HomeCare News

SOMERSET, Pa. (Jan. 6, 2014)—Built upon a legacy of reliable, field-proven concentrator models and re-introduced on Jan. 6, the DeVilbiss 5 Liter Oxygen Concentrator was updated with enhanced quality, durability, performance and simplicity in mind.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Jan. 2, 2014)—For seniors embracing an independent lifestyle, MobileHelp, a leader in Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (M-PERS) solutions, today introduced its new Cellular DUO System.

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 30, 2013)—The biannual Innovative HME Retail Product Awards honor HME products that are particularly suited for retail sale. The purpose of the competition is to promote and recognize products that contribute to providers' bottom lines though cash sales. Entries will be judged on their contribution to the quality of life enhancement they will provide to the users and how well they would work in a retail environment.

LENEXA, Kan. (Dec 31, 2013)—Mediware Information Systems, Inc. recently acquired Definitive Home Care Solutions, Ltd. (DHS). Widely known in the market by the name of its flagship software solution, CPR+, DHS serves the specialty pharmacy market, meeting its specific needs for software automation. Mediware has operated in the home infusion, HME, home health nursing and specialty pharmacy sector since 2008.

LAKE WALES, Fla. (Dec. 30, 2013)—3B/BMC, a global supplier of sleep diagnostics and sleep therapy products, announces FDA 510(k) clearance on the iVolve family of CPAP interfaces. The mask line rounds out 3B/BMC’s CPAP mask offering with a new premium, ultra lightweight, comfortable line of interfaces. The iVolve mask line has dual extra soft silicone lining for added comfort, and extremely quiet ventilation.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 31, 2013)—As families nationwide prepare for the New Year, home health leaders are strongly urging the Obama Administration to address unprecedented cuts to home health care, which were made in the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HHPPS) Final Rule, released the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2013 3:00 p.m. EST Cost: $99 Click here to register for this webcast with Jeffrey S. Baird, Brown & Fortunato, PC. DME Providers have experienced a lot of twists and turns in the last few years. Yet, with the dust starting to settle, there's an opportunity for providers to start moving forward with confidence. But to do that, they must be purposeful in anticipating their next steps.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Dec. 18, 2013)—Numotion, formerly United Seating & Mobility and ATG Rehab, announced its acquisition of the Rehab Division of Southeastern Health Plus, Inc., a provider of orthotics and prosthetics, rehab and durable medical equipment in South Carolina.

SKILLMAN, N.J. (Jan. 2, 2014)—180 Medical, a leader in the home delivery of intermittent catheters and other medical supplies, announced that it has acquired Symbius Medical, a national home medical supply company. "Symbius and 180 Medical share a common focus on providing exceptional customer care in the home delivery of medical supplies," said Todd Brown, CEO of 180 Medical, a ConvaTec subsidiary.

ATLANTA (Dec. 30, 2013)—Another eventful year has come to a close with so many memorable moments. Distilling the biggest stories of 2013 is a function of hindsight, clicks and reader reaction. Sometimes the moments are not moments at all, but instead, new ways of thinking that begin to crystalize within the provider community. For Jackie Bolt, president of Carolina Homecare, Greenville, S.C., the biggest industry-wide happening was a shift in philosophy regarding the retail sector.

Wednesday, Jan. 8 Hoover, Ala. Embassy Suites Hotel Kick off your 2014 at the Annual Meeting of Alabama Duable Medical Equipment Association (ADMEA), featuring an outstanding program, plus elections, state-of-the-association report, including news on the new O&P rules, how to handle orphaned oxygen patients and more. Visit admea.org.

As reported on McKnights.com, about a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries rely on walkers or other assistive devices, according to a new study. Women were more likely than men to use devices.

LENEXA, Kan., (Dec 24, 2013)—Mediware Information Systems, Inc. announced the launch of its informational outreach programs for the home infusion, HME and specialty pharmacy community. Mediware's mission is to help home care providers better understand the ever changing home care arena while also providing business insights and best practices needed to grow their business and the industry.

SUNRISE, Fla. (Dec. 23, 2013)—The past several months have generated some interesting calls to my office from home care providers. While the devastation we are experiencing from competitive bidding reaches its way throughout the industry, many companies have shown a sense of creativity that I see has been missing for so long. Several company owners I have spoken with have never taken Medicare and have read very little about competitive bidding.

CHICAGO, Ill. (Dec. 23, 2013)—The new contracts, which bring the total number of Medicare ACOs to more than 360, come as there is still little known about how the earlier adopters have fared in the program, which was established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The first cohort of organizations in the Shared Savings Program, numbering 27, entered the program in April 2012. The majority of the new ACOs are physician-led and each serve fewer than 10,000 beneficiaries.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2013)—The major driver for early intervention technologies in the U.S. is a combination of legislative cost controls, emerging consumer demand for self-management and lower costs for technology delivery.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec.

SILVER SPRING, Md. (Dec. 19, 2013)—The Food and Drug Administration is looking to shorten the time medical-device manufacturers wait before health plans will pay for products after they're approved. The newly formed Medical Device Reimbursement Task Force will create a formal process that allows a device company to request a pre-submission meeting with FDA staff and one or more private payers.

BALTIMORE (Dec. 18, 2013)—The CMS plans to award a contract early next year to a company that will conduct fingerprint-based background checks for thousands of Medicare providers and suppliers each year.

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (Dec. 16, 2013)—Have you ever wondered how compression socks are made? This week, the Science Channel will feature SIGVARIS on the popular “How It’s Made” television show, airing Dec. 19 at 9:30 p.m., Dec. 20 at 12:30 a.m., Dec. 21 at 4:30 a.m. and Dec. 26 at 10:30 p.m. EST. Viewers who tune in will take a walk behind the scenes for a look at how compression socks and hosiery are made.