WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2012—More than half of America’s Boomer caregivers, ages 40 to 60, need support and help, according to a new survey conducted by AARP and the Ad Council. The survey coincides with the launch of a new multimedia public service advertising (PSA) campaign created to provide information and support to the more than 42 million unpaid caregivers nationwide, many of whom feel isolated and alone in caring for their loved ones.
HomeCare News
BALTIMORE, Aug. 22, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has clarified the applicability of the DMEPOS quality standards for ultra-light manual wheelchairs during an open door forum.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 21, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces that registration is now open to all suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.
NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 20, 2012—Sentara Healthcare and MDLIVE announce an unprecedented partnership that will deliver secure real-time medical consultations to patients with an established regional network of physicians available via telephone and online video throughout the state of Virginia. The deal also gives Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare a first-of-its-kind equity stake in the privately held Sunrise, Fla.-based telehealth firm.
HALIFAX, Va., Aug. 15, 2012—According to the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES), National Government Services—the Jurisdiction B Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC)—would like to remind durable medical equipment prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers that in order to obtain and retain billing privileges they must follow all 30 supplier standards.
WATERLOO, Iowa, Aug. 13, 2012—A study released last Monday reveals that calling the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) results in at least a five-minute wait before a human voice is heard. Independent accounting firm Hogan-Hansen PC conducted the study for Last Chance for Patient Choice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending competitive bidding for home medical equipment, and the American Association for Homecare.
AAHomecare has voiced strong concerns to CMS regarding a recent DME MAC policy change for refills of “non-consumable” DME supplies. In a letter to the Agency on Monday AAHomecare called on CMS to direct the DME MACs to rescind the policy, characterizing it as “arbitrary, vague and unworkable.”
DALLAS, Aug. 14, 2012—MedAct Software, a provider of integrated business solutions for HME/DME companies, announces record-setting growth thus far in 2012. The company has continued its growth from the previous year with double digit increases in revenue. In the last three months, top-line revenue increased more than 33 percent.
London, UK, June 25, 2012—Royal Philips Electronics welcomes the conclusions of the recently published British Medical Journal paper on the findings from the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) cluster randomized trial. The peer reviewed paper assesses the effect of telehealth on mortality in secondary care and found that for people with long-term conditions, remote patient monitoring can reduce deaths and help patients avoid the need for emergency hospital care.
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., August 13, 2012—Drive Medical, one of the leading manufacturers of durable medical equipment in the health-care industry, has announced a partnership with Northwood, Inc., a specialized network of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS) providers.
PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Aug. 15, 2012—Fastrack Healthcare Systems, Inc., has introduced a new automated system that is an effective, secure and reliable method of responding to a CMS audit request. According to Spencer Kay, president/CEO, “We are pleased to offer this new technology that will help providers in responding to audits by streamlining their processes for the capture, storage and submission of medical documentation to CMS.
OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 9, 2012—Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare plan website received MedicareWebWatch certification, and scored the highest rating among 137 Medicare Advantage websites nationwide for a second consecutive year, according to independent research firm, HealthMetrix Research Inc. The websites are rated for excellence in content, member connectivity, design and privacy assurance.
BALTIMORE, Md., Aug. 15, 2012—Medicare is denying an increasing number of claims because providers are not identifying or sending claims to the correct primary payer prior to claims submission. Medicare would like to remind providers, physicians and suppliers that they have the responsibility to bill correctly and to ensure claims are submitted to the appropriate primary payer.
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2012—Home health, home care and other professional caregivers face a bewildering array of options for monitoring the independent elderly, and they often have to play integrator to make disparate devices work together. A new agreement between Independa and IDEAL LIFE will help avoid that hassle, time and expense by providing caregivers and caregiving organizations a suite of solutions that are connected and ready to use right out of the box.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 16, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the bidding timeline for the Round 1 Recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. To view the timeline visit the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.
Bidder Education Program
PHOENIX, Aug. 9, 2012—Mercy Jets has announced its plans to add custom designed handicap ramps allowing wheelchair-bound passengers to board aircrafts independently. This is the latest convenience the company offers to its clients who need medical assistance.
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 14, 2012—United Spinal Association presents the 2012 Independence Expo–Orlando, the region’s premier lifestyle-enhancing Expo for people with disabilities of all ages, exploring health, mobility, work, travel, and recreation. The expo is free and open to the public. It will be held on August 24-25 at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida. “Explore Your Abilities” is this year’s theme.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2012—Last Monday representatives from the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) met with U.S. Department of Treasury and IRS staff to discuss the medical device tax, which was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
NEW YORK, Aug. 7, 2012—United Spinal Association’s VetsFirst program played a key role in supporting the passage of legislation that improves access to service dogs, rehabilitation services and adaptive housing for veterans with disabilities that was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Monday, August 6, 2012.
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2012—The Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI) has released Working Paper #4 of the Clinically Advanced and Cost-Effective Placement (CACEP) research project, which examines hospital readmission and admission frequency and associated Medicare episode payments across three episode types: post-acute, pre-acute and non-post-acute (community-based) care.