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 >
AAHomecare: Final Push Needed for S.1294/H.R. 5555 Support
Advocates are asked to reach out to their Senators and Representatives.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has asked industry members to reach out to their Senators and Representatives on behalf of bills S. 1294 and H.R. 5555, which would extend the 75/25 blended rate for home medical suppliers in non-competitive-bidding areas. In a Dec. 13 announcement, AAHomecare noted that H.R. 5555 was approved by the…
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.
NHIA Submits Home Infusion Comments to Congressional Committees
The association noted how home infusion can improve outcomes while saving money.
AARC Reports Successful Annual Respiratory Fly-in
Advocates attended more than 200 meetings on Capitol Hill.
Today on HME Business
ACHC Charity Golf Tournament Opens Registration
Tournament will benefit two children’s charities.
Registration is now open for this year’s Accreditation Commission for Health Care’s (ACHC) Charity Golf Tournament, taking place May 20 at MacGregor Downs Country Club in ACHC’s hometown of Cary, North Carolina. In a March 8 announcement, ACHC said golfers’ registration fees would again directly support Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle (Morrisville, North…DME MACs Announce Upcoming Events, Appearances
Upcoming educational opportunities include Medtrade and roadshow events.
The Medicare DME MACs have announced appearances at upcoming events. The DME MACs — Noridian Healthcare Solutions (Jurisdictions A and D) and CGS Administrators (Jurisdictions B and C) — will be in booth 1058 at Medtrade in Dallas, March 27-28. They’re also presenting three educational sessions: “DME MAC Contractor Updates: Latest Information Based on 2023…ATLAS Technology’s RAMP Referral Management System to Debut at Medtrade
RAMP enables suppliers to tailor communications and support efforts per clinicians’ preferences.
ATLAS Technology’s latest technology launch is all about strengthening and nurturing suppliers’ relationships with their referral partners. The Referral Acquisition Management Program (RAMP) will officially launch at Medtrade in Dallas, March 26-28. RAMP joins the ATLAS family of software options designed especially for the home medical equipment (HME) and Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industries. A…Managed Health Care Associates Joins NHIA Advisory Council
The Future of Infusion Advocacy Council addresses issues critical to home and alternate-site infusion.
Managed Health Care Associates Inc. (MHA) has joined the National Home Infusion Association’s (NHIA) Future of Infusion Advisory Council (FIAC). In a March 15 news announcement, the NHIA described the council as “a strategic advisory group comprised of manufacturing and service companies who are intensely invested in the home and alternate site infusion industry.” The…HME Companies Unfazed by GLP-1s – For Now
More earnings calls are including discussions of the impact of these diabetes drugs on HME sales.
GLP-1s agonists – the class of medications that can help manage Type 2 diabetes and obesity – have put some in the home medical equipment (HME) market on edge. Broadly, GLP-1s such as Ozempic, Trulicity and others stimulate insulin release and reduce glucagon secretion, leading to lower blood sugar levels. While GLP-1s can prove helpful…New AAHomecare Campaign: WHY Are You in the HME Industry?
Share your reasons and visions at AAHomecare’s booth at Medtrade.
A new campaign from the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is asking people who work in the home medical equipment (HME) field to share why they’ve chosen this industry. AAHomecare’s “WHY Campaign” debuts at Medtrade in Dallas, March 26-28. In a March 14 news announcement, AAHomecare said, “The campaign, centered around the question ‘What’s your…NikoHealth Partners with Availity for Clearinghouse Services
NikoHealth’s expanded collaboration follows the Change Healthcare cyberattack.
NikoHealth, provider of all-in-one, cloud-based home medical equipment business process automation software, has expanded its relationship with Availity following the Change Healthcare cyberattack in late February. “Recognizing the critical impact of the outage caused by Change Healthcare and the significant disruption experienced by HME/DME providers in their billing and revenue cycle processes, NikoHealth took proactive…Repair Authority Appoints New CEO
A health-care industry veteran is taking over for retiring CEO Jesse Keirn.
Repair Authority has named health-care veteran Carl Kozlowski its new chief executive officer. In a March 11 news announcement, Repair Authority — a home medical equipment (HME) repair specialist headquartered in Strongsville, Ohio — said Kozlowski is replacing retiring CEO Jesse Keirn. Kozlowski has served in the health-care industry for nearly 40 years, most recently…CMS Coding Cycle Updated Coverage, Funding Policies for DME Items
How the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ruled on three home medical equipment devices.
The latest HCPCS Coding Cycle included coverage and funding determinations for a number of durable medical equipment (DME) items. Announced at the start of March, the final coding, benefit category and payment determinations followed a November 2023 meeting between industry representatives and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The March document “presents a summary…Change Healthcare Cyberattack: Service Restorations Expected to Start March 15
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra met with stakeholders March 12.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of Change Healthcare Systems, said it expects Change Healthcare to start restoring services starting on March 15, following a February cyberattack. Payments to health-care providers and businesses were interrupted when Change Healthcare disconnected its systems after the Feb. 21 attack. The company provides claims processing, provider payments, authorizations, medical necessity…People in HME See More >
Repair Authority Appoints New CEO
A health-care industry veteran is taking over for retiring CEO Jesse Keirn.
Repair Authority has named health-care veteran Carl Kozlowski its new chief executive officer. In a March 11 news announcement, Repair Authority — a home medical equipment (HME) repair specialist headquartered in Strongsville, Ohio — said Kozlowski is replacing retiring CEO Jesse Keirn. Kozlowski has served in the health-care industry for nearly 40 years, most recently…
VGM Announces New Chief Information Security Officer
The new CISO will oversee VGM’s information security and regulatory compliance.
National Home Infusion Foundation Honors Nancy Kramer with Leadership Award
Kramer is the vice president of clinical services at Optum Infusion Pharmacy.
Briefly: AARC Welcomes a Media Director; DME MACs to Welcome Providers in Dallas
Featuring the American Association for Respiratory Care, the DME MACs, and Medtrade.
Hospice Giant VITAS Healthcare Names New HME Leader
The company promoted several executives to key leadership positions.
Accreditation See More >
Briefly: Inogen to Report Results; ACHC Updates Hospice Standards
Featuring Inogen Inc. and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
Inogen to Report 2023 Financial Results Inogen Inc. will report both its fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results on Feb. 27, after the stock market closes, according to a Jan. 30 news announcement. Inogen will host a conference call on Feb. 27, starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. To listen to the conference call from…
BOC Announces Public Member Appointment
The new appointment currently serves as Senior Manager Payor Relations at Coloplast.
BOC Creates Lymphedema Accreditation As CMS Begins Coverage
The Lymphedema Treatment Act final rule went into effect on Jan. 1.
BOC Seeks Nominations for Certificant of the Year
Nominations are open through Feb. 12.
BOC Introduces 2024 Executive Committee & New Members
Cameron Stewart was announced as the Chairman of BOC’s executive committee.
COVID-19 See More >
FDA Announces Guidance Documents for End of EUA Period
Documents address upcoming end of Emergency Use Authorization for certain medical devices during COVID-19 period.
Competitive Bidding See More >
House Committee Passes Amended Version of H.R. 5555
New version excludes the 90/10 blended rate adjustment for suppliers in former CBAs.
An amended version of H.R. 5555, the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023, has been approved by the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has announced. In a Dec. 6 announcement to stakeholders, AAHomecare said the amended version of the bill “extends the 75/25 blended rate in non-CBAs [competitive bidding…
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 >
Briefly: Inogen to Report Results; ACHC Updates Hospice Standards
Featuring Inogen Inc. and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
Inogen to Report 2023 Financial Results Inogen Inc. will report both its fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results on Feb. 27, after the stock market closes, according to a Jan. 30 news announcement. Inogen will host a conference call on Feb. 27, starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. To listen to the conference call from…
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 >
Pride Mobility Launches Baja Raptor 2 4-Wheel Scooter
The newest launch is designed to tackle more rugged terrain as well as longer distances.
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 >
Samsung: FDA Authorization of Galaxy Watch Feature Will Drive Sleep Apnea Detection, Care
New feature will be available in the United States later this year.
More people might soon be seeking treatment for sleep apnea – and acquiring needed home medical equipment – due to a new feature available on the Samsung Health Monitor app. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted De Novo authorization for the sleep apnea feature on the Health Monitor app, Samsung announced on…
Quipt Home Medical CEO Touts Long-Term Tailwinds, M&A Track Record
CEO and Chairman Gregory Crawford addressed stakeholders during his company’s 2024 fiscal first-quarter earnings call.
ResMed Vet Bill Shoop Appointed CEO of React Health
Shoop began in his new role on Feb. 1.
Philips Agrees to FDA Consent Decree on Sleep, Respiratory Care Devices
The announcement was part of Philips’ report on sales results.
Philips Respironics Announces Major US Portfolio Reductions
Philips will continue to support the products through their end-of-service lifespans.
Software & IT See More >
NikoHealth Launches Electronic Medical Attachments Feature
New feature is designed to improve HME providers’ operational efficiency.
NikoHealth’s latest innovation is improving the synergies between home medical equipment suppliers and funding sources. In a Nov. 28 announcement, NikoHealth launched its Electronic Medical Attachments function, which the company said is “revolutionizing the way durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers interact with insurance payers.” The “game-changing” new functionality “allows DME suppliers to submit essential attachments…