Author

HomeCare Staff

HomeCare staff Meg Herndon and Hannah Wolfson were joined by writers Kristin Easterling and Gail Short to tell these stories. Tamara Davie’s photo on page 32 was taken by Ursula Hope Photography.

  • Legislation & Regulation

    Bush Calls for Electronic Medical Records for Every American

    Minneapolis During an April 26 speech promoting innovation, President Bush set a goal that in 10 years every American should have an electronic medical record. The goal follows a call for computerization of health care records in his Jan. 20 State of the Union address. In a speech at the American Association of Community Colleges’ annual convention in Minneapolis, the president also announced the creation of a sub-Cabinet-level position for a “national health information technology coordinator” who will report directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The new coordinator will foster partnerships between the public and private sectors to speed information technology (IT) into the health care market. The announcement comes after the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) released a draft report...

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  • Legislation & Regulation

    Crapo Chairs COPD Caucus

    Washington Sen. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, has announced formation of the Congressional COPD Caucus, which will educate Americans about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and promote policies to improve the lives of COPD patients. Crapo, who will chair the caucus, will be joined by Sen. Blanch Lincoln, D-Ark., and Reps. John Lewis, D-Ga., and Cliff Stearns, R-Fla. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 24 million Americans suffer from COPD, but only about 10 percent have been diagnosed with the lung disease. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

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  • CMS/Medicare

    Noteworthy

    ‘Homebound’ Demo to Launch in October CMS will launch a two-year, three-state demonstration project Oct. 4 to clarify what defines a “homebound” patient under Medicare’s home health benefit, the agency announced. The MMA-mandated project will determine if a broader definition of “homebound” will result in higher costs for Medicare. It will be limited to no more than 15,000 beneficiaries with permanent, disabling conditions requiring daily living assistance and skilled nursing for the rest of their lives. CMS has not yet announced in which three states the project will take place. Enteral Nutrition Reimbursements Excessive, OIG Says A recent report from the HHS OIG found that Medicare reimbursements for enteral nutrition formulas are excessive. Medicare’s reimbursement for Category I formulas exceeded median contract prices available from...

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  • HME Products

    New Products

    Omron Healthcare/Electronic Nebulizer NE-U22V MicroAir Call 800/231-4030. Web site: www.omronhealthcare.com Circle 481 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information Permobil/Power Wheelchair Street Call 800/736-0925. Web site: www.permobil.com Circle 491 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information Viasys Healthcare/CPAP Interface Lyra Call 800/231-2466. Web site: www.viasyshealthcare.com Circle 482 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information Avarius/Support Pillow SleepStreme Call 866/342-8151. Web site: www.sleepstreme.com Circle 493 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information Living Independently Group/Home Health Security System QuietCare Call 866/216-4600. Web site: www.kcsa.com Circle 500 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information Sroufe/Posterior Leg Splint 4000 Call 260/894-4171. Web site: www.sroufe.com Circle 497 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information LifeCare/Toilet Seat and Shower Chair EZ Up Chair Call 800/664-8342. Web site: www.lifecareusa.com Circle 486 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information...

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  • HME Products

    Bariatrics

    Big Boyz Industries/Bed Queen Pride 1000TC Convertible Call 877/574-3233. Web site: www.bariatricbeds.com Circle 450 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Amigo Mobility/Scooter HD450 Call 800/692-6446. Web site: www.myamigo.com Circle 447 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. James Consolidated/Turning Mattress Panda III Call 800/884-3317. Web site: www.volkner.com Circle 433 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Pride Mobility Products/Lift Chair GL-555 Call 800/800-8586. Web site: www.pridemobility.com Circle 444 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Altimate Medical/Heavy-Duty Stander EasyStand 5000 XL Call 800/342-8968. Web site: www.easystand.com Circle 436 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Drive Medical/Oversized Commode 11130-2 Call 877/224-0946. Web site: www.drivemedical.com Circle 437 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Invacare Corp./Power Wheelchair Pronto M94 Call 800/333-6900. Web site: www.invacare.com Circle 446 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company...

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  • Providers

    Editor’s Inbox

    Charitable Approach Responding to comments in reference to “Scooter Store Lays Off 200” (February 2003), Volunteers of America of Texas, in our due diligence prior to engaging with The Scooter Store, found them to be very honorable. We have since worked together to distribute refurbished power chairs to several needy clients. Their work with the low-income, underserved community was done with grace and compassion. — David A. North, president/CEO, Volunteers of America of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas Strength in Numbers In the information I submitted for the Top Providers report (April 2004), I inadvertently listed our full-time employees as 7 instead of 117. Each of the 117 employees deserves recognition for their part in our success. They have seen the company go from $2 million...

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  • Operations

    Building a Business Niche by Niche

    Jack Palance had it right. In the 1991 comedy “City Slickers,” Palance slowly leaned over to Billy Crystal and divulged his secret to life: one thing. That may be the secret to business, too, at least for some providers. In the wake of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), HME owners are scrambling to optimize business plans and stay on track for long-term success. According to some industry experts, a good option may well lie in one thing — expanding your business to solve the problems of a specific customer group. In other words, your future could be hiding in one or more of HME’s niche markets. Specialty — or niche — business has a seductive sound, especially as the respiratory and mobility markets, long the...

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  • HME Products

    RESPIRATORY PRODUCT GALLERY

    CONSERVING DEVICES Victor Medical/Conserver O2N Demand II Call 800/382-8187. Web site: www.victormed.com Circle 500 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Allied Healthcare/Conserver Mini Liberty Call 800/444-0105. Web site: www.alliedhpi.com Circle 499 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Responsive Respiratory/Conserver Respond O2 Ultra-light Conserver System Call 866/333-4030. Web site: www.respondo2.com Circle 498 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. OXIMETERS Smiths Medical PM/Finger Oximeter BCI Digit Call 800/558-2345. Web site: www.smiths-medical.com Circle 494 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Nellcor/Oximeter OxiMax NPB-75 Handheld Capnograph and Pulse Oximeter Call 800/635-5267. Web site: www.nellcor.com Circle 493 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. CONCENTRATORS AirSep Corp./Oxygen Concentrator QuietLife 5 Call 888/874-0202. Web site: www.airsep.com Circle 450 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. OxLife/Concentrator Excel Call 800/780-2616. Web site: www.oxlife.com Circle...

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  • Providers

    HomeCaring Award 2004

    Given in recognition of distinguished service to the home medical equipment industry, HomeCare magazine’s prestigious HomeCaring Awards honor those whose dedication and commitment — in any aspect of the industry — defines the “caring” that HME is all about. This year, we invite you to nominate any individual who you feel has made a true difference in HME. And don’t just tell us who they are — tell us why they deserve the HomeCaring Award. Your nominations may recognize a lifetime of quiet, dedicated service to a small community miles from the nearest metropolis. Or you may point out a person whose pursuit of excellence in service or advocacy has had a national impact. The entries will be judged by a panel of industry professionals...

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  • CMS/Medicare

    CMS Launches New Power Wheelchair Initiative, To Split K0011 Code

    Washington The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched an aggressive three-pronged initiative focusing on power wheelchair coverage, payment and quality controls for suppliers. The campaign was announced by recently appointed CMS Administrator Mark McClellan on April 28, and outlined by Herbert Kuhn, director of CMS’ Center for Medicare Management, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on power wheelchair fraud and abuse held the same day. The committee oversees the Medicare program and has been investigating the reasons for a dramatic increase in power wheelchair claims. “CMS has cracked down on fraud and abuse in the wheelchair market, including the launch of Operation Wheeler Dealer last fall in collaboration with the [Department of Health and Human Services] Office of the Inspector General,” said...

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