Count Another Hill Lobbyist for HME

MARTINEZ, Ga. — Last week, the Committee to Save Independent HME Suppliers announced it has hired the Capitol Hill Consulting Group, a Washington, D.C., lobby firm. The focus of CSI:HME, the group said, is "to lobby Congress in support of legislation addressing the needs and goals of the thousands of independent small business providers across the nation."

Time for New Medicare Application Form

According to CMS, effective June 1, DMEPOS suppliers submitting applications to Medicare must use the revised CMS-855S form or the application will be rejected. The revised form includes a 26th Supplier Standard: "All DMEPOS suppliers must obtain a surety bond in order to receive and retain a supplier billing number." The revised form also includes a section for reporting surety bond information. View the revised CMS-855S form.

Senate Confirms Corr as HHS Deputy Secretary

On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Bill Corr as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. He fills the No. 2 spot at the department and will work with newly sworn-in HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as the national debate on health reform heats up. Corr most recently served as executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and served as HHS chief of staff during the Clinton administration.

New Logo Launch for Pride

Pride Mobility Products Corp., Exeter, Pa., unveiled a new logo and tagline last week: Performance Mobility — Live Your Best. The new logo draws the correlation between Pride's performance-based products and the consumer's ability to lead an independent, active life, the company said. The logo and tagline will be used for all retail mobility and standard power products, which primarily target the geriatric market.

CDC Studies Health Workers in Flu Spread

In a Wednesday press briefing, Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the role of health workers in helping spread the H1N1 flu is getting a look. "When you're thinking about risk, who comes in contact with the most individuals who are sick and have flu? Health care workers," Besser said. With the disease in the United States turning out to be mild, Besser said CDC teams are already going back in to study its spread.

Overview of HIPAA 5010

CMS has issued an MLN Matters Article outlining HIPAA 5010 changes and how providers need to plan. According to the agency, "implementation will require changes to the software, systems and perhaps procedures that you use for billing Medicare and other payers. So it is extremely important that you are aware of these HIPAA changes and plan for their implementation." Read the overview in MLN Matters SE0904.

ResMed Reports Record Quarterly Results

ResMed, San Diego, has announced record revenue and income for the quarter ended March 31. Revenue for the 2009 quarter was $227.9 million, an 8 percent increase (a 16 percent increase on a constant currency basis) over the 2008 quarter. Income from operations was $52.5 million and net income was $39.2 million, an increase of 40 percent and 32 percent, respectively, compared to last year's results. Earnings per share were $0.51, an increase of 34 percent over the same quarter in 2008.

Nurses, PAs Work against RLS

The Practicing Clinicians Exchange said last week it will partner with the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation to provide continuing education programs to nurse practitioners and physician assistants on RLS. According to the PCE, one in 10 Americans has RLS, which is characterized by an irrestible urge to move th legs. Symptoms often occur at night, disrupting sleep and causing a reduced quality of life.

Corr Confirmed at HHS

WASHINGTON--On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Bill Corr as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. He fills the No. 2 spot at the department and will work with newly sworn-in HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as the national debate on health reform heats up.