WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 4, 2018)—In June 2018, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health & Human Services reported that most Medicare claims for replacement positive airway pressure device supplies did not comply with Medicare requirements. A sample of 110 claims were reviewed, and 86 did not meet the requirements, totaling $13,414 in overpayments.
WATERLOO, Iowa (October 3, 2018)—Representatives on both sides of the aisle introduced the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act bill that, if passed, will expand Medicare coverage to include custom breast prostheses as an option for women recovering from mastectomy surgery.
The bipartisan bill HR 6980 was co-sponsored by Representatives Rod Blum (R-IA) and Judy Chu (D-CA).
ELYRIA, Ohio (October 3, 2018)—Invacare Corporation announced the launch of a new program offering home medical equipment (HME) providers the resources, tools and support to help them succeed in the HME industry.
Whether a provider is looking to diversify their business into new channels, or fine-tune their current business model and practices, Invacare BluePrint for Success can help them take their business to the next level.
ORANGEBURG, N.Y. (October 3, 2018)—Dynarex, a medical products brand and provider of disposable medical supplies, announced the launch of a durable medical products (DME) line to round out their current product portfolio.
COSTA MESA, Calif. (October 3, 2018)—CareCredit, a health, wellness and personal care credit card, announced a new executive partnership with Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), an association for empowering practices, providers and patients to create meaningful change in health care.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (October 2, 2018)—MK Battery and its parent company, East Penn Manufacturing Co., have announced the appointment of Wayne Merdinger as president of MK Battery. Merdinger becomes only the second president in MK’s 35-year history, succeeding Mark Wels who co-founded the company with Mark Kettler in 1983. Wels will continue to serve on MK’s board of directors in addition to his capacity as vice president and general manager of East Penn Reserve Power Sales Group.
ATLANTA (October 2, 2018)—Medtrade advance registration rates, which offer savings over day-before and day-of-show rates, are still in effect. The last day to take advantage is Sunday, October 7. The nation’s premiere HME trade show is scheduled for October 15–17, 2018, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
ATLANTA (October 2, 2018)—Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) will return to Medtrade, scheduled for October 15–17, 2018, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The Georgia-based organization has recently focused on distributing needed medical equipment to those affected by Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas.
SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2018)—CareLinx, an online homecare network with 300,000 caregivers across the US, is now offering AARP members in-home care services. AARP members can be matched based on compatibility with certified, vetted private in-home caregivers for themselves or a loved one at reduced cost.
DETROIT (October 1, 2018)—Franchisor finance veteran David Taccolini has been named CFO for a newly-formed parent company that is focused on acquiring and expanding franchise organizations to serve the growing population of aging adults across North America and beyond.
DETROIT (October 1, 2018)—Steve Greenbaum, CEO of ComForCare, a provider of homecare, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA).
“We are excited to have someone with Steve’s experience in association leadership serve on the HCAOA Board of Directors,” said Phil Bongiorno, executive director of the HCAOA.
LENEXA, Kan. (October 1, 2018)—WellSky, a health and community care technology company backed by TPG Capital, announced that recently acquired BlueStrata EHR, a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) for long-term post-acute care providers, is taking on WellSky’s branding to become WellSky Long-Term Care.
BOSTON (September 27, 2018)—Orbita, Inc., which provides an enterprise-grade conversational platform for powering HIPAA-compliant voice and chatbot applications, announced the appointment of Kristi Ebong as senior vice president of strategy and general manager for health care providers.
WATERLOO, Iowa (September 27, 2018)—The finalists for the 2018 HME Woman of the Year have been selected. Out of 39 nominees, four women will be traveling to Medtrade in Atlanta where the 2018 winner will be announced.
WASHINGTON, D.C (September 26, 2018)—On September 13, 2018, Representatives Sam Johnson (R-Texas) and John Larson (D-Connecticut) introduced the Homecare for Seniors Act (HR 6813) in the House of Representatives. The act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow seniors to use funds from health savings accounts for qualified homecare services.
BURNET, Texas (September 25, 2018)—Stealth Products LLC, a manufacturer in the complex rehab market, has entered into a distribution agreement with Ottobock. Beginning October 1, 2018, Stealth Products LLC will become the exclusive North American distributor for a select range of Ottobock upper extremity supports.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (September 25, 2018)—Aeroflow Healthcare, announced the donation and rental of medical equipment and supplies to Asheville, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina, area shelters for Hurricane Florence evacuees.
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. (September 24, 2018)—CareFinders Total Care, a home health care company in New Jersey and Connecticut announced that Kathy DiBenedetto has joined the company in the newly-created role of chief human resources officer (CHRO).
LAKEVILLE, Mass. (September 20, 2018)—Alert Sentry announces the hiring of relationship manager, Sarah Sumner. Sumner will work to increase awareness and the importance of personal emergency response systems (PERS) across the homecare spectrum. Her efforts will support Alert Sentry’s Authorized Dealer Program by providing expanded marketing tools that help educate clients about PERS.
ATLANTA (September 20, 2018)—Industry advocate and leader Regina Gillispie, president and owner of West Virginia-based Best Home Medical, will be honored as the recipient of the 2018 Van Miller Homecare Champion Award at the upcoming Medtrade show in Atlanta, Georgia.
