WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 3, 2012—As reported by The American Health Lawyers Association—and edited by Neil Caesar of The Health Law Center to target DMEPOS suppliers—the following provides a brief summary of the Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) new regulation, accreditation and payment-related activities for FY 2013.
For FY 2013, OIG has added several new reviews of Medicare payments and services. Activities include:
ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 4, 2012—As reported by Chuck Buck, publisher of the RACmonitor, a sweep of seven U.S. cities by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has resulted in 91 health-care providers being charged for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $429.2 million in false billing. Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, along with Inspector General Daniel R.
OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 5, 2012—The Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC) has expanded year-round testing and instant test results and now offers these for all BOC multiple choice and clinical simulation certification examinations. All BOC certification candidates now can take their computer-based exams on any business day throughout the year—and some Saturdays—at locations nationwide.
WATERLOO, Iowa, Oct. 5, 2012—U.S. Rehab—VGM Group, Inc.’s complex rehab division—will roll out an innovative ATP Master Program that will prepare students to take RESNA’s Assistive Technology Professional exam in less than a year.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 25, 2012—Jo Black, executive director of the Independent Living Resource Center, Inc., pauses when she thinks about meeting the future demand for deaf and hard of hearing services. The Office of Deaf Access estimates 3 million deaf and hard of hearing people reside in California.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Sept. 24, 2012—Ottobock announces the new hire of Laurie King as a sales representative in the area of mobility solutions. In her new position she is responsible for calling on customers in the state of Florida.
SARASOTA, Fla., Sept. 24, 2012—Residential elevators are enjoying a boom as seniors consider their choices for aging in place. Harmar recently introduced a second Everest elevator line, the Elite, expanding its capabilities to handle even more new construction and renovation projects.
Washington, D.C., Sept. 27, 2012—Now that a bill, H.R. 6490, has been introduced in the House to enact the Market Pricing Program, we all need to line up support in the House and the Senate. While there is no companion bill in the Senate, it’s still important to talk to all lawmakers about the need to replace the existing bidding system.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 27, 2012—The Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) will be conducting an External Breast Prostheses webinar on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. The webinar will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. eastern time (ET) and is geared toward suppliers who bill Medicare for external breast prostheses and mastectomy bras.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 27, 2012—The Stand Up for Homecare campaign is the HME sector’s most important way to raise funds to help expand positive awareness about homecare and our issues in Washington.
Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2012—More than 500 occupational therapy clinicians, educators and students from across the U.S. convened on Capitol Hill last week to discuss key legislative issues affecting the profession and the state of health care.
HALIFAX, Va., Sept. 26, 2012—The National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) reports that when any Medicare-enrolled supplier delivers diabetic testing supplies to a beneficiary’s residence by mail order, the KL modifier (DMEPOS item delivered via mail) must be submitted on the claim line for each diabetic supply item delivered. However, when diabetic testing supplies are obtained from a local supplier storefront, the KL modifier should not be used.
WATERLOO, Iowa, Sept. 19, 2012–Tom Price, the Georgia congressman who has introduced a bill in the U.S. House to replace competitive bidding with the Market Pricing Program, will attend an Oct. 16 reception at Medtrade co-hosted by VGM CEO Van G. Miller, Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare, and Phillip Stoudenmire, president of the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Services.
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 19, 2012—Enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program is projected to increase by 11 percent in the next year and premiums will remain steady, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 10 percent and enrollment has risen by 28 percent.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 19, 2012—Staff from each of the four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs), National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC), Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor, and the competitive bidding implementation contractor (CBIC) will be among the many exhibitors available at Medtrade to provide information and address questions.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2012—Stakeholders are hopeful that eleventh-hour changes will smooth Medicare’s new prior authorization process for beneficiaries who have prescriptions for power wheelchairs.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 14, 2012—Amerigroup Corporation’s National Advisory Board (NAB) has launched a new, innovative toolkit. Consisting of 38 different resources, the collection of tools is designed to inform legislators, advocates and consumers on how to apply independent living philosophies to health care.
SEATTLE, Sept. 19, 2012—A report published by Stratford Retirement informs caregivers and elderly about financial options for assisted care. While Americans continue to live longer than ever, often well past traditional retirement years, there is a growing concern about the ability of Medicaid to cover long-term care cost. What has traditionally been a safety net for middle-income people with assisted care needs has now turned into a contested political topic.
ELYRIA, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2012—Invacare Corporation proudly sponsored the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic which took place Sept. 16-21 in San Diego, Calif. The clinic promotes rehabilitation of body and spirit by teaching summer sporting activities to veterans with significant physical or psychological impairments.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2012—The AAHomecare Medical Supplies Council has tackled several critical issues in recent months. Members of the Council and AAHomecare commented on the proposed application of inherent reasonableness (the ability for CMS to adjust reimbursement rates) for diabetic testing supplies furnished in a retail setting.
