—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 20, 2017)—Storms are brewing, and not just the metaphorical kind caused by crushing reimbursement and regulations. As we move into the late summer months, suppliers are readying their companies for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, heat waves and other disasters that wreak havoc on communities, leaving their customers in need of vital equipment and services.
ATLANTA (July 18, 2017)—One hundred days remain until Medtrade, the fall edition of the nation’s premiere HME trade show. Registration is officially open, and advance rates are in effect until August 26, 2017. The show convenes October 23–25, 2017, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta,Georgia.
—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 13, 2017)—The latest HME Audit Key survey results, running through the first quarter of 2017, show continued appeal determinations in favor of suppliers in several product categories, including overturn rates of 68 percent for respiratory products, 77 percent for ostomy, urological, wound care, and diabetic supplies, and 81 percent for NPWT devices and supplies. Other highlights from this round include:
ATLANTA (July 5, 2017)—Brightree LLC, a provider of cloud-based software to improve business and clinical performance of post-acute care organizations, announced today that it has acquired AllCall Connect, a provider of a live-calling solution for CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) patient resupply.
WATERLOO, Iowa (June 27, 2017)—Last week Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) introduced a bill that would provide coverage for wigs to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill, HR 2925 would allow wigs to be covered as durable medical equipment; opening access for Medicare beneficiaries that a dermatologist, oncologist or attending physician can certify medical necessity as a part of rehabilitative treatment.
DAVISON, Mich. (June 23, 2017)—Universal Software Solutions, Inc. (USSI), a provider of practice management solutions for the home health care and medical equipment markets, has enhanced its Healthcare Data Management Software (HDMS) with a powerful Collections & Denials Module. This new software development represents a streamlined and time-saving approach for home medical equipment (HME) billers to work accounts receivables and denied claims.
ATLANTA (May 18, 2017)—After reviewing many comments from exhibitors and attendees, Medtrade officials are expanding Expo hours on day two (Tuesday) and day three (Wednesday). The show will officially end on Wednesday evening with a reception on the show floor designed to increase exhibitor/attendee engagement. As an added incentive, reception attendees will have the chance to win a $5,000 cash prize.
Via AAHomecare—WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 17, 2017)—We have just received confirmation that Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has formally introduced legislation that would require prior authorization for certain home medical equipment items in higher price ranges. The formal title for HR 2445 will be the DMEPOS Access and Transparency Act of 2017, and may also be referred to as the DATA Act of 2017.
LENEXA, Kan. (May 8, 2017)—Mediware Information Systems, Inc., a provider of comprehensive post-acute health care software, announces they are hosting a free webinar for attendees on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET for HME suppliers. Attendees will learn about the different entities auditing HME claims for Medicare including RAC, ZPIC, UPICS, SMRC and CERT and the implications of the audits.
NASHVILLE (May 4, 2017)—NDC, Inc., a health care supply chain company, and Dedicated Distribution, Inc., a national full-line home health care wholesaler, announced that NDC has acquired Dedicated Distribution.
—via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2017)—As first reported in late January, CMS included bundling CPAP devices, related accessories, and services on a monthly basis for Round 2019 of competitive bidding for HME, starting with five new CBAs specific to CPAP products only.
ATLANTA (March 22, 2017)—Brightree a provider of cloud-based software for helping post-acute care companies improve business performance and patient outcomes, today announced that its home medical equipment (HME) billing and business management module has enhanced integration capabilities with AirView and myAir, ResMed’s cloud-based sleep and respiratory care patient management and patient engagement platforms.
The enhanced capabilities include:
ATLANTA (February 27, 2017) – Brightree, a provider of cloud-based software to improve clinical and business performance of post-acute care companies, announced the release of the Brightree Patient Collections GetPaidHME app that provides home medical equipment (HME) providers and other healthcare professionals with an quick way to process patient payments through their smartphone or tablet anywhere in real time.
ATLANTA (February 24, 2017)—Brightree, a provider of cloud-based software to improve clinical and business performance of post-acute care companies, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to develop ordering and processing capabilities for overnight pulse oximetry and home sleep apnea tests with Advanced Diagnostic Solutions, Inc. (ADSI), a diagnostic medical technology and patient care company that provides overnight home sleep apnea and pulse oximetry testing.
LOS ANGELES (February 23, 2017)—Heal, the app for on-demand doctor house calls, today announced the company is moving the needle towards changing the broken health care system through the transformative power of on-demand doctor house calls.
WATERLOO, Iowa (February 22, 2017)—Leitten Consulting released its latest findings on the economic impact Medicare spending has on health care as it relates to durable medical equipment.
Leitten’s study, “The Case for Medicare Investment in Durable Medical Equipment,” shows that the health care system and beneficiaries save on long-term costs if the government invests in durable medical equipment services up front.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2017)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) today released a briefing paper designed to assist home medical equipment leaders nationwide in their efforts to engage state Medicaid directors on future Medicaid rate-setting deliberations involving home medical equipment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 30, 2017)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is calling on the contractors administering TRICARE military health plans nationwide to reprocess claims for home medical equipment for the last six months of 2016 on account of provisions in recent health care legislation affecting Medicare reimbursement rates.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 18, 2017)—CMS published guidance to the states on Friday, January 13, in an effort to give strategies to the state to ensure access to DMEPOS is available. This was issued due to comments from 2016 on CMS 1651-P and 2011 comments submitted in response to Federal Register Request for Comment on alignment under Medicaid and Medicare. While CMS cannot enforce these suggestions, we believe that they would benefit both states and providers.
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (January 12, 2017)—Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical products, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sidhil Group Limited, effective January 6, 2017. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
WATERLOO, Iowa (January 11, 2017)—Planning is well underway for Essentially Women’s annual education conference and trade show.
Focus: The EW Conference will take place September 16–18 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The three-day Focus Conference will provide EW members with continuing education and training opportunities, resources to improve operational efficiencies and connect women’s health care professionals, industry consultants and vendors.
