WASHINGTON (Nov. 11, 2013)—Two weeks ago, CMS announced that full implementation of PECOS Phase II edits on ordering/referring HME providers in Medicare Part B will be in place effective Jan. 6, 2014. AAHomecare worked closely with CMS on the original delay of Phase II seven months ago, which was because of a lack of guidance on the operational effects of the edits.
HomeCare News
WASHINGTON (Nov. 11, 2013)—Crucial decisions loom for providers pondering whether to grandfather their patients in Round 1 bidding areas. Just more than a week remains to meet the grandfathering letter requirement.
Round one Recompete contracts start on January 1, 2014, and the requirement to send letters out is 30 business days prior to the beginning of the contract period. Since there are many holidays throughout the remainder of the year, the 30-day window closes Nov. 18.
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 11, 2013)—Early bird registration for Medtrade Spring officially opened on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Early bird rates end December 31, 2013. Click here to register.
Medtrade Spring takes place March 10 – 12, 2014, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Organizers are busy planning Medtrade Spring, and part of that effort involves bringing back the 6-4-18 Series.
MUNDELEIN, Ill. (Nov. 15, 2013)—Medline named Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pa., as the winner of its Pink Glove Dance. As a result, $25,000 will be donated to its charity of choice, the American Cancer Society, providing free transportation for treatment to central Pennsylvania breast cancer patients in need. Additionally, Medline and participating hospitals will donate another $1 million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and other local breast cancer charities nationwide.
Monday, Nov. 18
Charleston, W.V.
WVMESA Member Companies—$125 first person, $100 additional person
Non Member Companies—$250 per person, $200 each additional person
Click here to review the schedule and session descriptions.
To register, contact Pamela Kaehler, at kaehlerp@monhealthsys.org or (304) 285.2700 x18.
LEWISBERRY, Pa. (Nov. 8, 2013)—Butler Mobility's new Vertical Platform Wheelchair Lifts are a safe and economical solution to make any home accessible. Indoor or outdoor, the Butler Mobility Vertical Platform Lift is a practical alternative to installing cumbersome, slow grade ramps.
Butler Mobility has a long history of manufacturing the “Lifts that Last” with their popular Inclined Platform Lift for wheelchairs.
WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2013)—Congressional briefings on the bidding program will take place on Monday, Nov. 18. All Senate members and House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce members have been invited. Because the briefings are not open to the public, AAHomecare staff and members will be unable to attend.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 11, 2013)—Specialty retailers catering to health and wellness needs and medical equipment providers have a great opportunity to gain knowledge to help increase profits at the fourth annual Providing Opportunities for Wellness, Education and Renewal (POWER) Symposium.
Amoena, a leader in breast care product design and manufacturing, and Julius Zorn Inc.
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (Nov. 1, 2013)—Sigvaris introduced a luxury line of graduated compression socks made from natural fibers. These new socks are designed specifically for men and women who are looking to experience all day comfort and improved energy levels. The Zurich Collection by Sigvaris features two exclusive socks. Men and women who step into this new collection will experience relief from tired, aching legs through improved circulation.
LOVELAND, Colo. (Nov. 6, 2013)—Doug Coleman, president of the Colorado Association for Medical Equipment Services (CAMES), demonstrated what can happen when providers aggressively engage in the fight against the Medicare bidding program: he signed up a new cosponsor for H.R. 1717, legislation that would replace the badly flawed bidding program with a market pricing system. Because of his persistence, Rep.
NORWELL, Mass. (Nov. 6, 2013)—Carex Health Brands announced the acquisition of the ThermiPaq Hot & Cold Therapy brand along with other associated assets from the Thermionics Corporation of Springfield, Ill. Founded in 1990, Thermionics has built the ThermiPaq Hot & Cold brand into the leader of the clay hot/cold product category with its patented technologies.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Nov. 5, 2013)—Iowa Congressman Tom Latham met with members of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) for over an hour at Mobilis, Inc.
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (Nov. 5, 2013)—The Spitfire Scout transportable scooter combines easy and convenient mobility with superior value.
The Spitfire Scout is compact, lightweight and easy to disassemble.
LEWISBERRY, Pa. (Nov. 5, 2013)—Butler Mobility is a manufacturer of custom residential inclined platform wheelchair lifts.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Nov. 5, 2013)—ARI Network Services, a provider of website, software and data solutions for dealers, distributors, and manufacturers, announced that it acquired Duo Web Solutions, the leading provider of social media and online marketing services for the power sports industry. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This acquisition is in direct alignment with our strategy to grow the digital marketing services side of the business.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 5, 2013)—The North Florida Coalition of Home Medical Equipment Providers coordinated a meeting between several North Florida hospital systems along with some nursing facilities and the local offices of Senator Bill Nelson, Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Ander Crenshaw.
DENVER (Oct. 29, 2013)—CareTouch Communications, Inc., a leader in advanced patient engagement, communication and management, announced the addition of Zuri Nance as sales manager. Nance is responsible for developing and nurturing new client relationships and brings a variety of experience in research, client cultivation and contract negotiation to the CareTouch team.
SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2013)—ResMed Inc. announced record results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was $357.7 million, a 5 percent increase (a 4 percent increase on a constant currency basis) over the quarter ended September 30, 2012. For the quarter ended September 30, 2013, net income was $80.9 million, an increase of 14 percent compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.