Editor's note: This article will be updated with new information about the novel coronavirus outbreak as it relates to home health, home medical equipment and the aging-in-place community as we receive it. Please make sure you check homecaremag.com/coronavirus for longer articles, news releases and other updates on a daily basis. Note that date stamps are Central time.
BOTHELL, Wash. (June 10, 2020)—On May 29, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its policy for HCPCS E0467 (Multi-Function Ventilator) removing “same or similar” restrictions and paving the way for increased access to integrated respiratory care for ventilator users regardless of their device billing history.
ORANGE, Calif. (JUNE 03, 2020)—GrandPad, creator of the first purpose-built tablet for people over 75, announced the addition of connected device capabilities to its mobile device and telehealth platform to support virtual care and remote monitoring for health care providers.
WASHINTON, D.C. (June 10, 2020)—AAHomecare’s membership approved a new leadership slate, installing Bill Guidetti (executive vice president, East Zone, Apria Healthcare – Red Bank, N.J.) as chairman of the Board. Other officers elected include:
BOCA RATON, Fla. (June 10, 2020)—Clear Arch Health, a provider of mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS) and remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology, announced a new program designed to address both emergent medical needs and social determinants of health (SDOH).
Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News
Doctors are fighting not only to save lives from COVID-19, but also to protect patients’ brains.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 9, 2020)—On June 2, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to modify aspects of various innovation models being administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) in response to COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
SAN FRANCISCO (June 8, 2020)—There are 13 million pushes of passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) in North America each year, according to surveys conducted by WHILL, a mobility service company. At $45-$60 a push, this adds up. Add in the current COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing guidelines, PRM operation is difficult to manage.
WATERLOO, Iowa (June 5, 2020)—VGM & Associates have released three new resources to help members navigate the new business climate post-PHE. These resources include the latest edition of the VGM playbook, a remote guide to help members transition into a virtual working environment, and a re-opening checklist to help businesses prepare for the new environment.
SACREMENTO, Calif. (June 5, 2020)—California HME stakeholders achieved a measure of success last year in pushing back against a Medi-Cal proposal for Medicaid reimbursement rates based on 80% of non-rural Medicare rates, convincing the agency to use higher rural rates, instead. The new rates went into effect in April 2020 and will be applied retroactively to January 2019; Medi-Cal is anticipated to begin recoupments soon.