MEMPHIS (July 25, 2019)—“Back Up Terry” received a Quantum Rehab Edge 3 power chair with iLevel on Monday, July 22, at his Memphis, Tennessee home.
HomeCare News
ATLANTA (July 24, 2019)—Brightree announced results from the first-of-its-kind survey in post-acute care, revealing a significant gap between what referring providers and health systems want, and what home health and hospice providers are delivering, when it comes to interoperability.
DALLAS, (July 23, 2019)—Home health care technology provider Axxess has introduced several valuable tools within its software solution to help clients prepare for the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
BALTIMORE (July 23, 2019)—Senior Helpers, a provider of in-home senior care, along with Curavi Health, a customized telemedicine solutions provider for the post-acute care setting, and Capital Coordinated Medicine (CCM), a home-based primary care (HBPC) practice, announced the results of a pilot study that tested a new model of connecting frail, functionally limited patients with primary care physicians via telemedicine.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2019)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will reject claims submitted with the Health Insurance Claim Number, with very few exceptions, starting Jan. 1, 2020. All eligibility transactions using the Health Insurance Claim Number will be rejected after that date, with no exceptions. Providers must use the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (July 19, 2019)—3B Medical, a manufacturer of sleep and respiratory products for homecare, and Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA), dba The MED Group (MED), a group purchasing organization serving home medical equipment providers, announced an agreement commencing June 15, 2019, making 3B Medical’s sleep and respiratory products available to MHA and MED members under special terms.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2019)—The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor released a new Financial Scoring Methodology fact sheet providing information about the financial scoring process used to evaluate a bidder’s financial health for Round 2021.
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 19, 2019)—This week, the North Carolina State Legislature passed S. 523, tax and revenue legislation that includes provisions exempting medically-prescribed diapers and incontinence products covered under North Carolina Medicaid from state sales tax, effective Oct. 1, 2019.
BOSTON (July 19, 2019)—Soom, a company that utilizes barcode and knowledge graph technologies to bridge information gaps between data sources and physical products, has introduced SoomSafety, an iOS mobile app that allows users to scan a medical device and receive instructions for use, safety and recall information directly from the device manufacturer and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (July 17, 2019)—CVS Health announced the initiation of a clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the HemoCare Hemodialysis System for administration of home hemodialysis. The device includes safety features and is designed to make home hemodialysis simple for patients.
NEW YORK (July 16, 2019)—CipherHealth, a patient engagement software company in patient outreach, announced a partnership with Medline, a global manufacturer, distributor and solutions provider focused on improving the overall operating performance of health care to ensure patients have the best possible outcomes and experiences.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2019)—Changes to the TRICARE regions to consolidate to two plans from the previous three plans have been fraught with provider network and claims processing issues. While AAHomecare has been contacted regarding these issues with both regions, the bulk of the issues have been with the TRICARE East contractor, Humana Military.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 15, 2019)—CMS has issued blanket waivers for areas affected by Topical Storm Barry in Louisiana. The waivers are implemented retroactively to July 10, 2019 for 90 days (approximately October 8, 2019). The blanket waivers can be used for DMEPOS items that have been lost, damaged or destroyed. To use this waiver, suppliers will need to provide a narrative description on the claim that explains the reason the equipment needs to be replaced.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 11, 2019)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Thursday, July 11 that it had proposed a new rule to update the rates and wages for home health care for 2020, and implementing the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), as well as other items.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 11, 2019)—Efforts to protect access to manual complex rehab technology (CRT) wheelchairs and accessories took another step forward today as the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee approved HR 2328, the "Reauthorizing and Extending America's Community Health Act'' (REACH Act). The bill includes similar language to HR 2293, legislation that AAHomecare and other mobility stakeholders have been supporting since its introduction in April.
DAVISON, Mich. (July 10, 2019)—Universal Software Solutions, Inc. (Universal), invites providers of post-acute health care services, like home medical equipment, home infusion therapy, audiology, optometry and even veterinary, to visit their new website for StowPoint, stowpoint.com.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (July 9, 2019)—With the window for Round 2021 of competitive bidding opening next week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional guidance on Tuesday, including a user guide and a list of frequently asked questions.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (July 9, 2019)—More than 80% of Medicare-reimbursed hospice agencies were cited with a deficiency between 2012 and 2016, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Office of Health and Human Services (HHS); in 2016, 300--or 18% of all hospices in the country--had serious problems or complaints.
ELYRIA, Ohio (July 9, 2019)—Invacare Corporation (Invacare) is pleased to provide an update on its enhanced transformation and growth plan in three key areas: commercial effectiveness, product innovation, and simplifying business and an optimizing cost.
Commercial Effectiveness
Invacare announced changes to its North America sales organization, effective immediately.
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Penn. (July 9, 2019)—AdaptHealth, which claims to be third largest distributor of home medical equipment (HME) in the United States, announced that it will combine operations with DFB Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (DFB), a publicly traded company.