By Liz Carey
(May 4, 2018)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS-1692-P) that would update the Medicare hospice wage index, payment rates, and cap amount for fiscal year (FY) 2019. As proposed, hospices would see an estimated 1.8 percent ($340 million) increase in Medicare payments for FY 2018.
Highlights of the proposal include physician assistants serving as attending physicians, effective January 1, 2019.
(May 4, 2018)—A trio of homecare industry organizations is launching a national digital grassroots campaign to educate consumers and professionals about the health benefits of choosing in-home care for older loved ones or family members recovering from an illness.
MASSACHUSETTS (May 3, 2018)—Mass Home Care announced today that Lisa Gurgone has been appointed as its new Executive Director. Mass Home Care is the top advocacy organization for the Aging Services Access Points in Massachusetts. Its 30 member agencies provide home- and community-based care for the elderly and disabled throughout every part of the commonwealth.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 3, 2018)—United Spinal Association, United Ostomy Associations of America and Spina Bifida Association partnered with AAHomecare on a comprehensive white paper to articulate why competitive bidding should not include urologicals and ostomy supplies. The white paper counters recent references to expanding the controversial bid program in the President’s Budget and MedPAC recommendations.
WATERLOO, Iowa (May 2, 2018)—VGM Fulfillment, a division of VGM Group, Inc., announced the launch of its new compression stocking resupply program.
The addition of a flexible enterprise resource planning system and more than 20,000 square feet of additional warehouse and office space has led to the expansion the new program, complimenting VGM Fulfillment’s existing CPAP resupply program, which packs and ships more than two million orders to customers’ doorsteps annually.
WATERLOO, Iowa (May 2, 2018)—VGM Group, Inc. announced today the official release of its latest playbook, Industry Insights: How to Capitalize on Opportunities in Post-Acute Health.
This is the second edition in a series that the membership service organization has created for stakeholders in the DMEPOS industry to download and use to adjust to an ever-changing business climate.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (May 2, 2018)—Building on an established track record of organic growth, Cure Medical is announcing today that their full line of ready-to-use, 16-inch Cure hydrophilic catheters is now approved for sale in Canada.
“The demand in Canada for Cure Medical catheters is increasing. Cure Medical will continue to expand our product availability and brand awareness in this market,” said CEO John Anderson.
By Liz Carey
(May 2, 2018)—Amedisys enlarged its personal care footprint with its subsidiary Associated Home Care’s close of the acquisition of East Tennessee Personal Care Services based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania—UPMC Pinnacle and MedCare Equipment Company LLC announced the launch of their new joint venture: MedCare Susquehanna Valley LLC. The accredited home medical equipment and respiratory company furnishes home medical equipment, respiratory services and medical supplies to customers and patients.
