Big or Small, Providers Prove They Can Weather the Storm [Regarding the article “East Coast Providers Weather Isabel,” HomeCare Monday, Sept. 22], we were the first and only DME company here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We, too, followed up on all of our oxygen patients before the storm. Charlie Watson of the Emergency Medical Services along with Dare County Home Health and Ellie Ward assisted me in making sure patients that were not even under my care were provided for during the hurricane if needed. Once again, the little guy comes through. — Michael Melson, owner, Advantage Medcare Systems, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Manufacturers Have a Role in Fraud Prevention The federal government should realize that the provider cannot commit fraud without…

VGM Group Launches New Resources, Announces Partnership Waterloo, Iowa The VGM Group launched vgmMESA.net, a Web-based resource for state and regional medical equipment providers’ associations, at Medtrade, held last month in Atlanta. The new resource includes D.C. Link, which provides access to state and local political and regulatory officials; an Association Directors’ Toolkit, which allows executive directors to communicate electronically with their association members and other directors; Medicaid and HIPAA libraries; presentations for use in educational seminars; and draft letters to legislators. In other VGM news, The Motion Group of Canada, an association of 24 specialized rehabilitation equipment providers, will merge its operations with VGM. The Motion Group will continue to operate as a separate entity. VGM also has signed an agreement with Atlanta-based Fidelis…

Washington On Oct. 20, members of the Health Insurance Association of American and the American Association of Health Plans voted to merge their two organizations, creating a formidable lobbying powerhouse. Directors of the two trade groups voted to unify the associations during board meetings in late September. The association will be known as AAHP/HIAA until the combined board approves a new name. AAHP/HIAA members provide coverage for more than 200 million Americans. The directors of the two groups have asked AAHP President Karen Ignagni to lead the new association. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

In the shadow of Universal Studios, a few short blocks from the streets where stars like Jane Wyman and John Wayne made names for themselves, sits a community drugstore that caters to North Hollywood’s less visible residents — the Hispanic, Russian and African American citizens who have made Tinsel Town their home. PX Drugstore has served this neighborhood for more than 27 years, staying true to a concept that keeps the store from going the way of silent movies: “We keep track of what’s going on in our community,” says Jeff Willard, PX’s home health coordinator. Noticing a growing demand for home care items, PX added a full-service home medical equipment component in November 2001. This year, heeding the health care headlines, the store beat…

ACHC Announces New Affiliations: The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Raleigh, N.C., announced new affiliations with the Amarillo, Texas-based law firm Brown & Fortunato, and the Oxford, Mich.-based buying group Essentially Women. Brown & Fortunato, whose attorneys specialize in representing durable medical equipment companies, hospitals and physicians, will provide ACHC’s customers with educational materials and legal and legislative updates, the organization said. ACHC’s strategic partnership with Essentially Women will focus on standardizing business practices within the women’s health industry, according to Cindy Ciardo of Essentially Women. In other ACHC-related news, The Scooter Store, New Braunfels, Texas, announced it has met all of the initial requirements for ACHC accreditation. Continental Home Healthcare Acquires Rehab Company: Continental Home Healthcare, Glendale, Calif., has acquired MK Medical, a customized…

Invacare Announces Two Acquisitions: Invacare, Elyria, Ohio, has expanded its reach to further the company’s goal of reaching $2 billion in revenue by 2006, acquiring Carroll Healthcare, a London, Ontario, Canada-based bed manufacturer, and Motion Concepts, a Toronto-based manufacturer of power tilt and recline systems for power wheelchairs. A privately owned business prior to the acquisition, Motion Concepts will continue to operate independently, Invacare explained. “Motion will retain its own design and engineering staff and sales organization,” Invacare said. Carroll also will retain its own manufacturing and administration. The companies did not disclose the terms of either acquisition. Medline Expands Wound Care Product Line: Medline Industries, Mundelein, Ill. has expanded its wound care line to include gauze sponge products, specifically, a premium line of non-woven…