HomeCare News

ResMed, San Diego, has announced record revenue and income for the quarter ended March 31. Revenue for the 2009 quarter was $227.9 million, an 8 percent increase (a 16 percent increase on a constant currency basis) over the 2008 quarter. Income from operations was $52.5 million and net income was $39.2 million, an increase of 40 percent and 32 percent, respectively, compared to last year's results. Earnings per share were $0.51, an increase of 34 percent over the same quarter in 2008.

The Practicing Clinicians Exchange said last week it will partner with the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation to provide continuing education programs to nurse practitioners and physician assistants on RLS. According to the PCE, one in 10 Americans has RLS, which is characterized by an irrestible urge to move th legs. Symptoms often occur at night, disrupting sleep and causing a reduced quality of life.

WASHINGTON--On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Bill Corr as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. He fills the No. 2 spot at the department and will work with newly sworn-in HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as the national debate on health reform heats up.
 

RICHMOND, Va.--One press report calls it the sign of a new digital age, and another says it’s the next cable movie: Hackers claim to have stolen 8.3 million confidential health records from a Virginia state government site and are holding them for a $10 million ransom.
 

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.--Air Products announced earlier today the company has sold all of its U.S. home infusion therapy business and some elements of its respiratory and HME business to Walgreens subsidiary OptionCare Enterprises. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
 

WASHINGTON--For the second time, the Federal Trade Commission has delayed enforcement of its new “Red Flags” rules requiring the implementation of identity theft prevention programs. The rules had been set for enforcement May 1, but in a last-minute decision April 30, the commission pushed its compliance deadline back three months to Aug. 1.
 

ARLINGTON, Va.--More than half (53 percent) of the nation's home medical equipment and service providers have formal plans to respond to a pandemic flu and another 23 percent have stockpiled N95 masks or other supplies related to a flu pandemic, according to a survey conducted by the American Association for Homecare. Two-thirds say they are coordinating or communicating with other organizations in their communities to prepare for a pandemic.
 

BALTIMORE — As of today, HME companies applying for a new National Provider Identifier must have a $50,000 surety bond in order to be approved as a Medicare provider.

ATLANTA — As the federal government rolled out a massive effort to contain the H1N1 flu last week, consumers across the country went on a buying spree for masks and hand gel in an attempt to protect themselves from the virus.

John Woolard of Concord, Calif.-based Home Med-Equip said the company's retail store in Modesto sold 245 masks in three days.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Last week the American Association for Homecare noted the current flu outbreak is a reminder of the key role that home care providers will likely play in responding to an influenza pandemic.

WASHINGTON — With the government's response to the H1N1 flu outbreak in full swing, newly sworn in Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius can begin to focus attention on other matters. And not a moment too soon, HME observers say, as CMS is waiting in the wings on a restart of competitive bidding.

ATLANTA — Members of the second Program Advisory and Oversight Committee said Friday they are hopeful they can have a positive impact on DMEPOS competitive bidding as the rebid process moves forward.

RAC 'Em Up: CMS Continues New Audit Program Outreach

SAN FRANCISCO — With its Recovery Audit Contractors going live in some states in March, CMS continues area outreach on the new audit program this week with three sessions at its San Francisco regional office. In-person sessions are also set for Texas this month.

WATERBURY, Conn. — Health Complex Medical celebrates 25 years in business this month, founded by Jack Hogan and Ed Sklanka in May 1984. Specializing in oxygen and sleep therapy, the company now employs 60 people and has two branches serving Connecticut in addition to the main location in Waterbury.

WASHINGTON--The Senate has confirmed Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Although Republicans expressed concern over her pro-abortion stances and tax issues, Sebelius won confirmation for the nation’s top health care post in a 65-31 vote yesterday. The last of the Cabinet nominees awaiting confirmation, Sebelius was sworn in shortly thereafter in a ceremony with President Obama.

WASHINGTON--In a focused lobbying effort last week, supporters hit Capitol Hill offices to advocate for a separate benefit category for complex rehab.
 
Held April 21 during the Continuing Education and Legislative Advocacy Conference, members of the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology and the National Registry of Rehab Technology Specialists made more than 100 visits to legislative offices.
 

EVANSTON, Ill.--DM Systems was founded in 1979 when Denis Drennan, an orthopedic surgeon, could not find a quality product on the market to treat pressure ulcers. His solution was to design a soft foam boot that would suspend the heel to promote a pressure-free environment. Thirty years later, the company’s Heelift Suspension Boot continues to be used in health care facilities worldwide.
 

ELYRIA, Ohio--Invacare's Corp.'s Team Invacare placed first in the men's wheelchair division and second in the women's wheelchair division in the 113th Boston Marathon last week.
 

ATLANTA — HME providers who won contracts in the aborted Round One of DMEPOS competitive bidding last year plan to campaign against the newest attempt to implement the program, they told HomeCare Monday last week.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida providers are scrambling to quash an effort that would establish a competitive bidding program for the state's Medicaid consumables program.

A bill to be voted on this week would mandate a competitive bidding program for all incontinence and medical consumables by December. Providers say such a move would decrease beneficiaries' access to quality health care and raise costs.