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.