ASHEVILLE, N.C. (June 12, 2018)—Aeroflow anonymously surveyed employees on engagement levels using the Gallup Q12 Meta-Analysis Report and saw their engagement level index increase from 4:1 in their previous survey to 12:1, meaning they now have 12 actively engaged employees per every 1 actively disengaged employee.
HomeCare News
VGM representatives Carol Albaugh, Megan Kraft, Margo Colarossi, Karyn Estrella HOMES president and CEO, Adam Miller and Aram Susong accepting the award
NORWOOD, Mass. (June 11, 2018)—Reliable Respiratory, a New England home respiratory and specialty medical equipment provider, announced a partnership with Mount Auburn Hospital located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reliable Respiratory will acquire the patients of Mount Auburn Hospital DME, continuing the delivery of and support for sleep and respiratory-related medical equipment.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (June 7, 2018)—After learning that Dr. Teresa Herbert of Park Ridge Hospital in Hendersonville, North Carolina, was joining her daughter on a mission in Nicaragua and needs respiratory equipment, Aeroflow made the donation to extend its caring reach across the continent and improve the quality of life of Nicaraguan children in need.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2018)—Since 2015, AAHomecare has been tracking the number of suppliers and their locations to monitor the impact of competitive bidding and other factors on the industry. The analysis has helped to bring these issues to the attention of Congressional offices and HHS to illustrate the need for more sustainable Medicare reimbursement rates and bidding program reforms.
ATLANTA (June 7, 2018)—SmartSaver Rates (formerly Early Bird rates) go into effect on Monday, June 11, 2018. These rates offer attendees the lowest possible prices to attend Medtrade, scheduled for Oct 15–17, 2018, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
SmartSaver Rates last 18 days, officially ending on Friday, June 29.
Under SmartSaver rates:
Governor Malloy signed SB 243 into law on June 1.
HARTFORD, Conn. (June 6, 2018)—On Friday, June 1, 2018, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed SB 243, “An Act Concerning Audits of Medical Assistance Providers,” into law, effective July 1, 2018. For claims on or after July 1, 2018, Connecticut Medicaid providers will no longer be required to retain the original signature on prescriptions and proof of delivery.
Hospital-acquired condition rates falling with improved best practices.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 6, 2018)—Data released this week by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) show continued progress in improving patient safety, a signal that initiatives led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are helping to make care safer.
FRESNO, Calif. (June 5, 2018)—As part of World Environment Day 2018: Beat Plastic Pollution, Sunrise Medical recently reported efforts aimed at environmental responsibility. Focus includes:
WASHINGTON (June 5, 2018)—According to a new survey, 92 percent of Americans believe activities bringing together children/youth and older adults can reduce loneliness across all ages. This survey and report from Generations United and The Eisner Foundation also found that 89 percent think that serving both children/youth and older adults at the same location is a good use of resources.
BOSTON (June 5, 2018)–Orbita, Inc., which provides a technology platform for creating health care specific voice and conversational artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, announced a collaboration with AARP to study remote patient monitoring and reduce social isolation.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (June 5, 2018)—Synzi, a virtual care company, has announced that Trilogy Home Healthcare (Trilogy), a Medicare-certified home health care agency, has selected its virtual care communication platform to improve patient management, engagement and care.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 4, 2018)—On Friday, June 1, 2018, CMS released CMS-6080-N, “Medicare Program; Update to the Required Prior Authorization List of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Items That Require Prior Authorization as a Condition of Payment.”
Memo not yet filed at Federal Register, input sill needed
By Kristin Easterling
SAN FRANCISCO (May 30, 2018)—ClearCare, a technology platform for homecare agencies, announced the nationwide availability of a new technology to seamlessly connect these agencies with insurance companies and hospitals.
LAS VEGAS (May 29, 2018)—Naturally Able, a new website for people with disabilities, aims to provide free resources and news to help their readers lead healthier lives. The website, naturallyable.com, also offers a free magazine via email subscription and an online discussion group.
Acquisition strengthens home health billing offerings.
SAN DIEGO (May 29, 2018)—ResMed a provider of connected health care solutions, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held HEALTHCAREfirst, a provider of software solutions and services for home health and hospice agencies.
Report does not adequately assess beneficiary access issues, CQRC says.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 29, 2018)—The Council on Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) today warned a report released by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG)—Round 2 Competitive Bidding for Oxygen: Continued Access For Vast Majority of Beneficiaries—underestimates the negative impact the Competitive Bidding Program for Durable Medicare Equipment (DME) continues to have on beneficiary access to home respiratory supplies and services.
Each week, our editors select the top 5 headlines in our industry from media outlets across the web.