The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced its final coding, benefit category, and payment determinations for seat elevation on Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) power wheelchairs. But the agency is putting off its final coding and funding decisions for seat elevation on consumer power chairs. The CRT determinations were included in CMS’s Second…
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CMS Pauses Group 2 Seat Elevation Coding, Funding Decisions
Why Cardinal Health ‘Wants to Be a Major’ Enabler of At-Home Care
Rob Schlissberg, president of Cardinal Health’s at-home business, looks forward to 2024.
NHIA Releases Practice Standard for Home Infusion Electronic Mechanical Pumps
New standard provides guidance to home infusion stakeholders.
Study: Caregivers’ Health Is Poorer Than Health of Non-Caregivers
U.K. study cites the mental and physical toll of taking care of others.
CMS Releases Details of Lymphedema Compression Treatment Coverage
Medicare coverage starts Jan. 1, 2024.
Legislative See More >
CRT Fly-In to Focus on Medicare Pathway for Ultralightweight Frame Upgrades
Advocates at the Sept. 10 event on Capitol Hill will ask for support for H.R. 5371.
The Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Fly-In to Capitol Hill on Sept. 9-10 will focus on creating a path for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to titanium or carbon fiber frames for ultralightweight wheelchairs (HCPCS code K0005). “Mobility stakeholders are having in-person meetings with House and Senate offices on Sept. 10 to advocate for improved consumer access…
AAHomecare Fly-In: HME Leaders Meet with 140+ Congressional Offices
During the May 15 event, industry representatives advocated for Medicare rate relief and H.R. 5371.
AAHomecare: Final Push Needed for S.1294/H.R. 5555 Support
Advocates are asked to reach out to their Senators and Representatives.
House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Approves Two HME Bills
H.R. 5555 and H.R. 5371 now proceed to the full Energy & Commerce Committee.
NCPA Supports Senate PBM Bills
The Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act was passed by the Senate Finance Committee last week.
Today on HME Business
Briefly: FAHCS to Host February Legislative Conference; VGM Relaunches Heartland Website
Featuring the Florida Alliance of Home Care Services and VGM & Associates.
FAHCS to Host Legislative Conference in February The Florida Alliance of Home Care Services (FAHCS) is hosting a legislative conference in Tallahassee, Florida, Feb. 11-12. In a Jan. 13 announcement, FAHCS said, “This day-and-a-half conference will include critical meetings with champions and key legislators to push our agenda forward and support providers across Florida.” The…HME Business Webinar: Ring in the New Year by Improving Your OSA Efficiencies
Free hour-long webinar is scheduled for Jan. 22.
If your new year’s resolutions include improving your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) business — from discovering cutting-edge technology and recent innovations, to improving patient compliance while cutting your business costs — join the sovaSage team for a free HME Business webinar, The Future Is Now: OSA Patient Management for 2030 & Beyond. The Wed., Jan.…CMS Announces Medicare, Medicaid Flexibilities After California Wildfires
The public health emergency in the southern portion of the state began Jan. 7.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) flexibilities in response to ongoing wildfires in Southern California that started last week. In a Jan. 10 news alert, CMS said state of California waivers are available for affected providers. Medicare beneficiaries who have lost their durable…Briefly: Medicare Contractors to Attend Medtrade; Homecare Champion Award Nominations Due
Featuring Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ contractors and the American Association for Homecare.
DME MACs, Other CMS Contractors to Exhibit at Medtrade 2025 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) durable medical equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) will have a booth in the Medtrade expo hall next month in Dallas. In a Jan. 7 news announcement, CGS Administrators said the MACs will be in booth 656…Circle Specialty Announces New Director of Sales
The new executive is a veteran of the Complex Rehab Technology industry.
Circle Specialty has hired a director of sales who is a Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) veteran. In a Dec. 31 news announcement, Circle Specialty, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, announced it has hired John Morgan, best known for his long tenure with positioning/mobility manufacturer Freedom Designs. “Morgan brings over 27 years of experience in the…
PDAC Asks Catheter Manufacturers, Distributors to Provide Contact Info for Product Review, New HCPCS Codes
New HCPCS codes go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) contractor is asking for contact information for manufacturers and distributors of intermittent urinary catheters that will be impacted by new HCPCS codes for catheters with hydrophilic coatings. In a Dec. 31 bulletin, Palmetto GBA, the PDAC contractor, said it would start…Inogen SIMEOX 200 Airway Clearance Device Receives FDA 510(k)
The manufacturer has announced a limited launch in the U.S. this year.
Inogen’s SIMEOX 200 Airway Clearance Device for patients with chronic respiratory diseases has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). In a Dec. 30 new announcement, Goleta, California-based Inogen said the 510(k) clearance will be “expanding the company’s ability to market and meet the various needs of patients with chronic respiratory…HME Industries Disappointed to Be Excluded from December Spending Bill
DME funding relief, improved home infusion access, and pharmacy benefit manager reforms were left out.
Multiple segments within the home medical equipment (HME) industry expressed disappointment at being left out of the late December spending bill that will fund the federal government through mid March. While the National Coalition for Rehab & Assistive Technology (NCART) lauded one bright spot — telehealth flexibilities for physical and occupational therapists “have been extended…Briefly: NCPA Decries Spending Bill’s Lack of PBM Reform; NHIA Seeks Board Members
Featuring the National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Home Infusion Association.
NCPA: Congress ‘Fumbled a Chance’ to Include PBM Reform in Spending Bill The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) said the latest short-term spending package that will fund the federal government into mid March wasted an opportunity to introduce much-needed pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. In a Dec. 20 announcement, NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey said…Alexis Ward Leaves AAHomecare, Joins Cubby Beds
Ward had served as the organization’s senior director of payer relations.
Longtime home medical equipment (HME) and Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) advocate and policy expert Alexis Ward has moved on from her position with the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). Ward had served as AAHomecare’s senior director of payer relations. In a Dec. 18 email to colleagues, Ward said, “It has been an honor and privilege…People in HME See More >
Circle Specialty Announces New Director of Sales
The new executive is a veteran of the Complex Rehab Technology industry.
Circle Specialty has hired a director of sales who is a Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) veteran. In a Dec. 31 news announcement, Circle Specialty, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, announced it has hired John Morgan, best known for his long tenure with positioning/mobility manufacturer Freedom Designs. “Morgan brings over 27 years of experience in the…
Alexis Ward Leaves AAHomecare, Joins Cubby Beds
Ward had served as the organization’s senior director of payer relations.
Briefly: Cardinal Health to Announce Q2 Results; AARC Names Director of Education
Featuring Cardinal Health and the American Association for Respiratory Care.
2025 Perspectives: 3 Policy Topics to Watch for in the New Year
Policy specialists discuss trending topics as 2024 draws to a close.
AdaptHealth Names New Chief Commercial Officer
Russell Schuster began his new position on Dec. 2.
Accreditation See More >
2025 Perspectives: 3 Policy Topics to Watch for in the New Year
Policy specialists discuss trending topics as 2024 draws to a close.
As 2024 comes to a close, home medical equipment (HME) industry policy specialists continue to track a number of funding and regulatory topics expected to significantly impact HME providers in 2025. While January will see a new administration in Washington, D.C., and new legislators on Capitol Hill, some policy topics remain consistently of concern for…
Briefly: ACHC Launches Home-Based Acute Health-Care Accreditation; New Survey Reveals the Stress of Business Travel
Featuring Accreditation Commission for Health Care and Booking.com.
BOC Names Wendy Miller the 2024 Jim Newberry Award Winner
Miller was lauded for her many years of service and volunteer work.
November 2024: HME’s Road Ahead
BOC Introduces Long-Term Care at Home Pharmacy Accreditation
The new offering supports pharmacies providing care to patients with long-term health-care needs who remain in their homes.
COVID-19 See More >
Despite Its Resounding Success Story, A Major Opportunity for HME Companies Is in Danger of Going Away
The CMS hospital-at-home program is facing a potential expiration at the end of this year.
As 2024’s end draws near, one of health care’s biggest success stories from the past five years finds itself in peril. That’s not great news for the home medical equipment (HME) industry, which could see a promising opportunity vanish. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) hospital-at-home program, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic,…
Competitive Bidding See More >
ITEM Coalition Sends 75/25 Reimbursement Rate Letter to Congressional Leaders
More than 30 advocacy organizations are urging Congress to protect access to home medical equipment.
The ITEM Coalition has sent a letter to Congressional leaders in support of the reinstatement of the Medicare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate for home medical equipment. In a Dec. 2 letter, the ITEM Coalition noted that the expiration of the 75/25 reimbursement rate in January has hurt patient access to durable medical equipment (DME) nationwide.…
Inside the Leitten NCB Report: How DME Can Save Medicare Money
The newly published VGM report emphasizes that durable medical equipment is an investment rather than a cost to be reduced.
Report: Medicare Should Focus on Timely DME Provision, Not Competitive Bidding
A new report from Leitten Consulting suggests that competitive bidding has “reached its natural end.”
House Committee Passes Amended Version of H.R. 5555
New version excludes the 90/10 blended rate adjustment for suppliers in former CBAs.
CMS Releases Details of Lymphedema Compression Treatment Coverage
Medicare coverage starts Jan. 1, 2024.
Mobility See More >
How to Properly Document Power Mobility Claims
If the documentation is not right, the claim for a very expensive piece of HME can prompt an audit that results in a denial and negates funding for that claim. How can providers ensure they are properly documenting power mobility claims?
Oxygen See More >
Inogen CEO: Company’s ‘Great Progress’ Being Led by Strong POC Sales
The manufacturer launched the Rove 4 portable oxygen concentrator in October.
Inogen’s “great progress” in the third quarter of 2024 was led by strong portable oxygen concentrator (POC) sales, CEO Kevin Smith said in the company’s (Nasdaq: INGN) Nov. 7 earnings call. “I am pleased to share that we are making great progress against our strategic initiatives, beginning with our progress on driving topline growth,” Smith…
Inogen Launches Rove 4 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The POC’s lightweight construction is designed to keep users ambulatory.
Briefly: EZ-ACCESS Provides Ramps for Bull-Riding Legend; Drive DeVilbiss Introduces O2 Concentrator for Low-Income Nations
Featuring EZ-ACCESS, Drive DeVilbiss, and Sanrai International.
Inogen Announces Q2 Financial Results, Anticipates Overall Growth in 2024
Higher demand and new customers drive growth, the manufacturer reported.
Inogen Appoints New General Counsel and EVP of Business Development
The new addition is a health-care industry veteran.
Pain Management See More >
Must-Stock Retail DME Categories
What DME items should be sitting on your retail shelves? We take a look at some key product categories that any pharmacy specializing in DME products should offer.
Retail See More >
Research: Pharmacy Closures Outpaced Openings in 2018-2021
Predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods were at highest risk for pharmacy closures.
Newly published research from Health Affairs revealed that from 2018 through 2021, retail pharmacy closures outnumbered new retail pharmacy openings — and that nearly 30% of independent pharmacies that operated in the 2010-2020 timeframe had closed by 2021. “In recent years, federal and state policy makers have expressed concern about retail pharmacy closures throughout the…
HME Business Podcast: The Benefits of Retailer Certification Across the DMEPOS Spectrum
How traditional home medical equipment providers as well as pharmacies can benefit from retailer certification.
Pride Mobility Launches Baja Raptor 2 4-Wheel Scooter
Cardinal Health Launches Retail System for Independent Pharmacies
Medicare Accreditation Renewal & DMEPOS Retailer Certification
Sales & Marketing See More >
Space Still Available for Medtrade Workshops
Attendees still have time to sign up for the Certified Durable Medical Equipment Specialist, the Team@Work Sales Bootcamp, and the Retail Fundamentals Workshop.
Sleep Therapy See More >
HME Business Webinar: Ring in the New Year by Improving Your OSA Efficiencies
Free hour-long webinar is scheduled for Jan. 22.
If your new year’s resolutions include improving your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) business — from discovering cutting-edge technology and recent innovations, to improving patient compliance while cutting your business costs — join the sovaSage team for a free HME Business webinar, The Future Is Now: OSA Patient Management for 2030 & Beyond. The Wed., Jan.…
HME Business Webinar: Building an OSA Patient Management Strategy
The Jan. 22 webinar on obstructive sleep apnea workflows is free to attend.
Fisher & Paykel Earnings Call: Company Lauds ‘Strong Performance’ of New Sleep Apnea Masks
CEO Lewis Gradon said the Nova Micro, Solo Autofit, and Evora Full masks address the needs of a wide range of patients.
CMS Proposes Medicare, Medicaid Coverage for Anti-Obesity Drugs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Dec. 10.
VieMed Q3 Earnings Call: Sleep, Ventilator Business Units Drive Strong Growth
The company also voiced support for reconsideration of the national coverage determination for noninvasive ventilation.
Software & IT See More >
Össur Launches EmpowerX DMEPOS Workflow Management System
The new software program was designed to reduce admin time for orthopedic providers.
Össur has launched a fully automated, AI-integrated DMEPOS practice and workflow management solution for orthopedic providers and hospital systems in the United States. In a Sept. 23 news announcement, Össur said EmpowerX is “designed to streamline workflows, reduce errors and enhance patient care” while giving clinicians the freedom “to focus on delivering excellent patient care…