January 2012

Idaho’s Medicaid cuts create job losses, mental health woes

Jan 30, 2012 – Idaho’s $35 million in Medicaid cuts have eliminated thousands of jobs, hurt disabled recipients and...

Rate of Americans without health insurance continues to climb

Jan 30, 2012 – The Gallup and Healthways polling organization reported last week that more American adults lacked health...

CBIC clarifies its clarification on credit reporting deadline

Jan 30, 2012 – The Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America (AMEPA) has done some more digging into the issue of...

Round 1 study triggers alarm, call for Congressional intervention

Jan 30, 2012 – An analysis of data from Round 1 of competitive bidding is so alarming that Congress must stop expansion of...

Costs for stroke treatment exceed Medicare reimbursement

Jan 26, 2012 – A recent study in the journal Stroke found that stroke treatment using intravenous thrombolysis costs U.S....

Hospice shows slight growth and declining length of service

Jan 26, 2012 – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s annual report, “Facts and Figures: Hospice...

Round 2 credit report deadline Jan. 30, Bid Prep consultant warns

Jan 26, 2012 – Bid Prep Inc., a consulting company for providers participating in the Competitive Bidding Program, sent a...

Maryland licensing problems for Round 2 get CMS attention

Jan 26, 2012 – Licensing problems associated with Round 2 of the Competitive Bidding Program have made their way on to the...

HME claims plummet in Round 1 areas; patient risks skyrocket

Jan 26, 2012 – The American Association for Homecare reported last week that an analysis of data from Round 1 of the Competitive...

CBIC clarifies its clarification on credit reporting deadline

Jan 25, 2012 – The Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America (AMEPA) has done some more digging on the issue of when...

Cramton study now available on "startling and dramatic" data from Round 1 of competitive bidding

Jan 19, 2012 – A 165-page, groundbreaking study of data from Round 1 of competitive bidding is now available. Peter Cramton,...

Golden Technologies releases newest power chair, the Alante Sport

Jan 16, 2012 – Golden Technologies of Old Forge, Pa., last week launched its newest power chair in the Golden line, the Alanté...

HHS estimates savings from electronic standards at $4.5 billion over decade

Jan 16, 2012 – New standards for electronic funds transfers in health care will save up to $4.5 billion in administrative...

CMS makes three competitive bidding announcements

Jan 13, 2012 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made three announcements last week for Round 2 and...

HME providers encouraged to contact lawmakers about MPP

Jan 13, 2012 – It’s important for HME providers to ask their representatives and senators to support the Market Pricing...

Medicare spending for HME shows zero growth in 2010

Jan 13, 2012 – HME spending hit $7.5 billion in 2010, which represents no growth compared to the previous year, according...

Target deadline today for backup authorized officials to register for competitive bidding

Jan 12, 2012 – Today is the target deadline for backup authorized officials (BAOs) to register for Round 2 and national mail-order...

U.S. heart attack patients more likely to be readmitted to hospital, study finds

Jan 09, 2012 – U.S. patients who experience a common type of heart attack were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital...

CMS developing new method for transmitting medical documentation

Jan 09, 2012 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a new method for contractors to receive...

PAOC expiration strips HME of voice on bidding issues, says AAHomecare

Jan 09, 2012 – The HME sector is losing its only public sounding board for discussing concerns about Medicare’s vast...