WATERLOO, Iowa, Feb. 21, 2013—Todd Eagen has been promoted to vice president of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America. “Todd came to OPGA from the pharmaceutical industry, so he understands patient care,” said Dennis Clark, CPO, OPGA president. “He has proved to be a tremendous asset to both OPGA and VGM.”
HomeCare News
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2013—If you've reached your breaking point with CMS’ bidding program, the time to act is now! Make plans today to fly in to Washington, D.C., this Wednesday (Feb. 27) to meet with your members of Congress face-to-face. Your state association will help you to schedule the meetings and coordinate with other home care community stakeholders from your area.
HALIFAX, Va., Feb. 21, 2013—According to the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES), federal and state agents armed with search warrants last Wednesday swarmed the New Braunfels, Texas, headquarters of The Scooter Store, one of the nation’s largest suppliers of power wheelchairs and scooters. Statement says investigators think the company committed Medicare fraud.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2013—Recently announced Round 2 payment rates are so low that companies are taking extraordinary steps as they attempt to salvage at least some part of their health care practices. “Our Medicare business accounts for about 25-30 percent of my business in total sales. With the loss of that revenue, we will have to lay off at least five to eight employees,” said Mark Farmer, owner of Southwest Mobility, Inc.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2013—AAHomecare’s 2013 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on May 22 during the Washington Legislative Conference at the Capital Hilton Hotel. A slate of officers and six at-large director positions on the board will be voted on during the annual meeting. The association is calling for nominations at this time. All nominations are due by February 28.
WATERLOO, Iowa, Feb. 20, 2013—HQAA has launched the first accreditation program specifically for facility-based ventilator care unit (FBVU) providers. “FBVU accreditation sets your ventilator unit apart from the competition,” according to Steve DeGenaro, RRT, Director of Survey Services at HQAA. “HQAA’s quality check shows your commitment to providing the best patient care.”
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Feb. 18, 2013—A new style is launching in one of SIGVARIS’ favorite comfort lines. The SIGVARIS Cotton Series closed toe calf product will now be available with a grip-top in two color options, black and crispa for men and women. For patients with edema (swelling) around the knee area, the new grip-top feature can ensure that the Cotton Series socks stay in place all day.
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 21, 2013—Join the Medicare contractors at the Medtrade Exposition. The Medtrade Exposition will be held from March 19-21, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. The Medtrade Spring Conference and Expo is the leading event in the home medical equipment industry.
RAC University will present a webcast on Medicare appeals and reimbursement on Thursday Feb. 21, 2013, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET. Be prepared. The recent report released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) suggesting improvements to the Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) level of Medicare appeals will likely impact your appeals. During this important webcast, you’ll learn why it’s critical to re-examine your appeal strategies in light of the OIG recommendations.
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 14, 2013—Join AAHomecare on March 19 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. during Medtrade Spring for the Stand Up for Homecare Reception, South Pacific F, Mandalay Bay. Be a part of the home care sector’s premier advocacy event. Meet with industry leaders and Stand Up for Homecare. Support AAHomecare’s effort to get factual, positive information about home care to the people who need to hear it most, Congress and the media.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2013—Chart Industries, Inc., announces that Norman R. McCombs, senior vice president at AirSep Corporation—a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chart—has been awarded The National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The medal is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the President of the United States on America’s leading innovators.
PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2013—Fastrack Healthcare Systems announces a series of new features designed to help providers respond to competitive bidding reimbursement pressures by reducing operating cost through automation. Fastrack’s newest software release features a considerable list of new workflow automation functions to improve productivity. Fastrack clients have the capability to schedule in advance when the system will run key financial reports.
TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 14, 2013—Convaid’s trusted EZ Rider pediatric wheelchair has been enhanced to help special needs children and families live fuller richer lives. The newly upgraded wheelchair is set to hit the market March 4, 2013.
CHATSWORTH, Calif., Feb, 12, 2013—DME software developer Meddigo has announced exclusive sign up incentives available only for Medtrade attendees. Businesses who sign up during the conference will receive a 60-day free trial, and then pay only $250 a month for 12 months with no obligation, half of the normal monthly fee.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb, 14, 2013—AAHomecare recently met with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) in Chicago to discuss ways to work together to better educate sleep physicians to comply with Medicare’s complex documentation requirements justifying medical necessity for Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) devices.
HALIFAX, Va., Feb. 14, 2013—VGM and AAHomecare have joined NAIMES in urging immediate action immediately in conjunction with the Washington Fly-In on Feb 26-27. All providers need to get involved now. We need to let our legislators know that we are angry and ask the question, “What is Congress going to do to fix this?” Here you will find the coordinated industry action plan. Please be sure that you are coordinating with your competitors, referral sources and patients.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 14, 2013—Round 2 price cuts won’t go into effect until July 1, 2013, but they are already having ruinous effects on home care providers and patients throughout the country. “We’ve heard from scores of providers about the detrimental impact Round 2 prices will have on their patients and businesses,” according to AAHomecare’s Rachel Prager.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 15, 2013—It has been said that the anticipation of an event or action is worse than the actual event. When I was a kid I was terrified the first time I rode the “Scream Machine” at the Six Flags amusement park. It was a giant roller coaster, 173 feet tall, and in its heyday it was the fastest looping roller coaster in the world, reaching speeds up to 68 mph. I had knots in my stomach as I waited my turn to ride.
GLENCOE, Ill., Feb, 6, 2013—With Medicare facing an uncertain financial future and numerous potential reforms, a symposium in Washington, D.C., is set to engage a wide variety of stakeholders in a frank and informal discussion about what role the private sector should play in the entitlement program.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 7, 2013—AAHomecare is collecting data on the impact of the recently released Round 2 competitive bidding payment rates through CBRound2Problems@aahomecare.org. To ensure that CMS and members of Congress understand exactly how devastating the impending cuts will be to the industry and to beneficiary access, please send the following information to the email address above-remember to remove any information that might violate privacy laws: