The New Oxygen Math

By Wallace Weeks

It has been three months since the 36-month cap on the rental of oxygen equipment went into effect, and most providers have found a way to stay in business....

The Tao of Now

By Gail Walker (gwalker@homecaremag.com)

As usual, there is a heaping helping of challenges on HME providers' plate: the oxygen cap, the 9.5 percent cut, the post-cap payment rules, a $50,000....

Inevitability and Opportunity

By Greg Thompson

The bitter reward for a hard-won competitive bidding delay came to fruition this January in the form of a 9.5 percent cut on a number of product categories,...

Surviving the Economic Downturn

By Miriam Lieber

As everyone looks inward during the country's economic downturn, the question is, how much has the recession impacted the HME industry? Although you hear...

Back to the Future

By Terry Pageler

The bald guy. That was my daughter's complete presentation of her father's 17-year service as protector, chauffer, banker, fixer, soccer ball stopper....

Data Drive

By Kelly Riley CRT, RCP

There have been countless hours of discussion in the HME industry of late regarding CMS' newly implemented oxygen policy and payment rules....

Team Players

By Velma Goertzen

For most businesses, the normal reaction in tough times is to reduce staff and cut, if not eliminate, staff education....

Franchising

By Jack Evans with Scott Purdy

Have you developed the perfect model for your home medical equipment business?...

Providers Beware

By Susanne Hopkins

Most people know him as Frank Margulis, a former home medical equipment provider, now a business consultant and owner of Margin Consultants in Opelika....

Marketing Alternatives

By Neil B. Caesar

There is good news and there is bad news with the anti-fraud and Stark laws and other anti-referral rules. The good news is that these laws permit many...

100 and Counting

By Denise H. McClinton

There were some important events in 1909. Commander Robert E. Peary of the U.S. Navy was the first person to reach the North Pole....

Shuler Calls on Congress to End Competitive Bidding

At a congressional hearing yesterday, Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., called for an end to national competitive bidding. Shuler convened the hearing ...

HomeCare Welcomes New Editorial Advisory Board Members

Atlanta Kevin M. Gaffney, CEM, and Seth Johnson are the newest members of HomeCare's Editorial Advisory Board....

Trends

Every year we see manufacturers introducing new oxygen products that fit a certain need for suppliers. Providers are looking for quality products that...

Notable & Quotable

Educational Conference Focuses on Key HME Issues

Legislative and regulatory issues, increased operational efficiency and improved patient care will headline the educational conference at Medtrade Spring....

HomeCare Magazine Named as Official Publication of Medtrade Events

Nielsen Business Media announces HomeCare magazine is the official publication of Medtrade and Medtrade Spring....

Deep Freeze

By Stephanie Silk (ssilk@homecaremag.com)

In January, Kentucky was hit with what Gov. Steve Beshear described as the worst natural disaster to hit Kentucky in modern times. A severe ice storm...

Post-Payment Review

Normally we look at claim denials, but there are other reasons why HME providers don't receive their money....

Proof of Service

By Tyler Wilson

To ensure providers across the HME sector are able to recoup the fees for services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries, it takes collaboration among every...

Loud and Clear

By Cara C. Bachenheimer, Esq.

You keep reading the headlines: According to government projections, U.S. health care spending is estimated to have reached $2.4 trillion in 2008....

Door-Opening Strategies

By Louis Feuer, ma, msw

As the boomers age, people live longer and the elderly seek help with the activities of daily living, we are witnessing tremendous growth in the number....

Why We Do What We Do

By Jane Bunch

With the many changes in our industry and all of the negativity you hear, I am sure you have asked yourself this question: Why do we do what we do?...

Competency Control

By Mary Ellen Conway, RN, BSN

Accredited providers, and those now becoming accredited, know that there are many requirements that must be met either to pass an initial survey....

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