WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (September 13, 2017)—3B Medical announces FDA clearances for two new CPAP masks. The Viva is 3B's newest nasal mask. A light, simple and comfortable design makes this nasal mask stand out from the competition. The Numa Full Face Mask also received FDA clearance and shares the same design philosophy for simplicity, flowing lines and light weight. Both masks provide maximum comfort and superior sealing, to aid patient compliance.
HomeCare News
MCKINNEY, Texas (September 13, 2017)—Soleo Health, “Soleo,” a provider of specialty infusion services, announced today it has launched NutriSole, a new specialty parenteral nutrition therapy program, which offers innovative solutions to patients, providers, health systems and payers, that shows demonstrated positive patient outcomes and quantifiable clinical and economic value.
The bill would protect manual accessories from bidding-derived pricing and has strong bipartisan support.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 12, 2017)—Representatives Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) and John Larson (D-Conn) introduced legislation on Monday to exempt accessories for manual CRT wheelchairs from bidding-derived pricing with a strong, bipartisan roster of 42 original co-sponsors (23 Democrats, 19 Republicans). HR 3730 would complement earlier CMS action exempting accessories for group 3 power wheelchairs from bidding-derived pricing.
Medicaid patients with congestive heart failure are coached at home on self-care to reduce readmissions.
NEW YORK (September 12, 2017)—City Health Works and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s (MSSL) are collaborating on a one-year pilot, launched in mid-July, to reduce hospital readmissions for patients with congestive heart failure.
The new feature saves time and money for suppliers.
ATLANTA (September 12, 2017)—Managing compliance for sleep apnea patients and increasing resupply revenue just got easier for home medical equipment (HME) providers, as Brightree today announced automated resupply enrollment for patients managed by both Brightree and AirView by ResMed.
Leaders advocated for polices to protect the home health benefit.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 11, 2017)—With policy changes on the horizon that could significantly harm Medicare’s home health benefit through significant payment cuts, nearly 150 representatives from home health, hospice and homecare agencies across the country gathered in Washington today to ask lawmakers to support efforts to protect the approximately 3.5 million Medicare beneficiaries who depend on home health.
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 11, 2017)—Domtar Personal Care has launched its most advanced product line to date. The Attends Extended Wear Brief and Extended Wear Pad have been developed with Dry-Lock Containment Core, a new and proprietary EAM technology. This technology allows Domtar Personal Care to launch a product that leads our product portfolio in Dryness and absorbent Capacity with a retentive capacity of 45 ounces and overall capacity of 100+ ounces.
CMS Expects Few Hospitals to Participate in Readmissions Experiment
Few providers are expected to volunteer for an experiment to help track unplanned readmissions and their causes, even though the pilot is a precursor for a mandatory change in how hospitals are penalized. (Virgil Dickson/Modern Healthcare)
AAHomecare also working with agency as attention shifts to Irma.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 7, 2017)—CMS has just released guidance covering replacements for lost/damaged DMEPOS items in the wake of a declared emergency.
AAHomecare works with CMS on disaster related policy.
—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 7, 2017)—CMS and AAHomcare are both dedicated to instituting policies that protect beneficiary and supplier communities that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. Last week, AAHomecare and several members of the Regulatory Council met with CMS regarding emergency and disaster related policies and procedures.
Additional responses from case managers and beneficiaries still sought
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 7, 2017)—Last Friday, AAHomecare chairman Steve Ackerman joined Tom Ryan, Jay Witter and Kim Brummett to present updated findings from our Patient Access Survey to CMS officials. Staff from our survey partner Dobson DaVanzo and counsel Foley & Hoag were also in attendance.
Wayne Slavitt will answer attendees' questions and discuss retail opportunities for HME providers.
ATLANTA (September 7, 2017)—The retail/caretail drumbeat continues, with more HME providers diving into the cash waters and looking for guidance along the way. Medtrade attendees who want more retail/caretail advice can choose from several sessions at the show, scheduled for October 23–25, 2017.
A recently approved treatment is now available in the home.
BANNOCKBURN, Ill. (Sept. 6, 2017)—Option Care Enterprises, Inc., a provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, has signed an agreement to become a national contracted home infusion provider for RADICAVA (edaravone), an intravenous (IV) infusion treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). RADICAVA, the first ALS treatment option approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in more than 20 years, is now available for patient treatment in the United States.
OLD FORGE, Penn. (September 6, 2017)—Golden Technologies is pleased to announce a partnership with CareCredit, a provider of promotional health care financing, in order to offer Golden dealers a new financing solution. This collaboration will enable Golden dealers to help consumers acquire the medical equipment and supplies they need while easing the burden when insurance or reimbursements fall short.
LENEXA, Kan. (September 6, 2017), 2017—Mediware Information Systems, Inc., a provider of comprehensive post-acute health care software, announces they are hosting a free webinar for attendees on Thursday, September 28, 2017, 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET for DME suppliers.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (September 5, 2017)—PlayMaker announces the addition of Holly Miller as vice president of sales.
Hurricane Harvey: Why Mobile Medical Care is Critical
As a result, delivering medical care to individuals in compromised living quarters—whether in a flooded home or in a shelter—presents unique challenges to first responders, as well as doctors and nurses who serve on the front lines. (Robert Glatter, MD/Forbes)
Mobile system makes its way.
OGDEN, Utah (August 31, 2017)—Freeus, LLC, one of the fastest growing mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS) businesses in the United States, announced a new tool to help Freeus dealers find success offering mPERS to their customers: PERS University.
PERS University features educational webinars, one-on-one expert guidance and customized marketing materials.
Providers step up to provide extra care in the midst of Harvey.
Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 30, 2017)—As the nation rallies around those impacted by Hurricane Harvey’s destruction, we wanted to share some encouraging stories about our members who are rising to meet the needs of their community and beyond. In the midst of tragedy, their response speaks volumes about the services and front-line patient care that our Industry offers, in good weather and bad.
Second quarter deadline is now September 11, 2017.
—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 30, 2017)—On account of requests from several providers to extend the deadline to enter 2nd Quarter 2017 HME Audit Key data, the survey will remain open until Monday, Sept. 11.