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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.

  • Providers

    Medtrade Packs a Punch

    Atlanta More than 21,000 home medical equipment providers and manufacturers packed Medtrade 2003, held Oct. 9-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Highlights of the annual conference and tradeshow included updates on federal and state legislative issues, innovative new products and interactive booths. For a wrap-up of the event, see the “Medtrade 2003 Report” on page 32. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

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  • Providers

    What’s HOT in HME

    As home medical equipment providers gathered for Medtrade last month in Atlanta, members of HomeCare‘s Editorial Advisory Board got together to talk about the industry’s state of affairs. In the process, these respected HME professionals — the consultants, lobbyists, attorneys and providers that we all turn to for advice — looked ahead to the newest challenges: Medicaid cuts, professionalism and the art of remaining profitable in a tough market. The roundtable exchange also encouraged ideas about how providers can deal with these emerging business concerns, which are certain to affect their companies on a day-to-day basis. A list of the magazine’s participating Editorial Advisory Board members accompanies this article. We hope you learn — and benefit — from reading their comments as you prepare for...

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  • HME Products

    Diabetes/Incontinence

    TheraSense/Blood Glucose Meter FreeStyle Flash System Call 800/788-0516. Web site: www.therasense.com Circle 450 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Orthofeet/Diabetic Footwear Women’s Diabetic Shoe Model 712 Call 800/524-2845. Web site: www.orthofeet.com Circle 448 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. First Quality Products/Protective Underwear Prevail Extra Large Call 800/227-3551. Web site: www.firstquality.com Circle 449 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Mentor/Catheter Self-Cath Closed System Call 800/328-3863. Web site: www.mentorcorp.com Circle 443 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Hygienics Industries/Protective Undergarment Safe and Dry Line Call 800/498-7051. Web site: www.hygienics.com Circle 447 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. SCA Incontinence Care/Protective Underwear TENA Protective Underwear, Extra Absorbency Call 800/992-9932. Web site: www.tena-usa.com Circle 446 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Principle Business Enterprises/Bariatric Disposable Brief Tranquility XL+...

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  • CMS/Medicare

    CMS Issues Home Health Market Report

    Baltimore The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Health Care Industry Market Update, its first since June 2002, reveals that American home health spending totaled $45.3 billion in 2001, with the home health agency segment accounting for $33.2 billion. The remaining annual expenditures came from respiratory therapy at $4.5 billion; infusion therapy, $4.7 billion; and DME, $2.9 billion. Among other findings, the study calls the respiratory therapy market “very fragmented,” with more than 2,000 local providers making up half the market, but says that large respiratory and infusion therapy companies show strong operational and financial performance. Where strategic and attractively priced targets are available, these companies are actively consolidating the industry. The full report is available at www.cms.hhs.gov/reports/hcimu/default.asp. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the...

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  • Providers

    Product Innovation, Legislative Updates Draw 21,000 to Medtrade Show

    Atlanta Despite looming Medicare reform legislation and a moratorium on new supplier numbers, attendance was strong at Medtrade 2003, held Oct. 9-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The HME industry trade show drew more than 21,000 home medical equipment providers and other home health care professionals for the second straight year. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., opened the show with an address to attendees at the American Association for Homecare’s “Washington Update,” sponsored by HomeCare. Ross, who strongly opposes competitive bidding provisions in H.R. 1, the House of Representatives version of Medicare reform, said there is a great deal of ignorance on Capitol Hill about the HME business and how providers work. “Many members think you pick a price you want to charge and send...

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  • CMS/Medicare

    CMS to Process Some Supplier Numbers

    Baltimore Responding to concerns regarding the National Supplier Clearinghouse provider-number moratorium, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Tom Scully said the agency will process some provider numbers this month. During an Oct. 7 CMS Open Door Forum covering home health, hospice and DME, Scully said CMS staff and its regional offices would look at new supplier numbers on a case-by-case basis starting Nov. 1. He said whether a company is issued a number or not will depend on, among other factors, how far along a provider is in the application process. Scully warned, however, that applications from providers entering the program for the first time are not likely to see an outcome until January 2004. Although he apologized for any hardship providers face because...

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  • HME Products

    New Products

    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare/Nasal Mask FlexiFit Series HC405 Call 800/446-3908. Web site: www.fphcare.com Circle 500 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Ulster Scientific/Asthma Monitoring Device WhistleWatch Call 845/255-2200. Web site: www.ulsterscientific.com Circle 498 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Andonian Cryogenics/Liquid Oxygen Delivery System Liquid Oxygen Van Tanks Call 800/446-3533. Web site: www.andoniancryogenics.com Circle 494 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. FLA Orthopedics/Night Splint HealWell Cub Call 800/327-4110. Web site: www.flaorthopedics.com Circle 497 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Innovation in Motion/Wheelchair Jewel SP Self Propelled Manual Wheelchair Call 800/327-0681. Web site: www.vestil.com/wc Circle 496 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. ResMed/Nasal Mask Mirage Activa Call 800/424-0737. Web site: www.resmed.com Circle 495 or visit www.homecaremag.com for company information. Eagle Health Supplies/ADLs Snap-n-Save Product Line Call...

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  • Providers

    Editor’s Inbox

    Big or Small, Providers Prove They Can Weather the Storm [Regarding the article “East Coast Providers Weather Isabel,” HomeCare Monday, Sept. 22], we were the first and only DME company here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We, too, followed up on all of our oxygen patients before the storm. Charlie Watson of the Emergency Medical Services along with Dare County Home Health and Ellie Ward assisted me in making sure patients that were not even under my care were provided for during the hurricane if needed. Once again, the little guy comes through. — Michael Melson, owner, Advantage Medcare Systems, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Manufacturers Have a Role in Fraud Prevention The federal government should realize that the provider cannot commit fraud without...

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  • Providers

    HomeCaring Awards Presented

    HomeCare has presented Donald H. Adler, president and CEO of Care Medical and Rehabilitation Equipment, Portland, Ore., and David T. Williams, legislative affairs consultant, Invacare, Elyria, Ohio, with the HomeCaring Award for 2003. Sponsored by Medtrade, the awards honor those whose dedication and commitment defines the “caring” that HME is all about. “Medtrade is pleased to sponsor the 2003 HomeCaring Awards because they exemplify the true spirit of the industry,” said Cory Smith, group show director for Medtrade. “This year’s recipients are well-deserving of this award, and prove that this industry is founded on those who continually provide quality care that exceeds expectations.” Adler and Williams were chosen from nominations submitted by HomeCare‘s readers and judged by a five-member panel of industry professionals, including Jerold...

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