SOMERSET, Pa. (Oct. 24, 2013)—DeVilbiss Healthcare recently introduced the D100 Nasal and Full Face CPAP Masks, two new additions to its line of CPAP interfaces. These masks are created with comfort, durability and simplicity in mind for effective CPAP therapy.
Available in three sizes, the D100 masks are designed with four-point adjustable headgear for a secure, customized fit.
HomeCare News
AUBURN, Mich. (Oct. 31, 2013)—A Medicare bidding program is jeopardizing the health of Michigan senior citizens and people living with disabilities who are unable to obtain critical home medical equipment prescribed by their physicians. More than 100 Michigan Medicare patients have sought assistance from a consumer hotline, despite claims from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that there have been few problems.
Tuesday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. CST
Register for this free webinar that outlines a systematic approach to ICD-10 implementation. You know that ICD-10 codes are coming—and there are a lot of them!
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 30, 2013)—Rotech Healthcare Inc., a national leader in providing medical equipment and related products and services for home use, has located a new, 24,174-square-foot customer support center at 207 Regency Executive Park Drive, Suite 200, creating approximately 200 new jobs in Charlotte. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank represented Rotech Healthcare Inc. in its real estate transaction.
CHICAGO (Oct. 29, 2013)—FrozenPeaz received the MedTrade merit award for New Product That Best Improves Quality of Life. Award winners were determined by voting from attendees at MedTrade. “We’d like to thank all of the attendees who voted for us. FrozenPeaz was really well received at MedTrade”, said Arthur Blackwood, co-founder of FrozenPeaz.
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.
November 5, 2013
Hoover, AL
Check-in will open at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
BALTIMORE (Oct. 28, 2013)—CMS recently announced a 0.5 percent decrease in the interest rate on Medicare overpayments and underpayments to 10.125 percent. Except for April 17 to July 16 of this year, this is the lowest rate since 2001.
Interest on overpayments and underpayments accrues from the date of the initial request for refund and is assessed for each 30-day period, or portion thereof, that payment is delayed after the initial refund request.
BALTIMORE (Nov. 1, 2013)—Although CMS is still assessing the impact of the partial government shutdown on completion of the CY 2014 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), CMS intends to publish the 2014 HCPCS Annual Update file on the HCPCS website on or before November 27, 2013. New HCPCS codes will be effective January 1, 2014, unless otherwise specified in the file.
EXETER, Pa. (Oct. 25, 2013)—Pride Mobility Products Corporation and its Quantum Rehab division have been recognized for supporting USA Cares, a national non-profit that provides financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 U.S. military families.
DETROIT, Mich. (Oct. 20, 2013) As reported on Crain’s Detroit Business, two hospital-based health systems in Michigan and an affiliate of Center Line-based Binson's Home Health Centers have agreed to merge their operations into Hart Medical Equipment Co. to sell durable medical equipment to seniors after the systems failed earlier this year to win Medicare competitive bid contracts.
WASHINGTON (Oct. 24, 2013)—Only a few Medicare patients have reported problems related to the bidding program for home medical equipment that rolled out in 91 new areas on July 1, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Yet, more than 2,000 patients have called an organization, People for Quality Care, desperately seeking assistance for situations jeopardizing their health and quality of life.
According to CMS, it is still assessing the impact of the partial government shutdown on completion of the calendar year 2014 Medicare fee for service payment regulations. CMS intends to issue the final rules on or before November 27, 2013, generally to be effective on January 1, 2014. The impacted regulations include:
NEW YORK, N.Y. (Oct. 23, 2013)—The Medicare Rights Center is one of just five organizations across the country to receive a major national grant from the federal Administration for Community Living’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program. Through the 18-month grant, Medicare Rights will expand its Medicare Minute program, recently evaluated by a Columbia University-based team, to help people with Medicare across the country understand their rights and combat Medicare fraud.
GAINSVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 21, 2013)—DMEevalumate.com has applied its functionality of correctly documenting medical justification for power mobility devices to develop the first online questionnaire for respiratory equipment.
SUNRISE, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2013)—Just in time for Veteran’s Day, Interim HealthCare Inc. announced that its newest franchise agreement is with two retiring Air Force veterans in Salt Lake City. Michael Hawkins and Michael Eliason are the recipients of the waived franchise fee that Interim HealthCare announced earlier this year as a special incentive and support for military personnel.
MADISON, Wis. (Oct. 22, 2013)—Dr. JoAnne Robbins, PhD, CCC-SLP, BRS-S, professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and founder of Swallow Solutions, Inc., has been invited to serve as a member of the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
TEANECK, N.J. (Oct. 21, 2013)—Apex Foot Health & Wellness, a division of Aetrex Worldwide Inc., announced the launch of the Apex T2000 to the Stretchables Collection—shoes that provide maximum protection and optimum comfort for individuals suffering from diabetes, arthritis or swollen feet. The new addition is designed to limit stress at the areas of the foot most susceptible to pain.
The Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) have recently identified an unbundling issue related to walkers (E0141, E0143 and E0149) and brake attachments (E0159). This article provides clarification on when it is appropriate to bill the (DME MACs) separately for walkers and brake attachments.
CMS recently announced that StrategicHealthSolutions has become a supplemental medical review/specialty contractor (SMRC) to “perform and/or provide support for a variety of tasks aimed at lowering the improper payment rates and increasing efficiencies of the medical review functions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”