The webinar “Stock or Asset Sale: Transfer of Patient Files, Calling the Seller's Patients, and Other Hot Button Issues” will be presented on April 30 from 2:30-4 p.m. ET by Jeffrey Baird of Brown & Fortunato.
HomeCare News
BALTIMORE, Md., April 11, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announces the scheduled release of modifications to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code set. These changes have been posted to the HCPCS website. Changes are effective on the date indicated on the update.
MUNDELEIN, Ill., April 11, 2013—Medline Industries, Inc. announces the winners of its 2012 Distribution Supplier Recognition Awards. These annual awards were given to 16 Medline supply partners who demonstrated outstanding performance in sales and operations and collaborated with Medline to provide exceptional value and service to the thousands of leading health care facilities who chose Medline for their medical and surgical supplies.
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., April, 12, 2013—Effective April 12, 2013, Drive Medical is pleased to announce that one of its subsidiaries has acquired certain assets of Mason Medical, a leading manufacturer of pressure prevention products. In connection with the transaction, no liabilities were assumed.
BALTIMORE, Md., April 9, 2013—According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), it has today announced that 799* suppliers have been awarded contracts as part of Round 2 of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program to provide certain medical equipment and supplies (such as scooters, wheelchairs and oxygen) to beneficiaries in 91 communities across the country.
GLENCOE, Ill., April 3, 2013—According to Donald Sjoerdsma of The Medicare NewsGroup, when the budget ax swung recently hospitals, doctors, insurers, prescription drug plans, graduate medical education and other health care providers were on the chopping block.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2013—On March 28, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report entitled “Surety Bonds Remain an Underutilized Tool to Protect Medicare From Supplier Overpayments.” The report analyzed CMS’ handling of the surety bond program for DME providers and concluded that the Agency had mismanaged the program.
ATLANTA, April 5, 2013—The Medtrade Conference Digital Library offers access to the educational sessions from Medtrade Spring 2013. Audio and notes will be available for download or on DVD. Sessions from previous Medtrade events are also available. If you have already purchased, you will receive an e-mail notifying you when the 2013 library is available for use.
LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 4, 2013—SecuraTrac, a dynamic provider of mobile health and safety solutions focused on protecting children, seniors and employees, announces the development of a new technology based on its award-winning mobile app, SecuraFone. Developed in conjunction with Vital Connect, SecuraFone Health can alert doctors, caregivers and family in real time when an unexpected health event occurs.
MISSOULA, Mon., April 5, 2013—Aqua Creek Products is proud to announce the introduction of The Pathfinder into our comprehensive line of pool and spa lifts. “This innovative new design moves the bar forward for affordability and flexibility without compromising the reliability, durability or longevity that our customers expect from Aqua Creek.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 4, 2013—Ottobock announces the release of its Everyday Activity Seat, the latest in its ever-increasing offerings of mobility products that are making a real difference in day to day living activities and having a meaningful impact on quality of life.
OLD FORGE, Penn., April 2, 2013—Golden Technologies showed off the next generation of the popular LiteRider PTC Personal Transport Chair at Medtrade in Las Vegas to positive reviews from customers.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 5, 2013—National Government Services, the Jurisdiction B Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC), strives to deliver detailed information to assist suppliers with understanding the Medicare program guidelines and procedures through several resources including Medicare University.
OWINGS MILLS, Md., March 29, 2013—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) recently introduced additional features to the online web portal available to its accredited facilities at my.bocusa.org (MyBOC). While BOC’s accreditation staff will still be available to offer award-winning customer service, MyBOC provides facilities with the ability to notify BOC of updates and changes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
DENVER, Colo., March 29, 2013—CareTouch Communications, Inc. announces the release of Adhere, a sleep therapy compliance monitoring service for home medical equipment (HME) providers. Adhere is part of the company’s current CareTouch360 platform, which communicates with patients and gives HME providers comprehensive patient status during the first three months they are on sleep therapy.
LAS VEGAS, March 29, 2013—Medtrade proved to be a productive time for the American Association for Homecare councils. Specifically, the Complex Rehab and Mobility Council (CRMC) discussed progress and which direction AAHomecare should advocate for in the prior authorization (PA) demonstration project, legislative and policy problems related to competitive bidding, non-warranty repairs, and state Medicaid fee schedules.
CUMMING, Ga., March 22, 2013—As reported by Rob Brandt of Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America (AMEPA), the “nearly impossible” has happened. A Republican-led bill passed the Senate 79-20, and repealed a provision of the Affordable Care Act. Job loss and a lot of industry noise is being credited with the repeal of the 2.3 percent Medical Device Tax, which is a good sign for the DME industry.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2013—Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and Rep. Renée Ellmers (R-N.C.) took issue with USA TODAY’S characterization of their work to fix Medicare’s absurdly designed bidding program.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2013—During Medtrade Spring Joel Marx, chairman of the AAHomecare Board of Directors, welcomed Tim Hatt—director, Home Medical Equipment & Legislative Affairs, Wright & Filippis, Rochester Hills, Mich.—as the new chair and Andrea Stark, owner of MiraVista in Columbia, S.C., as the new vice chair of the Home Medical Equipment/Respiratory Therapy Council (HME/RT).
ATLANTA, March 28, 2013—GF Health Products, Inc. (Graham-Field) is pleased to introduce the Slide-W-I-D-E Expandable/Retractable Sleep Deck. Quickly and easily adjust bed width to 35, 39 and 42 inches using two quick-release ball-detent pins on each side. Quick adjustment makes this bed ideal for moving through narrow doorways.