WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 22, 2021)—A definition of “reasonable and necessary” was included of the recently finalized rule, Medicare Program; Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) and Definition of ‘‘Reasonable and Necessary’’.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 22, 2021)—Earlier this month, outgoing HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration would be renewed for an additional 90-day term, effective January 21. The extension keeps significant measures of COVID-19 relief for our industry in effect until at least April 21, 2021, including:
REXBURG, Idaho (January 22, 2021)—Home Care Pulse LLC, a provider of data analytics, benchmarking solutions and caregiver education for homecare agencies, has today announced its acquisition of Home Care Institute, a provider of quality learning solutions specializing in the home health and hospice industry.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 20, 2020)—National Seating & Mobility (NSM), a provider of comprehensive mobility solutions, is broadening the company’s reach in Indiana with the acquisition of Scooters N More in Valparaiso. The acquisition positions NSM to expand the provision of holistic mobility solutions throughout Northern Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area.
NETANYA, Israel (January 20, 2021)—Eitan Medical, a global leader in advanced infusion therapy and drug delivery solutions across the care continuum, announced that its upgraded Sapphire infusion pump system software Rev15, which includes the infusion pump, administration sets and accessories, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance.
PETAH TIKVA, Israel (January 20, 2021)—Biobeat, a global provider of continuous remote patient monitoring solutions for the health care continuum, has launched a new home-based remote patient monitoring kit. The solution allows health care providers to remotely monitor patients' vital signs and receive updates and deterioration alerts, helping to alleviate hospital overload, reduce costs and improve patient care.
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (January 14, 2021)—Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is underway across the country, starting with frontline health care workers and those over the age of 65 (or 75 in some areas) or with underlying conditions. Although the rollout in some areas has been slow, hampered by storage issues and political obstacles, community pharmacies are gearing up to help vaccinate the masses.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 19, 2021)—As anticipated, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an advisory body to Congress, met last week to finalize payment and policy recommendations that will be incorporated in its annual March Report to Congress.
MESA, Ariz. (January 19, 2021)—Phoenix-based Valley Medical Supplies has been acquired by Copper Star Home Medical Supplies (Mesa, Arizona). With this acquisition, Valley Medical and Copper Star will combine their business models. Current Copper Star president and owner Korry Johnston will remain in his position.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2021)—This is a developing story. HomeCare will share more as more information becomes available.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized a signature accomplishment of the new Office of Burden Reduction & Health Informatics (OBRHI). This final rule builds on the efforts to drive interoperability, empower patients, and reduce costs and burden in the health care market by promoting secure electronic access to health data in new and innovative ways.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2021)—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing today that it will be amending the reporting timeline for the Provider Relief Fund Program (PRF) due to the recent passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. HHS has been working to provide updated reporting requirements that comply with this recently passed legislation.
BOSTON (January 15, 2021)—CareAcademy, a homecare and home health workforce empowerment platform, announced a strategic partnership with Wild Iris Medical Education that will further expand the company’s offering to include accredited nursing continuing education. By leveraging Wild Iris Medical Education’s American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accredited and approved courses, CareAcademy will add more than 70 courses, representing more than 300 contact hours.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 15, 2021)—PlayMaker Health, a post-acute sales enablement and business intelligence platform, and HealthRev Partners, a provider of tech-driven, consultative revenue cycle management services for home health and hospice agencies, announced that they have partnered to deliver impactful solutions to drive and maximize revenue growth.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 14, 2021) -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on Tuesday that propels innovative technology so Medicare beneficiaries have access to the latest, most advanced devices. The action is designed to help smooth the Medicare coverage pathway for innovative products, resulting in faster access to new devices for America’s seniors.
NASHVILLE (January 14, 2021)—Permobil, Inc. and LUCI announced a partnership to provide LUCI’s smart wheelchair technology through Permobil’s industry-leading clinical education and commercial organization to Veterans Affairs’ (VA) rehabilitation clinics in the United States.
DANIA BEACH, Fla. (January 14, 2021)—Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea (SNG) announced that the company has entered into a supplier agreement with TZMO USA for the sale of their Seni USA brand adult incontinence products. SNG—a full-fledged medical equipment and supply company—is dedicated to fulfilling the special needs requirements for persons who want to travel but may need mobility aides, oxygen or other equipment.
MINNEAPOLIS, (January 14, 2021)—Nonin Medical announced the appointment of four new members to the company's board of directors. Each of the new directors brings unique industry experience and passion for innovation in the medtech and healthcare sectors. Together, they will provide Nonin with strategic guidance and support the company's continued growth. The new board members are:
WATERLOO, Iowa (January 14, 2021)—VGM Group, Inc., has merged three of its businesses into one and created Moxie, a powerful new force in the world of marketing and events. Hellman, a well-established marketing agency acquired by VGM in 2018, has joined with VGM Marketing and VGM Events to bring a team of close to 30 professionals together for the benefit of internal VGM clients and external clients alike.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (January 13, 2021)—Best Life Brands, LLC, a family of companies focused on the well-being of clients along the continuum of senior care, awarded a record number of 71 new franchise agreements across all brands in 2020. The franchise development milestone reached during a global pandemic underscored the needs of seniors, the most vulnerable population, and growing demand for more businesses that serve them.