Providers speak up during Washington Legislative Conference
Providers shared their thoughts during AAHomecare's Wednesday luncheon.
By Liz Carey
HomeCare News
Recent report recommends extending and renewing current programs.
By Kristin Easterling
(May 24, 2018)—Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a study on Medicare prior authorization requirements. The requirements began in seven states for certain power mobility devices such as power wheelchairs in 2012. The categories later expanded to include DME, home health and others.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. (May 24,2018)—Merits Health Products announced it has signed a contract with Numotion to become the preferred provider for Group 2 powerchairs. This contract covers the full line of Group 2 powerchairs from Merits Health Products that includes the popular Vision series of chairs and the new tilt only Vision Ultra.
CMS Provider Compliance Group provides insight during keynote speech.
Tom Ryan (left) of AAHomecare presented Doug Coleman with the Mal Mixon Award
New data increases sleep apnea sufferers to nearly 1 billion worldwide.
SAN DIEGO (May 21, 2018)—New data analysis presented by ResMed this week at the American Thoracic Society's 2018 International Conference indicates that the prevalence of sleep apnea impacts more than 936 million people worldwide—nearly 10 times greater than previous estimates.
WATERLOO, Iowa (May 21, 2018)—The Durable Medical Equipment Repair and Training (DMERT) Group has been launched as a new certification body for the durable medical equipment (DME) and complex rehab technology (CRT) industry.
Each week, our editors select the top 5 headlines in our industry from media outlets across the web.
CMS releases new guidance for electronic visit verification
By Kristin Easterling
(May 17, 2018)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance on electronic visit verification (EVV), in accordance with section 12006(b) of the Cures Act. This section requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and disseminate best practices for the training people who provide personal care services (PCS), home health care services (HHCS) or both, on the operation of EVV systems.
NEW YORK (May 17, 2018)—Hometeam, an in-home personal care company, announced the appointment of Randy Klein as chief executive officer. He joins the leadership team to help accelerate the company's integration into the broader health care ecosystem.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (May 16, 2018)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Bleep clearance to market its Bleep DreamPort, a light and headgear-free CPAP interface.
Bleep’s DreamPort aims to solve the major current problems with many masks in the industry: comfort, bothersome headgear, leaks, weight and size restrictions.
Ageless Innovation, LLC launches new company to focus on senior market.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (May 15, 2018)—A group of former Hasbro employees announced the launch of Ageless Innovation, LLC, a new company that will focus on developing fun and engaging products that stimulate and foster meaningful connections for older adults. Led by Ageless Innovation’s CEO Ted Fischer, the launch of the company is based on the asset purchase of 100 percent of the Joy for All business from Hasbro and will begin operations without business interruption.
Effective date of August 1 give providers time to adapt.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14, 2018)—Effective August 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require suppliers to use KX, GA, GY and GZ modifiers on oxygen claims. The KX modifier will indicate when payment criteria is met, and the GA, GY and GZ modifiers provide more information for oxygen claims that do not meet payment criteria.
Each week our editors select the top 5 headlines in our industry from media outlets across the web.
(May 10, 2018)—From MAMES: “The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment & Supplies (MAMES) members converged on Des Moines, Iowa April 25-27 for the 2018 MAMES Spring Excellence in HME Convention and Exhibition with the highest attendance for a MAMES Spring Convention since 2011. And based on the attendee surveys they provided they were happy they came. For the second consecutive event MAMES attendees rated the event a perfect 4.0 rating.
EXETER, Penn. (May 10, 2018)—Pride Mobility announced that its Pontotoc, Mississippi, power lift recliner (PLR) plant is experiencing unprecedented growth and production output with its made-in-the-USA PLRs.
ROSEVILLE, Calif. (May 10, 2018)—Always Best Care Senior Services, a senior care franchise system in the United States, announced today that it has opened its newest franchise in Norfolk, Virginia. Always Best Care of Norfolk marks the company’s eighth location in the state and will provide senior care services to the Tidewater communities, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and surrounding areas. The new agency is owned and operated by first-time franchisee Sonya Meade Settles.
Fee increase and beneficiary cost sharing noted as points to watch.
By Kristin Easterling
(May 10, 2018)—After months of advocacy from AAHomecare and other industry stakeholders, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and CMS have cleared the Interim Final Rule related to HME (CMS-1687-IFC) to increase fee schedule rates for certain DME items and services through 2018. Language in the recent Omnibus bill also urged the Administration to release the rule and move on relief for rural providers.
Message to Congress: Don't let the 10 percent get lost in larger issues.
By Liz Carey
(May 10, 2018)—Applying steady pressure to pass two pieces of targeted legislation, complex rehab technology stakeholders joined recently for the 2018 National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference in Washington. In the days ahead, they’ll be following up on their Capitol Hill visits and looking for their priorities to pass either in forthcoming opioid legislation sooner, or upcoming Medicare legislation later this fall.
WATERLOO, Iowa (May 9, 2018)—Advocacy efforts are on the rise as we near the Washington Legislative Conference as the industry pushes for relief for non‐bid areas, structural reforms to the competitive bidding program, and a critical exemption of CRT accessories from bidding‐derived pricing.