HomeCare News

EXETER, Pa. (June 12, 2014)—Pride Mobility Products announced its partnership with Navitas Lease Corp. in offering provider financing. “Pride is focused on supplying our providers with the tools to grow their business and manage their cash flow,” says Andrew Pyrih, Senior Vice President of Domestic Sales for Pride Mobility.

As part of its continuing collaboration with CMS, AAHomecare staff met with CMS officials on June 4 to review in detail the comments submitted in response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for the expansion of the Medicare bidding program.

WATERLOO, Iowa (June 12, 2014)—Van G. Miller, CEO and founder of VGM Group, Inc., is one of the Upper Midwest EY (formerly Ernst and Young) Entrepreneurs of the Year. “I owe it all to the associates,” was his succinct comment, referring to the 630-plus VGM employees to whom he gives credit for his success. Since 2008, VGM has been a 100 percent employee-owned company. “Van well deserves this recognition. He thinks of those who work for his company first and his community second.

WATERLOO, Iowa (June 12, 2014)—A study about Medicare investment in DME concludes that substantial cost savings are realized when mobility, supplemental oxygen and CPAP therapy are covered by Medicare. “The Case for Medicare Investment in DME – 2014 Update” was done by Brian Leitten of Leitten Consulting.

ATLANTA, Ga. (June 12, 2014)—Registration for Medtrade officially opened June 12. Early rates are considerably lower, and remain in effect until mid-September. The nation’s premiere HME trade show is scheduled for Oct 20-23, 2014, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “Early rates are $25 for expo and $99 for conference, for a savings of $75 and $201 respectively,” says Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade.

Thursday, June 26 – 2:30-4:00 p.m. EST This webinar will discuss the relevant state and federal anti-fraud statutes and regulations that govern the types of arrangements that a HME supplier can enter into with another provider, such as a physician, home health agency or pharmacy.

The Medicare audit system puts paperwork before patients and, as a result, companies are unable to help their patients and suffer financially because of it. However, the many anecdotal stories and self-reported data are not viewed as credible and have not proved to be persuasive with policymakers. This industry has been asked for data on audits and has been unable to provide it.

To help inform the dialogue for the bidding roundtable Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) hosted Friday, he asked the industry to share their stories and perspective on the bidding program. AAHomecare received 109 in-depth responses to Rep. Renacci’s call to action. After his oxygen business lost its bid in the Round One Rebid, Renacci has become a champion for the industry. AAHomecare helped the industry rally to Renacci’s side and share the stories and data he needs to have a productive meeting.

WATERLOO, Iowa (June 3, 2014)—VGM Government Relations and People for Quality Care will host a town hall forum for the general public to discuss health care concerns to share with congressional staff members during VGM’s Heartland Conference. “Caring for the Aging and Disabled: How Investing in DME Saves the Government Money and Provides Better Care for Americans” will take place June 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. CST in the Corral Room at the Ramada Hotel, 205 W. Fourth St., Waterloo, Iowa.

EXETER, Pa. (June 3, 2014)—Pride Mobility Products announced the hiring of Rick Michael as national sales manager, retail mobility. As a 15-year veteran of the mobility industry, Michael is widely known for helping providers tap into and expand upon market potentials. “Retail mobility is a winning strategy in today’s mobility marketplace,” says Andrew Pyrih, senior vice president of domestic sales for Pride Mobility.

KLEVE, Germany (May 28, 2014)—Medline International Germany GmbH and Kleve Mayor Theodor Brauer break ground for the construction of Medline’s new warehouse. Medline, a provider of surgical and medical products worldwide, is tripling the size of its current European distribution center. This expansion comes as a response to growing demand for its products and services and growth plans for Eastern Europe, including the expansion of the company’s integrated logistics services.

WASHINGTON (June 5, 2014)—AAHomecare announced that Steve Ackerman, president and CEO of Spectrum Medical, Inc., has joined the AAHomecare Executive Committee in the position of treasurer. Alan Landauer, chairman of Landauer Metropolitan, Inc., has stepped down from his post as treasurer and will remain a member of the AAHomecare Board of Directors. “Alan is well-known for his commitment to the home care community,” said AAHomecare president and CEO Tom Ryan.

SARASOTA, Fla. (May 20, 2014)—Drew McCartney was appointed as president and CEO of Harmar succeeding Chad Williams, Harmar’s founder, president and CEO who has been with the company since 1998. Williams will remain with Harmar as a member of the board of directors. "During his tenure as CEO, Williams built Harmar into one of the preeminent manufacturers of mobility and accessibility products in the United States.

On May 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Change Request (CR) 8636, updating the procedures used in the surety bond collection process for durable medical equipment suppliers. The CR 8636 revised procedures for suppliers in making a claim against a surety bond.

June 26, 2014 (All day) Columbus, Ohio oames.org OAMES 5th Annual Summer Camp is an educational program that offers a mid-year training and networking opportunity for the billing topics your administrative staff is managing. This year’s event will be held June 26 in Columbus at the Quest Business Center.

WATERLOO, Iowa (June 5, 2014)—The 13th edition of the VGM Group, Inc.’s Heartland Conference invites attendees to “Define Your Future” during four days of education and networking in downtown Waterloo. Nearly 1,000 home medical equipment providers, vendors, speakers and industry friends are expected at the annual event, which opens today with pre-conference educational sessions and a golf tournament, followed by a hog roast and fireworks display. The keynote address Tuesday morning will be pre

WATERLOO, Iowa (May 23, 2014)—Advocacy group People for Quality Care (PFQC) launched Dear Medicare, a website that features stories of seniors and people with disabilities who are being negatively impacted by health care policies. “We understand that many Americans are unaware that seniors and people with disabilities are struggling to access their medical equipment and care,” said Kelly Turner, PFQC director of advocacy.

SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2014)—Umbian, Inc., a ResMed company, and provider of cloud-based health care compliance solutions, announced the outcome of a new study that shows significant, measurable efficiency gains when using the automated messaging capabilities of its U-Sleep compliance management solution. The study reveals a 59 percent reduction in labor associated with intervening and coaching patients on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy when using U-Sleep.

ELYRIA, Ohio & WATERLOO, Iowa (May 27, 2014)—On May 6, 2014, Invacare Corporation and VGM Group, Inc., signed a new multiyear agreement. “We are excited to continue one of the great partnerships in our industry,” said Mal Mixon, chairman of the board, Invacare Corporation.

LEBANON, Tenn. (May 28, 2014)—Permobil announced its acquisition of TiLite, a manufacturer of innovative and individually customized manual wheelchairs. Founded in 1998, TiLite has an innovative and user-focused range of active wheelchairs. The company designs and manufactures ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs in titanium or aluminum that can be customized to each user’s exact specification.