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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

    Provider NewsWire

    VGM Group Launches New Resources, Announces Partnership Waterloo, Iowa The VGM Group launched vgmMESA.net, a Web-based resource for state and regional medical equipment providers’ associations, at Medtrade, held last month in Atlanta. The new resource includes D.C. Link, which provides access to state and local political and regulatory officials; an Association Directors’ Toolkit, which allows executive directors to communicate electronically with their association members and other directors; Medicaid and HIPAA libraries; presentations for use in educational seminars; and draft letters to legislators. In other VGM news, The Motion Group of Canada, an association of 24 specialized rehabilitation equipment providers, will merge its operations with VGM. The Motion Group will continue to operate as a separate entity. VGM also has signed an agreement with Atlanta-based Fidelis...

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  • Legislation & Regulation

    ACHC Prepares for ISO 9001: 2000 Certification

    Raleigh, N.C. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is preparing for ISO 9001: 2000 certification. ACHC said it is taking the step to control growth, improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and achieve a higher level of competency, among other factors. “We are submitting ourselves to outside peer review the same as those companies that go through our accreditation process,” said ACHC President and CEO Tom Cesar. ACHC’s accreditation programs include HME; home infusion; rehab technology supplier services; home health; hospice; women’s health care; specialty pharmacy; and medical supply provider services. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

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  • Providers

    HIAA and AAHP Members Vote to Merge

    Washington On Oct. 20, members of the Health Insurance Association of American and the American Association of Health Plans voted to merge their two organizations, creating a formidable lobbying powerhouse. Directors of the two trade groups voted to unify the associations during board meetings in late September. The association will be known as AAHP/HIAA until the combined board approves a new name. AAHP/HIAA members provide coverage for more than 200 million Americans. The directors of the two groups have asked AAHP President Karen Ignagni to lead the new association. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

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  • Providers

    Miclot Tapped to Lead Respironics

    Murrysville, Pa. Respironics has appointed John Miclot president and CEO of the respiratory products manufacturer, effective Dec. 1. Miclot succeeds James Liken, who has been president and CEO since 1999. Liken will assume the newly created role of vice chairman of the company, which is an advisory position only, he said during a press briefing last month. Liken added that he will remain active in the Alexandria, Va.-based American Association for Homecare and in government relations. Miclot most recently was chief strategic officer of Respironics and previously was president of the company’s home care division. He joined the company in 1998 as group vice president, sleep disorders, and had been senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Theradyne, which was acquired by Respironics in 1998....

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  • Legislation & Regulation

    Houston Power Wheelchair Indictment Unsealed

    Houston The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has released details of a Houston power wheelchair fraud case that caused the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement its “Operation Wheeler Dealer” crackdown. U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby’s office unsealed a 101-count indictment charging six individuals with conspiracy, health care fraud and receiving or paying illegal kickbacks in the multi-million-dollar scheme. The defendants allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid a total of $32 million and received $16 million for fraudulent claims, according to the indictment. Dr. Anant Mauskar, owner of a Houston medical clinic, is alleged to have routinely received kickbacks from owners of DME companies and individuals for falsely prescribing power wheelchairs. Nadine Norman, Mauskar’s office manager, is accused of setting and receiving...

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  • Providers

    Manufacturer NewsWire

    Invacare Debuts Value Model Subsidiary, Reports 3Q Earnings Elyria, Ohio Invacare debuted its value model subsidiary, Professional Medical Imports (PMI), at Medtrade in October. PMI products are marketed and sold under the ProBasics brand. “In order for Invacare Corporation to participate in the value segment of the market, we launched PMI, a wholly owned subsidiary,” said Lou Slangen, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Invacare, who added that PMI caters to “providers looking for basic products where pricing is the primary driver.” PMI, based in Marlboro, N.J., has distribution centers in Calhoun, Ga., and Edison, N.J. A third location in Southern California is scheduled to open early this month. Scott Hassel is president. Invacare’s net earnings for the third quarter of 2003, ended...

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  • Legislation & Regulation

    Leading the Charge

    “Here in Washington, we encourage everyone to speak with one voice by ensuring all of our efforts are focused on one message,” according to Kay Cox, president of the Alexandria, Va.-based American Association for Homecare. And, she says, she intends for that home care message to be heard. Immediately after stepping into her new role on June 1, Cox was faced with leading the charge against proposed Medicare reform measures — competitive bidding, copayment of the home health benefit — that she labels as “very harmful to home care patients and providers.” Though at press time the legislation was stalled in conference committee, the association continues to press the home care cause with a concerted national lobbying effort and a companion grassroots campaign. Cox has...

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  • Provider News

    ACHC Announces New Affiliations: The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Raleigh, N.C., announced new affiliations with the Amarillo, Texas-based law firm Brown & Fortunato, and the Oxford, Mich.-based buying group Essentially Women. Brown & Fortunato, whose attorneys specialize in representing durable medical equipment companies, hospitals and physicians, will provide ACHC’s customers with educational materials and legal and legislative updates, the organization said. ACHC’s strategic partnership with Essentially Women will focus on standardizing business practices within the women’s health industry, according to Cindy Ciardo of Essentially Women. In other ACHC-related news, The Scooter Store, New Braunfels, Texas, announced it has met all of the initial requirements for ACHC accreditation. Continental Home Healthcare Acquires Rehab Company: Continental Home Healthcare, Glendale, Calif., has acquired MK Medical, a customized...

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  • Operations

    Rise & Shine with HomeCare

    Beginning the show each morning of Medtrade 2003, HomeCare magazine will sponsor an opening session designed to get your day going with a focus on the future. These information-packed daily seminars will spotlight legislative issues, business forecasting and strategies for professional achievement that will keep you informed, get you prepared and move you toward success in home health care’s changing landscape. First up on Thursday, Oct. 9, the American Association for Homecare will present its “Washington Update,” where you will learn about the association’s fight against competitive bidding and other reimbursement-reducing legislation currently facing the industry. Never before has it been so important to understand how decisions in Washington can affect your company. Hear first-hand what issues are being discussed, what they mean for you,...

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