BALTIMORE — A DME MAC notice last week added podiatrists to the list of providers who are exempt from CMS' accreditation requirement.
While they were not specifically listed as exempt in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, the notice said, podiatrists are included under the definition of a physician as defined in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act.
WASHINGTON — The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act has been signed into law by President Obama as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management bill.
WASHINGTON — The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (H.R. 1829), introduced March 31 by Reps. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.C.; Tim Murphy, R-Pa.; and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., would allow physical therapists to evaluate and treat beneficiaries without a physician referral.
WASHINGTON — Long-time disability advocate Henry Claypool has been named director of the HHS Office on Disability. In his new position, Claypool will serve as the primary adviser to the HHS secretary on disability policy and will oversee the implementation of all HHS programs pertaining to Americans with disabilities.
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Apria Healthcare announced last week the giant provider will eliminate 90 jobs at its billing office in Machesney Park, Ill.
Citing consolidation due to Medicare cuts, Apria Executive Vice President Lisa Getson told Business Rockford that seven billing centers nationwide will be affected over the next 12 months.
CROYDON, Pa. — Bilt-Rite/Mastex has moved into an expanded 26,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility just outside of Philadelphia. The new plant also includes a larger warehouse failicity where more finished products can be kept on hand, according to a release. "Our new expanded plant is amazing," said Will Palmer, operations manager. "Despite the slowing economy, American manufacturing is alive and well at Bilt-Rite/Mastex.
ILLINGS, Mont. — David Schaer has been named president of Computers Unlimited in the company's first management transition in more than 30 years. With its roots in cylinder and inventory management software for the industrial welding supply and HME industries, the software company was founded in 1978 by David Schaer's father Michael Schaer.
ELKRIDGE, Md. — Dynamed Solutions has announed a pilot for the first commercial use of its HealtheTrax software service to minotor patients new to CPAP therapy.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The New Product Pavilion at Medtrade Spring, held in Las Vegas last month, offered attendees a peek at the latest innovation in home medical equipment.
Fourteen U.S. communities have been chosen for CMS' Care Transitions pilot to eliminate unnecessary hospital readmissions. The project, to continue through summer 2011, will promote "seamless transitions" from hospital to home, skilled nursing care or home health care to keep patients from returning to the hospital for ongoing care needs.
CMS has scheduled its next Home Health, Hospice and DME Open Door Forum Wednesday, May 13, from 2 pm to 3 pm ET. To participate by phone, dial 800/837-1935 and use Conference ID 94280596.
The Jurisdiction B DME MAC reminded providers last week that Medicare may not pay claims submitted on paper with certain exceptions. For a list of exceptions under the Administrative Simplification Compliance Act and an ASCA FAQ, visit www.NGSMedicare.com, select the DME supplier portal, then "Claims" and "Administrative Simplification Compliance Act."
BALTIMORE--In a statement issued Friday afternoon, CMS said the
interim final rule on competitive bidding would become effective as
scheduled April 18. The rule requires a rebid of Round One in
2009.
WASHINGTON--With only two days to go, industry supporters
continue the fight for rescission of the interim final rule on
competitive bidding. Unless the Obama administration issues an
executive order or CMS takes action to pull or delay the rule, it
will be implemented April 18.
WASHINGTON--According to Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, Congress has "been convinced before that a more competitive marketplace for durable medical equipment is the right way to move forward, and I think there is a way to do that and to meet them halfway."
ARLINGTON, Va.--In a letter sent Monday, the American
Association for Homecare and 27 regional and state home care
associations urged the White House Office of Health Reform, the
Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services to rescind the competitive bidding
interim final rule before it takes effect April 18.
ATLANTA — With just days left before the interim final rule goes into effect, the HME community is hammering away to get the specter of DMEPOS competitive bidding eliminated.
ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Association for Homecare intends to put its reworked 15-point plan for oxygen reform before Congress following a "yes" vote by its board, the association said last week. But during a nationwide call Thursday, it was clear some stakeholders are not so sure about the move.
WASHINGTON — Invacare Chairman and CEO Mal Mixon was among a group of health care executives invited to a roundtable discussion April 8 with White House health reform chief Nancy-Ann DeParle.
WASHINGTON — On April 2, U.S. Reps. Zach Space, D-Ohio, and Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., introduced the Preserve Patents Access to Reputable DMEPOS Providers Act of 2009 (H.R. 1970). The bill would exempt pharmacies from having to post DMEPOS surety bonds.
