INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 28, 2012—National Government Services, the Jurisdiction B Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) will be conducting a Medical Records Documentation for Glucose Monitors and Supplies Webinar for all durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 from 10 a.m. eastern time (ET) to noon.
HomeCare News
ATLANTA, Nov. 28, 2012—Medtrade organizers gave up on the idea of trying to get conference surveys completed online this year, and the move paid off. Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade, estimates that switching back to paper added about 20 percent more feedback. “Despite the smart phone culture and ubiquitous laptops, the convenience of onsite pen and paper spurred more responses than last year,” Gaffney said.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 29, 2012—An article in the Skokie (Illinois) Review profiles the problems that Medicare’s bidding program has created for a type of walker used by beneficiaries with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. The article begins: “Jonathan Miller created a walker more than 20 years ago to help his mother, but once he developed that product into a Skokie business, it became indispensable for many with neurological diseases.”
Nov. 28, 2012- DMEevalumate.com continues its record of 100 percent Prior Authorization approvals since its Sept. 1 launch. DMEevalumate.com was designed by physicians in an effort to provide healthcare practitioners with an easy and accurate solution to Medicare’s medical equipment documentation requirements.
WATERLOO, Iowa, Nov. 27, 2012—OPGA is pleased to announce a new partnership with The van Halem Group, LLC. OPGA partners with The van Halem Group to bring members access to the industry leader in representing independent orthotic and prosthetic providers in audits, appeal cases, compliance, and other issues relating to fraud and abuse.
ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 28, 2012—MK Battery announces the appointment of Bruce Habeck as global director or the renewable energy business for the company’s Deka Solar battery product line. According to David Brunelle, vice president of sales, “Bruce has been the driving force behind the success of the Deka Solar brand and it is most appropriate that he now take a leadership position to direct the company’s team of Renewable Energy battery specialists.”
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Nov. 28, 2012—You are reinventing your business to adapt to the market, yet you are unsure if you are using all your available technology and whether you have the latest automation tools. In addition, it’s important to understand the metrics around your software platform, features, and new technologies. How can you respond to audits faster and more accurately? How much can you increase resupply revenue with IVR solutions?
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 29, 2012—AAHomecare announces the webinar “Nuts and Bolts Approach to Implementing a Successful Compliance Program” Dec. 11 from 2:30-4:00p.m. ET. The OIG has stressed the importance of compliance programs for HME companies by issuing guidance on how the programs should be structured and implemented. Congress has also weighed in through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which makes compliance programs mandatory for homecare companies.
RAC Monitor will host the webinar “Preparing for Audits and Investigations: Learn How to Respond to a Knock on Your Door or a Call at the Office” Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET. Would your coder know what to do if government agents were to visit their home one evening? How would they respond to an unexpected phone call from an auditor? The prospect is chilling and frightening. Their initial response could determine whether you face a criminal investigation.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 20, 2012—The Obama administration has moved forward to implement provisions in the health care law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. The provisions of the Affordable Care Act also would make it easier for consumers to compare health plans and employers to promote and encourage employee wellness.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2012—Millions of seniors and people living with disabilities will enjoy Thanksgiving and other holidays in the comfort and safety of their own homes thanks to home medical equipment and services such as oxygen therapy, hospital beds and wheelchairs. Home-based care allows people to live independently at home, which is the most cost-effective setting for many types of care, says the American Association for Homecare. Facts about home care:
GAITHERSBURG, M.D., Nov. 20, 2012—According to Karen Long of DecisionHealth, a new Office of Inspector General (OIG) report noting 56 percent of appeals are reversed at the administrative law judge (ALJ) level recommends clarifying unclear Medicare policies that are interpreted differently at the levels of appeal.
BOSTON, Nov. 22, 2012—For the second consecutive year, Amramp is proudly providing ramps for the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree Tour, enabling those with mobility-related disabilities to participate in this nearly 50-year-old national tradition.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 19, 2012—Royal Philips Electronics is one of six companies to earn the American Association for Respiratory Care’s (AARC) coveted Zenith Award. The 2012 award was presented Nov. 10 at the 58th International Respiratory Congress in New Orleans. Nearly 52,000 AARC members, comprised of clinicians and researchers who use respiratory care equipment, devices and pharmaceutical products, selected the winners from more than 400 suppliers.
The DME MAC Jurisdiction A Outreach & Education Team still has the following free educational Webinar sessions open for registration (all times Eastern Standard):
• November 27, 2012 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Lower Limb Prosthesis Billing
• November 27, 2012 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Respiratory: CERT and Probe Review
• November 29, 2012 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
DME MAC Essentials I
TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 19, 2012—The industry leader in lightweight, compact folding pediatric wheelchairs, Convaid, Inc., continues its quest to improve lives with the launch of its new Spanish language website. The site is now live for consumers and dealers to access imperative information regarding the mobility manufacturer. The new website covers Convaid’s entire product line, including choice of colors, seat sizes, options and accessories.
CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 19, 2012—Senior Home Care, a leading provider of home health care solutions in the Southeast, today announces that 28 of its offices in Florida and Louisiana have been named 2012 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the country, out of more than 10,000 Medicare-certified agencies.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 14, 2012—According to the American Association for Homecare, if you need yet another reason to be worried about the expansion of competitive bidding and regulatory burdens on HME, here it is.
HALIFAX, Va., Nov. 13, 2012—From Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES): The election is over and the campaign ads are gone. There is the usual crop freshmen Representatives and Senators. The DME industry must now engage those new lawmakers and help them understand the value of home care and our ability to save millions of Medicare dollars.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 14, 2012—More than 30 patient advocacy and consumer groups endorsed a bill in Congress that would replace Medicare's current "competitive bidding" program for durable medical equipment with a better market pricing system that preserves access to homecare. Millions of Americans use medically required durable medical equipment and services at home, including oxygen therapy, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.