Banner Health opened its first home medical equipment (HME) clinic in Casper, Wyoming

CASPER, Wyoming—Banner Health announced the opening of its first home medical equipment clinic in Wyoming. Banner Home Medical Equipment (HME) is staffed with a licensed respiratory therapist, delivery technician, patient service representative and operations manager. Additionally, Banner HME has medical equipment in stock and available for delivery to patient homes or care facilities.

LeAnn Frette becomes the new chief solutions officer, focusing on operational & strategic issues. Chad Derner takes over as CFO, overseeing financial activities & operations.

MINNETONKA, Minnesota—Accra, a nonprofit organization that provides individualized homecare services to people with disabilities and older adults, has named LeAnn Frette as its new chief solutions officer. Frette transitions to her new role after serving as Accra’s chief financial officer (CFO) for more than a decade. In place of Frette, Accra has appointed Chad Derner as its new CFO.

S 5154 is a key bill for Medicare wheelchair accessibility

WASHINGTON—Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation that would improve access to titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs for Medicare beneficiaries. The new bill, S 5154, would create two new HCPCS codes for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) manual wheelchairs and allow for an upgrade within a code.

Leitten Consulting released a comprehensive report highlighting the critical need for Medicare to shift its focus from competitive bidding to proactive investment in durable medical equipment.

WATERLOO, Iowa—Leitten Consulting has released a comprehensive report highlighting the critical need for Medicare to shift its focus from competitive bidding to proactive investment in durable medical equipment (DME). The report, authored by Brian Leitten, underscores the cost savings and health benefits of providing timely DME to Medicare beneficiaries. 

Innovive Health’s clinicians & nurses in the home health field will have access to POM Safe’s safety solution

MEDFORD, Massachusetts & NEWARK, New Jersey—Innovive Health, a data-driven home health care agency serving complex behavioral health patients, and The Peace of Mind (POM) Safe, a personal safety solution for health care workers, announced a new partnership that aims to offer the POM Safe solution to clinicians. 

An audit by the OIG found CMS’ COVID-19 payments to providers complied with federal requirements

WASHINGTON—The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recovered Medicare payments to providers under the COVID-19 Accelerated and Advance Payment (CAAP) programs in compliance with federal requirements, according to an audit conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

The upcoming events will focus on advanced e-prescribing & how to withstand reimbursement pressures

ARLINGTON, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced it will be holding webinars on the topics of home medical equipment (HME), e-prescribing strategies, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers and billing in October. The details of the webinars are listed below.

Middle Tennessee Pharmacy Services has acquired a TwelveStone pharmacy, long-term care & “MEDIpack” service lines

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee—Middle Tennessee Pharmacy Services (MTPS), an innovative long-term care (LTC) pharmacy company and member of Guardian Pharmacy Services, announced the acquisition of the LTC and “MEDIpack” service lines from TwelveStone Health Partners, a provider of comprehensive chronic care medication services.

Amy Strobach honored for her contributions to the EMS field

MONTVALE, New Jersey— Dynarex Corporation, a durable medical equipment and disposable medical product provider, named Amy Strobach as the winner of the 2024 Dynarex Emergency Medical Services (EMS) First Responder Caring Award (FRCA). This award recognizes EMS professionals and agencies that have demonstrated exceptional care through service actions or programs designed to improve the health and safety of the community.

Phelps Health Home Health and Hospice team recognized with SHPBest Award for “Superior Performance”

ROLLA, Missouri—Phelps Health Home Health and Hospice, an accessible health care provider, has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “superior performer” for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2023 calendar year.

PACE provider InnovAge will work with academic researchers to improve fall prevention and rehab training

DENVER—InnovAge Holding Corporation, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provider, has been selected as a research partner for a national study that will explore how to prevent falls by seniors. September is National PACE Awareness Month and Falls Prevention Month, which aims to emphasize the impact of reducing dangerous falls by seniors. 

The one-hour at-home health check aims to go beyond typical lab reports

NEW YORK—Aura, a personalized care innovation company, launched its at-home health check in New York. The product allows nurses to complete comprehensive blood work, imaging, cognitive tests and more within an hour—all in the comfort of the patient’s home. The resulting panel of 100+ health markers, curated by physicians and scientists, provides data aimed at optimizing health and quality of life.

The certified services aim to ensure safety & comfort for aging homeowners

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia—House Doctors, a Premium Service Brands company specializing in handyman services, home repairs and improvements, announced the nationwide reveal of its aging in place service. The program aims to help seniors live independently in their homes for as long as possible through certified home modifications that ensure safety, accessibility and comfort.

The company’s partnership in Medtrade will continue through 2031

ARLINGTON, Virginia—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare), a nonprofit organization advocating for home medical equipment (HME) services and supplies policies, and Emerald, a dynamic market platform builder, agreed to extend their partnership in Medtrade through the 2031 show. The extension aims to add strength and certainty to their collaboration, as well as to grow the show and deliver more value to attendees and exhibitors.