HME

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.

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.

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.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 26, 2021)—On August 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) distributed an alert on Philips respiratory products under recall. In their notice, CMS tells patients with recalled devices:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 25, 2021)—National Seating & Mobility (NSM), North America’s largest provider of comprehensive mobility solutions, has broadened the company’s reach in Virginia with the acquisition of Trust Care Home Medical Equipment locations in Richmond and Roanoke. The acquisition positions NSM as the largest provider of complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) services in the state.  

BATON ROUGE, La. (August 24, 2021)—Louisiana home medical equipment (HME) providers now have more protection against payment caps for home ventilation services.

CINCINNATI (August 24, 2021)—Quipt Home Medical Corp., a U.S. based provider of home medical equipment focused on end-to-end respiratory care, announced its third quarter fiscal 2021 financial results and operational highlights. These results pertain to the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and are reported in U.S. dollars.