WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 31, 2012—In an October 31 letter to Congressman Tom Price (R-Ga.), 31 consumer and patient groups expressed their deep concerns about the current Medicare bidding program for HME and their support for the Market Pricing Program (MPP) to replace it.
HomeCare News
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 1, 2012—Dina Overland of the Fierce Markets Healthcare Group reports that the Medicare Advantage pay-for-performance program is already producing quality improvements in its early stages, according to a new study from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2012—Cleanis is proud to announce that its Aqua wash glove was voted “2012 Best New Product for Family Members and Caregiver” by Caregiver magazine. Unlike conventional bathing wipes or cloths, this protective wash glove is impregnated on both sides with a dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic moisturizing washing lotion designed to be utilized on all skin types.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 26, 2012—Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) announces continued approval of its hospice accreditation program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a six-year term. This deeming authority recognizes CHAP’s program as a national accreditation program for hospice organizations seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 31, 2012—The “Collection of Co-Payments: Financial Lifeline for the HME Supplier” webinar by Jeffrey S. Baird will be offered November 13 from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET. At the end of the day, an HME provider cannot be dependent on Medicare for the lion’s share of its revenue. Medicare is broke...
ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 30, 2012—U.S. Congressman Tom Price of Georgia made a special speaking appearance at a welcome reception hosted by MK Battery prior to the opening of Medtrade 2012. Also speaking were industry leaders from NCART, NRRTS and AAHomecare.
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Nov. 2, 2012—In an effort to help New Yorkers recover from Hurricane Sandy, MetroStar Home Health—a privately owned home health products company—will be accepting donations of canned goods, nonperishable items and household items as well as monetary donations.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 24, 2012—In an update issued Monday, CMS states that the DME MACs will have discretion to change a nonaffirmative prior authorization (PA) request to affirmative upon verification that the reviewer of the request made a clerical error without requiring the HME provider to resubmit.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 23, 2012—The Care Continuum Alliance (CCA), the leading advocate for the population health management industry, announces that it has added seven new Board of Directors members, including top executives of Alere Health, Joslin Diabetes Center, 3M, American Specialty Health, McKesson, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Walgreens.
CAIRE SeQual has donated 20 Eclipse personal ambulatory oxygen systems (PAOS) and more than 80 batteries to the Kids of Courage for the duration of their summer trip. Kids of Courage is a unique traveling summer camp for critically ill children, who are given a chance to disconnect from their daily struggles and experience freedom and adventure like every child.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 24, 2012—In AAHomecare’s concentrated efforts to reduce the audit burden on homecare providers, the association is carefully examining newly introduced legislation introduced on behalf of hospitals. The legislation contains a number of provisions that would help HME providers keep Medicare payments that they are entitled to for equipment and services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 25, 2012—Growth in total Medicaid spending and enrollment slowed substantially in state fiscal year 2012 as the economy began to improve and states continued to work to control costs. Relatively slow spending and enrollment growth are expected to continue in FY 2013, according to the 12th annual 50-state Medicaid budget survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, conducted with Health Management Associates.
BALTIMORE, Md., Oct. 25, 2012—The “Medicare Claim Submission Guidelines” Fact Sheet was revised and is now available in hard copy format. This fact sheet is designed to provide education on Medicare claim submissions. It includes information about enrolling in the Medicare Program; private contracts with Medicare beneficiaries; filing Medicare claims; deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments; and coordination of benefits.
CLEARFIELD, Utah, Oct. 24, 2012—Homeowners and caregivers can now install an entire line of matching safety grab bars throughout a bathroom without comprising their home decor. The new Grabcessories safety grab bars from Lifetime Products, Inc., are designed to be both beautiful and functional - seamlessly integrating as actual bathroom decor while providing the convenience of safety accessories.
FT. WASHINGTON, Penn., Oct. 23, 2012—Wellness & Prevention, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, announces a collaboration to examine and address today’s most challenging health issues with the Lake Nona Institute, a non-profit organization that is developing health and sustainability programs in Orlando’s 7,000-acre Lake Nona community.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 24, 2012—AAHomecare will offer the “Innovative Marketing and Joint Ventures…Within Legal Parameters” webinar with Jeffrey Baird Oct. 30, 2012, from 2:30-4 p.m. The HME the industry has been hit with breathtaking legislative and regulatory changes. Now more than ever, in order to succeed providers must have an innovative marketing program to enter into strategic joint ventures and relationships with referral sources.
ATLANTA, Oct. 18, 2012—Opportunity and urgency collided on day two of Medtrade, with Tyler Wilson, president of AAHomecare, asking attendees at the organization’s Washington Update to “become zealots” for HR 6490, the House Bill to replace competitive bidding with the market pricing program (MPP).
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, Oct. 17, 2012—During National Family Caregivers Month in November, The SCOOTER Store is pleased to recognize the more than 65 million Americans that sacrifice their time and efforts to care for loved ones by offering a complimentary book titled The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers by Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD. The book covers many topics including:
ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2012—Philips Respironics showcased advancements at Medtrade 2012 that allow patients to sleep and breathe easier, demonstrating its commitment to improving the quality of life of those who suffer from chronic sleep and respiratory conditions. Medtrade is the nation’s largest conference and exposition focused exclusively on the home medical equipment (HME) industry.
Oct. 19, 2012, Atlanta—Members of Cahaba Media Group (CMG) representing HomeCare magazine and Senior Care Products attended Medtrade 2012 Oct. 15-16 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.