Editor’s Inbox

Salary Solidarity

Our company is currently looking into salaries to see if we are over, under or on average with the industry. I understand that you have salary comparisons for DME and rehab positions, etc. If you could direct me to that information, I would appreciate it.
— Mike Bales, CRTS, Med-Response Inc., Bluefield, W. Va.

Editor’s Note: Each year, HomeCare magazine conducts a compensation survey of home medical equipment providers throughout the country. Regarding salaries, HomeCare’s research looks at 15 positions ranging from billing clerk to company president to deliver an industry average for each title. Our annual survey also includes information on raises, benefits and bonuses. To view portions of the latest survey, visit www.homecaremag.com and select October 2004 from the list of archived issues. For a complete copy of the results, click the button titled “Purchase Exclusive HomeCare Research.”

Ode to Indifference

I am amazed at the general lack of knowledge and concern about competitive bidding — the impending redesign and realignment of our industry.

There really is no excuse for owners and executives not to know what is being considered by CMS … The general attitude is that whatever is going to happen [will happen, and] those who should know will somehow adjust and survive.

How many know, or have some idea, of the CMS time line for implementation? Where will it all begin? When could it affect your area? What product lines are being considered? What effect are “quality standards” going to have on your ability to “compete” to serve Medicare beneficiaries when competitive bidding arrives on your doorstep? How much preparation time and effort are you going to need to make your company minimally eligible to bid or even to bill Medicare for any item, whether it is selected for competitive bidding or not? What is your company’s time line for survival? Can your business survive without having Medicare in your payer mix? Will you be able to survive to be around for the second round of competitive bidding? Should you seriously consider selling?

The information you need is available. Go find it.

Organizations, state and national, are involved, but are you a member? Are you satisfied with their efforts? Are you getting involved so you have a basic understanding of the issues and the definitions of the terms that will determine your continued ability to service Medicare beneficiaries in the next three years and after? Do you really believe Congress and this administration are going to reverse themselves and throw out the whole idea of competitive bidding? They have a greater majority now than when the [Medicare Modernization Act] was passed.

There are many more questions to be considered; unfortunately, most owners and executives don’t know enough to formulate them. The truth is those of us in the know are happy with your indifference. You are removing yourselves from the competition — and who really wants more of that?
— Dennis Trach, Grand Island, N.Y.

The Big Fix

I read your article (“The Big Fix,” Spring 2005, HomeCareXtra) with a great deal of interest. Jim Greatorex hit the nail on the head … in regard to a national company that had delivered [unusable] equipment. Multiply that by hundreds of providers that can tell you the same story they hear each and every day … Providers have been reporting this action for years, [and it has fallen] on deaf ears. I firmly believe that, finally, some positive action is being taken. Yes, we need changes in an outdated system of paperwork. But we need action on reported fraud. It’s time we consider the beneficiaries and taxpayers.
— Byron Green, Scooters/Wheelchairs Too Inc., Gun Barrel City, Texas