Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week announced regulations to guide states in the creation of health insurance exchanges required under the Affordable Care Act. Starting in 2014, these one-stop marketplaces will allow consumers and small businesses to choose from a variety of private health insurance plans. Sebelius said the regulations offer states substantial flexibility as they design an insurance marketplace.
HomeCare News
The Kaiser Family Foundation has prepared a brief that provides a side-by-side comparison of recent proposals to transform Medicare into a premium support program.
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a fraud alert last week, warning beneficiaries about criminals who target people with diabetes.
The OIG reported there are variations of the diabetes scam, but it generally involves a call from someone claiming to be from the government, a diabetes association or Medicare. The caller offers "free" diabetic supplies, such as glucose meters, diabetic test strips or lancets.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has scheduled an open door forum from 3-4:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, March 21, on the prior authorization for power mobility devices demonstration.
The demonstration is scheduled for seven states: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina and Texas. The controversial program was canceled late in 2011, and then rescheduled for 2012 with significant changes.
Stand Up for Homecare, the American Association for Homecare’s signature event at Medtrade Spring, is set for Tuesday, April 10, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Venetian Hotel, Delfino Room 4005-4006, Las Vegas, Nev.
AAHomecare says the event offers industry leaders an opportunity to network and support efforts to deliver positive impressions about the HME sector in the media and on Capitol Hill.
Apria Healthcare Group Inc. of Lake Forest, Calif., last week announced that it will operate its two business units—Apria Healthcare Inc. and Coram Inc.—more autonomously and has appointed separate chief executive officers for each.
Daniel J. Starck will join the company on April 16 as CEO of Apria Healthcare Inc., the respiratory therapy/home medical equipment operating unit.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week published its final rule in the Federal Register revising DMEPOS supplier safeguards involving direct solicitation, licensure and local code/zoning requirements.
The rule:
• Removes the definition of “direct solicitation” from DMEPOS supplier standards.
Ottobock announced last week that it has hired Tammi Brasfield as a sales representative for Mobility Solutions. Brasfield is responsible for the territory of Georgia and Alabama. She holds a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of South Alabama.
Ottobock last week released the new Mygo Stander, the latest product in the Leckey family. The 3-in-1 supine, prone and upright stander is available in two sizes and brings standing therapy to children aged 4 to 14 years old and weighing up to 132 pounds.
A webinar addressing the basics of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) has been scheduled by National Government Services from 1:30-3 p.m. ET, March 15. It will provide a basic overview of regulations for delivering, completing and retaining the ABN form. It is open to all Medicare providers of Part A, Part B and DMEPOS suppliers. Registration is available online.
Premier Home Care Inc. of Louisville, Ky., recently presented a $17,000 check to Children’s Hospital Foundation, which benefits Kosair Children’s Hospital, and the Norton Healthcare Foundation. The two foundations work together to help meet needs of people facing complex health issues and personal challenges.
The Select Comfort Series of compression hosiery by SIGVARIS of Peachtree City, Ga., has been expanded to include petite and plus size products. Petite and plus sizes are now available for women and men, as well as expectant mothers with small, medium and large ankle sizes.
Federal authorities on Feb. 28 served search warrants on California offices of Pacific Pulmonary, a large provider of home oxygen, sleep therapy and nebulizer medications. The FBI searched offices of the company in Bakersfield and Novato, Calif., according to the local news outlets. Documents pertaining to the case were under seal ordered by the U.S. Court for the Northern District of California. The company issued a statement saying it was cooperating with the investigation.
Salter Labs last week announced the availability of the #7900 High Flow Humidifier. This is a dry bubble type of humidifier cleared for oxygen flows of 6-16 LPM, and is an ideal compliment for the 1600HF Series of high flow cannulas.
AAHomecare widely circulated a news release Thursday citing Medicare beneficiary difficulties accessing home medical equipment because of the Competitive Bidding Program. Released through PRNewswire, the article focused on nine metropolitan areas included in Round 1 of the Medicare bidding program, and said complaints from beneficiaries were widespread. “Some patients now need to travel long distances for prescribed equipment and repairs,” the article said.
The HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is pressuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop sanctions for homecare companies that miss deadlines for submitting OASIS data.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee last Tuesday approved a bill to end the Independent Advisory Board, a group created by the Affordable Care Act to provide advice on how to curb Medicare spending.
Republicans voiced concern that the board could exceed its advisory capacity and indirectly implement rationing of some health care services. A vote by the full House could come by the end of March.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has redesigned the statement it uses to inform Medicare beneficiaries about their claims for services and benefits in an attempt to simplify information and help prevent fraud.
The redesigned statement, known as the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), will be available online and, starting in 2013, will be mailed out quarterly to beneficiaries.
Univita Health of Scottsdale, Ariz., a provider of home-based care management, announced last week the acquisition of All-Med Services of Florida, an integrated provider of home-based care for 1 million people.
The acquisition means Univita will now support more than 5 million people through its comprehensive approach for coordinating and managing care for health plan members, including the most complex and chronically ill.
Officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Wednesday, March 14, will brief staff of members of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees on the Competitive Bidding Program, according to the American Association for Homecare.