ATLANTA (October 19, 2021)— The home medical industry has made significant progress in recent months but still faces big challenges in Washington, including the threat of Medicare cuts and uncertainty about competitive bidding, Tom Ryan, president and CEO of the American Association of Homecare, said in his update at Medtrade East.
HME
MOBILE, Ala. (October 19, 2021)—Supreme Medical Fulfillment has joined the American Associatoin for Homecare (AAHomecare)—the national association dedicated to advancing the home medical equipment (HME) community.
ATLANTA (October 14, 2021)—The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is proud to announce the 2021 Van Miller Homecare Champion award, recognizing outstanding home medical equipment (HME) service, will be presented to Steve Ackerman, president and CEO of Spectrum Medical in Silver Spring, Maryland.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 13, 2021)—Ninety-five members of the House of Representatives have joined a Congressional sign-on letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize the durable medical equipment (DME) rule and extend the 50/50 blended rates for suppliers serving rural areas.
WATERLOO, Iowa (October 12, 2021)—Nominations for the 2021 HME Woman of the Year Award are being accepted through Oct. 22.
The sixth annual award, presented by VGM, recognizes a woman in the industry who has made increasingly significant contributions throughout her career to her company, community and the home medical equipment (HME) industry.
Today’s market trends will shape the future
ARLINGTON, Va. (October 7, 2021)—Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) announced new home medical equipment (HME)/durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics (DMPOS) standards approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The new standards will be used for all HME/DMEPOS surveys starting Jan. 1 2022.
AKRON, Ohio (October 5, 2021)—ACU-Serve, Corp. has acquired Professional Medical Administrators, Inc. (Pro-Med) to become the largest home medical equipment (HME) revenue cycle management firm in the United States.
Pro-Med was founded in November 1996 by Sylvia Toscano, a respected industry veteran, who will assume a role with ACU-Serve as its V.P. of Client Services.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2021)—AAHomecare’s first-ever virtual legislative conference saw 140 durable medical equipment (DME) industry advocates engage more than 220 Congressional offices on DME priorities, including addressing Medicare rates that don’t reflect the market realities and rising costs currently facing suppliers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2021)—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made $25.5 billion in funds available starting Sept. 29th. HHS is now accepting applications for General Distribution Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments. HHS is also accepting requests for reconsideration of Phase 3 payment calculations.
ATLANTA (September 28, 2021)—In light of the changing public health situation in the United States, Medtrade East is now requiring masks for the Oct. 18-20 show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
“Recent industry shows have required masks,” said York Schwab, associate show director, Medtrade East. “At this point, it’s the right decision for the health and safety of our exhibitors and attendees.”
DUBLIN, Ohio (September 23 2021)—Cardinal Health announced it has established a goal to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50% by 2030.
"We deliver products and services to improve the lives of people every day and our approach to doing business must help protect our planet for future generations," said Mike Kaufmann, CEO at Cardinal Health. "We're operating sustainably and responsibly so we can care for our people and our planet—today, and tomorrow."
DUNBRIDGE, Ohio (September 21, 2021)—Tranquility Briefs, a product developed and manufactured in northwest Ohio, recently achieved Netflix fame through a mention in the streaming provider’s original series, “The Chair.” While the series centers on higher education, it also addresses other societal issues, like aging and incontinence.
WATERLOO, Iowa (September 21, 2021)—VGM’s annual Heartland Conference celebrated its 20th event Sept. 13–15, 2021, by welcoming nearly 1,000 guests from across the country to its hometown of Waterloo. The conference brings members of the HME community together each year for three days of networking and educational events.
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 16, 2021)—North Carolina Medicaid has agreed to extend the 5% Medicaid rate increase granted to help home medical equipment (HME) suppliers respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for an additional two months. The agency had discussed ending the increase for HME on Sept. 30, 2021; it will now remain in place through Nov. 30, 2021.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 14, 2021)—The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patients can regain independence with self-transfers
Updated Sept. 10 at 8:22 a.m. Central, to reflect further industry reactions.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (September 9, 2021)—WellSky, a health and community care technology company, announced that Andy Eilert has joined the company as president, emerging markets, effective immediately. In this role, Eilert will focus on enhancing WellSky’s provider software and analytics capabilities to optimize care and scale provider performance through new ventures and strategic opportunities in emerging health care markets.
Visualizing operations for a better business outcome
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 8, 2021)—Leaders of the durable medical equipment (DME) industry announced the formation of DMEscripts LLC, an independent e-prescribe company dedicated to improving the patient, prescriber and provider experience by eliminating inefficiencies and reducing paperwork.