On May 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Change Request (CR) 8636, updating the procedures used in the surety bond collection process for durable medical equipment suppliers. The CR 8636 revised procedures for suppliers in making a claim against a surety bond.

June 26, 2014 (All day) Columbus, Ohio oames.org OAMES 5th Annual Summer Camp is an educational program that offers a mid-year training and networking opportunity for the billing topics your administrative staff is managing. This year’s event will be held June 26 in Columbus at the Quest Business Center.

WATERLOO, Iowa (June 5, 2014)—The 13th edition of the VGM Group, Inc.’s Heartland Conference invites attendees to “Define Your Future” during four days of education and networking in downtown Waterloo. Nearly 1,000 home medical equipment providers, vendors, speakers and industry friends are expected at the annual event, which opens today with pre-conference educational sessions and a golf tournament, followed by a hog roast and fireworks display. The keynote address Tuesday morning will be pre

WATERLOO, Iowa (May 23, 2014)—Advocacy group People for Quality Care (PFQC) launched Dear Medicare, a website that features stories of seniors and people with disabilities who are being negatively impacted by health care policies. “We understand that many Americans are unaware that seniors and people with disabilities are struggling to access their medical equipment and care,” said Kelly Turner, PFQC director of advocacy.

SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2014)—Umbian, Inc., a ResMed company, and provider of cloud-based health care compliance solutions, announced the outcome of a new study that shows significant, measurable efficiency gains when using the automated messaging capabilities of its U-Sleep compliance management solution. The study reveals a 59 percent reduction in labor associated with intervening and coaching patients on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy when using U-Sleep.

ELYRIA, Ohio & WATERLOO, Iowa (May 27, 2014)—On May 6, 2014, Invacare Corporation and VGM Group, Inc., signed a new multiyear agreement. “We are excited to continue one of the great partnerships in our industry,” said Mal Mixon, chairman of the board, Invacare Corporation.

LEBANON, Tenn. (May 28, 2014)—Permobil announced its acquisition of TiLite, a manufacturer of innovative and individually customized manual wheelchairs. Founded in 1998, TiLite has an innovative and user-focused range of active wheelchairs. The company designs and manufactures ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs in titanium or aluminum that can be customized to each user’s exact specification.

(May 29, 2014)—On May 28, 2014, New Jersey public television affiliate NJTV featured a story on how the bidding process is hurting local suppliers and patients. Click here to watch the story.

ATLANTA (May 29, 2014)—Brightree, a provider of cloud-based clinical, billing and business management software solutions for the post-acute care industry, announced that it has strengthened its electronic data exchange relationship with McKesson Medical-Surgical Minnesota Supply Inc. Brightree will now offer electronic purchasing transactions and initial program setup at no charge for Brightree customers through McKesson Direct, an electronic order interface for HME providers.