CQRC Releases Competitive Bidding Impact Report
Home respiratory therapy patients have lost access to service under savings program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) today released a new report that highlights the urgent need for policymakers to reform Medicare’s outdated payment methodology. The report outlines how the current payment system, called the competitive bidding program (CBP), restricts patients’ access to the oxygen and medical equipment they need, despite the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) best intentions.

3B Products Acquires VBOX

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (March 22, 2018)—3B Medical has closed on a deal for the exclusive global licensing and acquisition of VBOX, a Minnesota-based research and development company. Through a decade of research and development, VBOX has amassed a number of patents for innovation in the portable oxygen product space, a billion-dollar industry.

HR 4229 Not Part of Omnibus Package
Congress asks CMS to implement IFR.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—Congressional leaders have concluded negotiations on omnibus legislation, and have just released bill text that Congress will vote on this week. While the legislative text does not include provisions from HR 4229, Capitol Hill sources have shared report language accompanying the bill that reaffirms Congressional interest in providing relief for rural suppliers, as noted on page 49 of the report section related to HHS:

Responsive Respiratory Introduces New Cylinder Storage Rack

ST. LOUIS (March 20, 2018)—Responsive Respiratory introduces Store ‘N Stay Cylinder Rack. The Store ‘N Stay rack is an economical alternative to a metal or plastic rack for the storage of cylinders in the patient’s home. The heavy-duty, moisture-resistant cardboard rack features a simple set up with a pop-open and lock in place design for ease of use and durability.

QS/1® Achieves Level 2 Capability for the Pharmacist Electronic Care Plan

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—(March 20, 2018) QS/1 continues to be at the forefront of pharmacy innovation, having received Level 2 Capability from Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) for the Pharmacist eCare Plan.

The Pharmacist eCare Plan is a program that standardizes documentation of patient information and facilitates the exchange between healthcare providers and pharmacists. The goal is to advance care coordination, improve patient outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare costs.

HOMELINK Turns 25
The company facilitates 1,400 referrals per day.

WATERLOO, Iowa (March 19, 2018)—HOMELINK is celebrating 25 years of business and service to payers and credentialed community-based providers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS).

AAHomecare Continues Push for HR 4229
Kentucky HME leaders met with Senator McConnell.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 14, 2018)—The AAHomecare lobbying team received a welcome boost from Kentucky HME leaders who put together their own “fly-in” to advocate for relief on Medicare reimbursement cuts for rural areas and address the O2 “double dip” cuts also hurting rural suppliers. 

Compass Health Brands Adds Leadership

CLEVELAND (March 13, 2018)—After acquiring four major health businesses in a little over a year, Compass Health Brands—formed from the merger of Carex Health Brands and Roscoe Medical—is laying the groundwork to build upon its customer-first culture as it continues to rapidly grow its core offerings of ProBasics, Roscoe, Meridian and Carex brands under the Compass Health Brands umbrella. The company has realigned its sales organization and more than doubled its field sales presence to be

Sunset Healthcare Solutions Set to Expand Product Offerings

CHICAGO (March 12, 2018)—This spring, global manufacturer and distributer Sunset Healthcare Solutions will expand its respiratory offerings to include additional home medical equipment. Since 2004, the company has specialized in product solutions in the respiratory category, including CPAP and oxygen disposables.

“We’re proud to bring these new products to our loyal customer base,” said Melissa Allis, marketing coordinator at Sunset Healthcare Solutions.

Philips in Study to Reduce Costs of Non-Adherence
Medication management tools aid those with mental illness.

AMSTERDAM and LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 12, 2018)—Royal Philips a provider of health technology, announced participation in two programs to help improve medication adherence rates among at-risk, high-cost patient populations. Leveraging the Philips Medication Adherence Solution (PMAS), Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) of Lynn, Mass.

Philips Prepares to Celebrate World Sleep Day
The tech giant will co-sponsor a performance of an eight-hour lullaby in Austin, Texas.

AMSTERDAM (March 12, 2018)—Ahead of World Sleep Day on March 16, Royal Philips, a provider in health technology, has released the findings from its annual global survey in the report, “Better Sleep, Better Health. A Global Look at Why We’re Still Falling Short on Sleep,” which looked at what keeps people in 13 countries from getting their optimal night’s rest.