WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 27, 2015)—From July 20 through 24, 2015, Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) health care providers, clearinghouses, and billing agencies participated in a third successful ICD-10 end-to-end testing week with all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) MAC Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. CMS was able to accommodate most volunteers, representing a broad cross-section of provider, claim, and submitter types.
HomeCare News
The Capstone Medical Products Group, Inc. (Capstone) announced it has developed a new, patent protected support surface entitled the Zero Pressure Mattress that recently was approved by PDAC for HCPCS code E0373—Nonpowered Advanced Pressure Reducing Mattress.
PHOENIX (August 26, 2015)—Vantage Mobility International (VMI) announced that the first commercial use, ADA complaint Toyota Northstar E360 rolled off its assembly line today in Phoenix, Arizona. The ADA Northstar E360 is the only wheelchair-accessible van featuring a side-entry, in-floor ramp built for commercial use. VMI’s new Commercial Division will initially offer the ADA Northstar E360 through select dealers across North America.
NEW YORK (August 26, 2015)—SCA, a leading global hygiene and forest products company with Americas headquarters in Philadelphia, recently announced that Michael C. Feenan has joined the company as Vice President of its Personal Care business in North America.
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (AUGUST 25, 2015)—Drive Medical, a global manufacturer of durable medical equipment, announced today that is has acquired the entire product line of the consumer brand HurryCane, from the Marketing Architects portfolio of companies. HurryCane, one of the best-known and most-respected consumer brands in the healthcare market, is the #1-selling cane in the United States.
ATLANTA (August 25, 2015)—Know of a great retail product? If so, call up the manufacturers and urge them to enter the biannual Innovative HME Retail Product Awards, a tradition at Medtrade (sponsored by HomeCare Magazine) thathonors HME products that are suited for retail sale. The purpose of the competition is to promote and recognize products that contribute to providers' bottom lines though cash sales.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August, 26, 2015)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) today released an analysis of the Office of Medicare Hearing and Appeals (OMHA) appeals backlog, using data available on the OMHA website. The analysis has uncovered that in spite of reports from OMHA indicating improvement, in the first half of 2015, the wait time has increased by nearly 25 percent, with June posting an average processing time of 714.9 days.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 25, 2015)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued 2014 quality and financial performance results showing that Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) continue to improve the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries, while generating financial savings.
Registration is now open to all suppliers interested in participating in Round 1 2017 of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. In order to submit a bid, you are required to register in CMS' Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM) system to obtain a user ID and password to access the online DMEPOS bidding system (DBidS).
PORT WASHINGTION, N.Y. (August 14, 2015)—Drive Medical announced today that it has completed a significant portion of its restructuring plan to integrate DeVilbiss Healthcare into Drive. Combined, the organizations have over 2,000 employees worldwide and distribute their products in over80 countries.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (August 14, 2015)—Albert Medical Devices, maker of Melio—the revolutionary self-emptying leg bag system that you can control with a touch of a button (and tells you when it’s time), has premiered a new educational video in partnership with Paralympian Bert Burns.
NEW YORK (July 23, 2015)—Hometeam, a fast growing company providing in-home care for older adults that will change the way Americans experience in-home aging, today announced it will open 15 new offices in nine states in the next 12 months.
ATLANTA (August 14, 2015)—The friendlier format at Medtrade Spring earlier this year will also be in effect at Medtrade, October 26-29, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Bad Health Outcomes For Adults Who Don’t Get Help As Teens
Young people with health problems left uncared for in adolescence face higher risks of leading unhealthy lives as adults, a new study finds. (Lisa Gillespie/Kaiser Healthcare News)
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (August 17, 2015)—PlayMaker CRM, the leading cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software for the post-acute care industry, announced today they received the 722nd ranking on this year’s Inc. 5000 list. This is PlayMaker’s third year in a row with a rank in the top 1000 nationally, ranking 956 in 2014 and 451 in 2013.
SUFFERN, N.Y. and DAVISON, Mich. (August 10, 2015)—MedFORCE Technologies, a leading provider of document and process management solutions for the healthcare industry, announced today the strengthening of its strategic partnership with Universal Software Solutions, Inc., the developer of the practice management solution known as Healthcare Data Management System (HDMS).
WASHINGHTON, D.C. (August 11, 2015)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the bidding timeline for the Round 1 2017 competition of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program, as required by law.