Georgia Lawmakers Ask HHS to Withdraw Home Health Groupings Model
The request is to work with stakeholders and protect patient access.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 4, 2017)—The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (Partnership)—a coalition of home health providers dedicated to improving the integrity, quality and efficiency of home health care for our nation's seniors—thanks seven Georgia Members of Congress for recently sending a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging the withdrawal of the proposed Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM).

Contour Products' CPAP Accessories are FSA/HSA Eligible

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 3 2017)—Retailers can increase Q4 foot traffic at their locations with FSA/HSA spenders and Contour Products’ CPAP accessory line. Contour’s full line of CPAP accessory products is now approved for health benefit spending.

Millions of Americans are using these employer accounts to pay for their health needs, and Contour not only wants consumers to be able to use these benefits for comfort, but also make paying for our products easier.

BOC Adds Compounding Accreditation
Pharmacies can improve their business practices with this new accreditation service.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (October 3, 2017)—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) is accepting applications for a new Compounding Accreditation for pharmacies. The new accreditation will focus solely focus on non-sterile compounding and is only available in conjunction with BOC Retail or Retail + DMEPOS accreditation.

Provider Web Capital Launches Patient Credit Options
The new service will give providers and patients a payment option to help with large out-of-pocket expenses.

ATLANTA (October 2, 2017)—Provider Web Capital announces the launch of its unique health care patient pay solution, Curae Finance, a financing product aimed at empowering medical providers of all types to help patients afford the care they need, when they need it. In the current high-deductible environment, Curae Finance helps the health care industry solve the critical issue of large out-of-pocket expenses patients face by giving them flexible payment options.

Congress Asks OMB to Clear Final Rule
104 Representatives signed the HME-related letter.

Washington, D.C. (October 2, 2017)—Nearly one-fourth of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives have asked the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) to clear an HME-related Interim Final Rule (IFR) currently under review at OMB. The IFR, titled “Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule, Adjustments to Resume the Transitional 50/50 Blended Rates to Provide Relief in Non-Competitive Bidding Areas” has been at OMB since late August.

VirtuOx Makes Aquisitions

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (October 2, 2017)—VirtuOx, Inc. a health care IT company providing diagnostic tools and services to enable health care organizations and professionals diagnose and treat a variety of disease states, announced today the acquisition of ProFox Associates, Inc. and NPF, Inc. The transaction was facilitated by VERTESS, a health care M+A advisory firm. 

AAHomecare's Statement on the Resignation of Tom Price
The Association will continue to work with HHS and CMS to secure sustainable Medicare rates.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2017)—The American Association for Homecare is saddened by the resignation of Tom Price as Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services. Throughout his career on Capitol Hill and at HHS, Dr. Price has been one of the most influential champions for public policy that would allow home medical equipment suppliers to maintain their place as an effective and essential part of the nation’s health care infrastructure.

Price Resigns as HHS Secretary
Don J. Wright will step in as interim.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 29, 2017)—In less than 24 hours from Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price’s September 28, 2017 statement of regret and correction over recent taxpayer funded travel, the man whom some pinned high homecare industry reform hopes on resigned.

Medtrade 2017 Education Session Highlights Caretailing
Baumhover and Markusen teach you how to direct your product lineup.

ATLANTA (September 27, 2017)—Medtrade attendees asked for more retail/caretail-themed educational sessions, and organizers responded. One session in particular will address the crucial transition from a reimbursement model to retail and/or partial retail. The first step is often the most difficult, but Medtrade presenters Rob Baumhover and Maria Claire Markusen are experts in helping HME providers to take the leap.