Provider NewsWire

Legislative

NYMEP Forms Coalition to Fight Cut for Dual Eligibles: In its ongoing battle to block a state budget cut that would reduce Medicaid reimbursement for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, the New York Medical Equipment Providers association has joined forces with 11 consumer health care advocacy groups, including the American Lung Association, the Center for Disability Rights, the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, the United Ostomy Association and others.

Dubbing their campaign “unintended consequences,” the coalition last month published an open letter in the state’s Legislative Gazette, which is “widely read by state policy-writers,” according to Jacqueline Negri, NYMEP’s executive director. The letter explained that cutting reimbursements for dually eligible beneficiaries will have far-reaching negative consequences. “This cut will put the poor elderly and people with disabilities…at risk of losing access to equipment and supplies which permit full independence and which, in many cases, are life-sustaining,” the letter said.

Restoring the reimbursement cut would cost only $800,000, which is “a rounding error in the $90 billion plus [state] budget,” the letter concluded.

In other NYMEP news, the association has elected a new board-of-directors president: Gloria Murray, member service representative for VGM & Associates.

Training & Certification

NHIA Develops Certification for Home Infusion Pharmacists: The National Home Infusion Association, Alexandria, Va., has developed a national certificate program for home infusion pharmacists — a program the association hopes will become “the primary training vehicle for all pharmacists entering home infusion practice.” The first of a series of training modules now is available. Six additional modules will be available later this year. Providers interested in registering may visit www.nhianet.org/education/certprogram.html.

VMI Develops Dealer Training Program: Phoenix-based Vantage Mobility International has launched the VMI Certified Mobility Consultant program, a video training series designed to provide sales training to dealers of VMI products. According to VMI officials, the program “exhibits the skills sets needed to be successful in selling to the changing customer by identifying the necessary steps in the selling process.” VMI plans for the program to be the first in a series of training programs for its dealers.

Noteworthy

AAHomecare Retains Lobbying Firm: As beneficiaries face possible new cuts in Medicare funding, the American Association for Homecare, Alexandria, Va., has retained Patton Boggs as its principal lobbying firm for home health care matters. Martha Kendrick will serve as lead lobbyist.

CareCentric’s Net Earnings: The March 17 edition of HomeCare Monday incorrectly reported CareCentric’s net earnings. The story should have said, “CareCentric reported a net profit for the year ended Dec. 31, 2002, of $293,000.”

Coram Files Reorganization Plan: Denver-based Coram Healthcare, a national home infusion company that has been in bankruptcy for nearly three years, filed a reorganization plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware May 2. A court hearing for the trustee’s disclosure statement was scheduled to take place take place June 5, 2003.

For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.