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…
Feature Stories See More >
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
‘One of the Largest Medicare Fraud Schemes in History’: $100M DME Scam Yields 9-Year Prison Sentence
The case was part of Operation Brace Yourself.
A 48-year-old resident of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for his involvement in a nearly $100 million health-care fraud scheme. The scheme centered on the payment of kickbacks and bribes in exchange for unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) orders, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s…AAHomecare: HME Suppliers Suffering Ongoing Disruptions Following Change Healthcare Cyberattack
The American Association for Homecare has sent letters to Congressional leaders and payers to advocate for supplier support.
Home medical equipment (HME) suppliers continue to suffer disruptions in claims and payment processing after the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) said in a March 20 bulletin. In response to what AAHomecare called an “unprecedented disruption,” the association said it has sent letters the week of March 11 to Congressional…VITAS HME Leader: ‘There Is an Urgent Need and Expectation for HME Providers to Evolve’
Examining the link between optimal hospice care and home medical equipment.
Timely access to home medical equipment (HME) can often be a major pain point for hospice providers. When HME isn’t brought into the home when needed, it greatly reduces their patients’ quality of life and clinical outcomes. In light of this reality, many hospice providers are starting to prioritize their HME strategies, whether that’s through…WHILL Launches Urban Mobility Scooter for Active Seniors
The Model Ri will make its official debut at Medtrade.
The latest launch from WHILL Inc. is aimed at active seniors, but also addresses a balance issue common to many three-wheeled scooters. In a March 20 news announcement, WHILL launched the Model Ri, which the Tokyo-based manufacturer described as “an urban mobility scooter designed for active seniors with the best-in-class turning radius and first and…HME Increasingly Recognized as Critical Aspect of Hospital-at-Home Programs
Examining the future of the “hospital-without-walls” model.
Home medical equipment (HME) is a critical, but sometimes overlooked aspect of one of health-care’s hottest trends: the hospital-at-home model. The hospital-at-home concept has existed in the U.S. for years, but it has failed to gain momentum for several reasons, including supply-chain challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic advanced the model in a rapid way, with the…CarelonRX Acquires Kroger Specialty Pharmacy
Kroger’s Specialty Pharmacy division serves customers with chronic illnesses.
CarelonRx, a subsidiary of Elevance Health, has purchased Kroger Specialty Pharmacy from The Kroger Co. “Kroger Specialty Pharmacy has been part of our company since 2012, and we want to thank our management team and associates for their enduring commitment to their patients,” Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, said in a March 19 press…CMS Monitoring Report Shows Decrease in Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Use
NHIA expresses concern over patient access to home infusion.
The most recent home infusion therapy (HIT) monitoring report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shows declines in the number of providers who participated and the number of Medicare beneficiaries who used home infusion therapy services. The February 2024 report includes data through the second quarter of 2023, which was compared to…RedSail Technologies Partners with Storbie to Support Community Pharmacies
The collaboration aims to help community pharmacies improve their online presence.
RedSail Technologies, provider of software solutions for pharmacies, has partnered with Storbie to launch RedSail Websites, described in a March 19 news announcement as “a website solution tailored specifically for community pharmacies.” Storbie is a website and e-commerce platform based in New Zealand. Its goal, according to the announcement, is to “make it easy for…Tomorrow Health CEO: Continued Home-Based Care Innovation Presents ‘Extraordinary Opportunity’ for HME Providers
Vijay Kedar says the company aims to reshape the patient experience through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.
Tomorrow Health, a pioneering startup in home-based care, is aiming to lead the charge in revolutionizing patient wellness. Under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Vijay Kedar, the company is dedicated to reshaping the patient experience through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships. Tomorrow Health partners with providers of home-based care, home medical equipment (HME) suppliers,…Briefly: Cardinal Health’s Environmental Plan Wins Approval; VGM Heartland Opens Registration
Featuring Cardinal Health and VGM & Associates.
Cardinal Health’s Environmental Plan Wins SBTi Approval Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved Cardinal Health’s near-term science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and contributing to a more sustainable world,” said Megan Maltenfort, Cardinal Health’s vice president of environmental, social and governance, in a March…People in HME See More >
Fisher & Paykel Board Chair to Retire in August
Scott St John will step down following the company’s shareholders’ meeting.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Board Chair Scott St John will retire following the company’s shareholders’ meeting in August. In the March 8 announcement, Fisher & Paykel said its board had elected current Director Neville Mitchell to replace St John, who has been the chair since August 2020. St John joined the Fisher & Paykel board…
Repair Authority Appoints New CEO
A health-care industry veteran is taking over for retiring CEO Jesse Keirn.
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.
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…