Medtrade 2006 Opens This Week

ATLANTA–Competitive bidding, accreditation, reimbursement
changes–the current state of the industry may look to providers
more like a war zone than a marketplace. But with more than 800
exhibitors and a slew of educational seminars on tap, Medtrade 2006
looks ready to arm them for battle.

The venerable trade show kicks off Tuesday with sessions in 13
tracks, including accreditation, business operations, industry
updates, oxygen/respiratory issues, reimbursement and
sleep-disordered breathing. In addition to the conference program,
the three-day event will feature an expansive exhibit floor,
pavilions highlighting the latest technology and networking events
for attendees to connect with peers.

“The industry is really at a crossroads based on all the recent
legislation that has passed and/or is about to happen this year,”
said Art Ellis, group vice president of the Medtrade shows. “I’m
talking of course about competitive bidding, oxygen provisions,
reimbursement and [new power wheelchair] codes, just to name a few.
Medtrade provides many of the solutions to these challenges through
the educational sessions.

“A vast majority of providers need to change the way they
currently conduct business,” Ellis continued. “It starts with
looking closely at their current business model and not being
afraid to make difficult decisions. I strongly urge attendees to
take advantage of the conferences at Medtrade that will enable them
to better understand new opportunities for future growth. More
importantly, the conference addresses many of the topics providers
need to stay in business.”

To maximize your time at the three-day event:

Kick Off the Show with What You Need to Know!
Get started early with an overview from the experts on HME’s most
pressing topics. Presented by HomeCare, members of the
magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board will share up-to-the-minute
reports on quality standards and accreditation, competitive
bidding, reimbursement changes and more.

• Cara C. Bachenheimer, vice president, government relations,
  Invacare Corp.–Get the scoop on competitive bidding, and hear the
  latest on CMS’ implementation timeline.
• Neil B. Caesar, president, Health Law Center–You can’t forget
  that along with everything else on your plate, CMS has renewed its
  efforts on fraud and abuse and compliance issues.
• Mary Ellen Conway, president, Capital Healthcare Group–Hear
  the play-by-play of CMS’ most recent turnaround on supplier quality
  standards and mandatory accreditation–and the questions that
  remain.
• Miriam Lieber, president, Lieber Consulting–Steel yourself for
  this comprehensive update on reimbursement changes and the new
  forms and claims requirements that continue to roll out.
• Wallace Weeks, President, Weeks Group–Leave this high-impact
  session with a “Provider Action Plan” of the steps you need to take
  NOW to protect your business.

Come hear where things stand in HME’s new environment and find
out how your company can remain successful. The session
will be held at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, in Room B313 at the Georgia
World Congress Center.

Other session highlights include:

Report from the PAOC
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Dave Kazynski, president of VGM’s Homelink division, will review
the actions of the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee, formed
to advise CMS on competitive bidding.

Award Winner Panels
All three days, 8:30 a.m.
HME Excellence and HomeCaring award winners in rehab, respiratory
and HME will share their strategies for building and operating a
successful and profitable business.

AAHomecare Washington Update
Tuesday, 4 p.m.
The American Association for Homecare will discuss the hot
legislative and regulatory issues affecting home care and what to
do about them.

NCART Regulatory and Legislative Update
Wednesday, 4 p.m.
National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology President
Rita Hostak will report on the coalition’s recent efforts.

NSC Update
Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Brian Banks, NSC ombudsman, will be on hand to answer questions
about the DMEPOS enrollment process and other updates.

Oxygen Update–The Latest Information on the Oxygen NPRM
and Competitive Bidding
Wednesday, 4 p.m.
The status and current activity on the notice of proposed
rulemaking on oxygen and competitive bidding will be discussed by
Bob Fary, vice president of sales, Inogen Corp., and Marcia
Nusgart, executive director, Coalition of Respiratory Care
Manufacturers.

For a full schedule, visit www.medtrade.com.