care, suppliers can play an essential role in supporting families...

Q. What is multi-factor authentication?  A. If you’re like one-third of Americans, you’ve gotten a lovely letter from Change Healthcare informing you of what you already know: Your health care data was part of their recent breach and is out in the wild.   Why did this happen? Andrew Witty, CEO of United Healthcare, Change’s corporate parent, revealed that the root cause of the breach was a lack of multi-factor authentication on a particular service, and that...

Q. What steps can I take to prepare for audits under managed care contracts?  By Kit Shellhouse  A. As a provider, preparing for audits under managed care contracts can be a chore, but the key is to understand the requirements and expectations well in advance. Invest time in reviewing your managed care contracts to grasp all requirements, including billing procedures, documentation standards and compliance obligations. This foundational knowledge is crucial for staying well-informed...

Q. How can manufacturers empower young caregivers with their equipment?  By David Carson  A. As the aging population grows, young adults are increasingly stepping in as caregivers for aging family members. Many of these caregivers are turning to home medical equipment to help manage the physical and logistical challenges of providing mobility assistance. For manufacturers, this demographic presents an opportunity to innovate, supporting young caregivers with products that are ergonomic,...

Q. How can I use holiday marketing to reach customers?  By Lalaina Rabary  A. The holidays are approaching fast! With upticks in purchasing, social media engagement and more, now is the time for DME providers to begin preparing to connect with their clients and expand their client base. Here are some strategies to make the most of the season and tap into the market more meaningfully.   Festive email marketing campaigns: Holiday-themed emails that showcase DME products as...

Q. What is incident response planning and why is it important?  A. Incident response (IR) planning involves developing a structured approach to detect, respond to and manage cybersecurity incidents. As businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, having a robust and documented plan is crucial to safeguarding an organization’s assets. A well-developed plan allows an organization to quickly identify, contain and mitigate an incident, minimizing downtime and financial losses.   In...

Q. What types of information will I be required to provide to the OCR in the event of an audit of my HIPAA compliance program?  A. Being proactive will alleviate the pressure of an OCR (HSS Office for Civil Rights) audit. The OCR will request documentation from you as a provider. This information must demonstrate that your company has adhered to the required HIPAA Program.   To prove adherence, a portion of the required documentation will include the policies and procedures related...