BOSTON (July 22, 2021)—The MassHealth Medicaid program is implementing a 10% rate increase for durable medical equipment (DME) claims with dates of service effective July 1, 2021. The broad-based relief applies a 10% increase for all DME and augmentative and alternative communications codes and a 50% increase for labor code K0739, which covers repair or nonroutine service for DME other than oxygen equipment requiring a skilled technician.
HME
FRANKLIN, Mass. (July 20, 2021)—Dale Medical Products, Inc. has created a virtual space to allow clinicians, patients and purchasing/value analysis professionals the opportunity to learn about Dale products in a simulated setting. When visiting the Virtual Dale Medical Center, users can enter rooms by specialty to see products that are available for clinicians and their patients.
PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 14, 2021)—Show organizers capped off day three of Medtrade West with the New Product Pavilion Providers’ Choice Awards, sponsored by HomeCare Magazine.
Fifteen companies participated in this years’ product showcase, with products ranging from new apps to make evaluations simpler to pain relief devices. Attendees voted for their top choices. The winners are:
The more you know, the better off your business will be
Reposition your incontinence aisle as the go-to source
4 areas to focus on to help clients stay home safely
TOWSON, Md. (July 8, 2021)—BLACK+DECKER has announced the launch of BLACK+DECKER Health—a new product category within the BLACK+DECKER brand that will be dedicated to providing health and wellness solutions direct-to-consumers. As part of this announcement, the company has introduced goVia, a new product line of personal emergency response systems (PERS) designed to promote confident mobility for active older Americans.
ATLANTA (July 6, 2021)—SmartSaver rates are now in effect for Medtrade East, scheduled for Oct. 18-20, 2021 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. SmartSaver rates are the lowest possible rates for the nation’s largest HME-focused trade show.
THEODORE, Ala. (June 21, 2021)—Supreme Medical Fulfillment has become a silver associate sponsor of the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (GAMES).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2021)—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced important new information for recipients of the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Below are the key changes:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2021)—AAHomecare’s has membership approved a new leadership slate, re-electing Bill Guidetti (executive vice president, East Zone, Apria Healthcare—Red Bank, New Jersey) as chairman of the board and also approving two home medical equipment industry leaders to officer roles:
Josh Marx, managing director and vice president, Medical Service Company
AAHomecare vice chair
Cleveland, Ohio
SPENCERVILLE, Ind. (June 15, 2021)—Team@Work, a coaching and business services organization, continues to add to its impressive coaching staff with the appointment of Rebecca (Becky) Small, as vice president of DME/HME business development.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 11,2021)—Acuity Medical announced winners of the 2021 Excellence in Retail Award. Several retailers in the region were recognized for Outstanding Customer Service, Product Selection, Merchandising, Staff Training, and Community Service. Also recognized were key vendors Golden Technologies, Nova, EZ-ACCESS, ARJO, Stander and others.
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 11, 2021)—Oklahoma home medical equipment (HME) suppliers and a broad spectrum of other health care providers were cheered last week by a state Supreme Court ruling that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) does not have the authority to implement a managed care plan for the state’s Medicaid system.
PITTSBURGH, Penn. (June 8, 202)—sovaSage Incorporated, a Pittsburgh based company, announced the latest release of its TherapistAssist software (version 7.0). This new release provides an effortless and instantaneous handoff of mask and mask sizing recommendations between sleep labs, home sleep study services and durable medical equipment (DME) providers.
It’s time for HME to seize the opportunity in remote care
NORTHFIELD, Ill. (June 7, 2021)—Medline Industries, Inc., a privately held manufacturer and distributor of health care supplies with 2020 revenue of $17.5 billion, has entered into a definitive agreement through which it will receive a majority investment from a partnership comprised of funds managed by Blackstone, Carlyle and Hellman & Friedman. Those close to the deal value it at $30 billion, including debt.
Guide your MA & MCO customers so you can be reimbursed properly
ARLINGTON, Va. (June 1, 2021)—Home medical equipment (HME) suppliers in rural and other non-bid areas received significant support in the April 2020 Cares Act through measures that extended the 50/50 blended rate for rural suppliers through the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), and for the first time provided a 75/25 rate (a blend using 75% current adjusted rates and 25% unadjusted rates) for suppliers in other non-bid areas for the duration of the PHE.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (June 1, 2021)—Griffin Randall recently joined the Emerald sales team as a business development representative for Medtrade. Randall will explore new business opportunities for Medtrade (booths and sponsorships) as well as service existing customers.
Randall comes from the fast and furious world of retail where he worked at Best Buy, starting in the home theater section and eventually extending his responsibilities to virtually everything under the Best Buy roof.
BATON ROUGE, La. (May 21, 2021)—In a victory for home ventilator providers, the Louisiana House of Representative passed HB 594 on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. The legislation prevents insurers, MCOs and other payers from setting reimbursement caps for ventilators.