2000

Providers are asking how the industry's coming changes will affect their business.

2001

The days of the Golden Commode are gone as providers struggle to repair the HME industry's reputation.

2002

As talk of competitive bidding grows, the industry faces tough choices that could change the course of home care.

2003

Can customer service survive the industry's bottom-line breakdown? HomeCare asks the question, and providers answer that it must.

2004

As awareness of OSA increases, providers wake up to growing opportunities in the burgeoning sleep biz.

2005

Natural disasters have a way of changing business priorities. Post-Katrina, the magazine offers an insurance check-up for providers' list of to-dos — or should-have-dones.

2006

The squeeze is on for providers of home oxygen and inhalation therapies.

2007

Too many questions and too little time. CMS announces the final rule on national competitive bidding April 2, then opens the round one bid window April 9.

2008

We can't wait to read the rest of the HME story. HomeCare salutes all of you who have contributed to this tremendous industry, and who have taken part in protecting and creating its future.

Equipment Evolution

1970s

Walton Manufacturing Co. promised increased rentals and sales from its speed bike, massage roller and “dynamic cycle.”

Invacare introduced its 24-inch magnesium Endurance Wheel.

From a Hallmark orthopedic specialties ad for the H-118 halter kit

The diaphragm compressor, by John Bunn, featured a 1/8-hp motor that delivered 0.25 cfm at 50 psi continuously.

Marx Medical advertised “No bottles … No returns” for its Home Oxygen Support System.

1980s

Richard's Orthopaedic Accessories' kinetic CPM machine provided continuous passive motion for the legs.

AirSep's 4LyF oxygen concentrator was “built for the patient, engineered for the dealer.”

The Porta-Sonic ultrasonic nebulizer from DeVilbiss weighed 2.5 pounds.

Seventy percent of all diabetics were using urine testing, but Miles Laboratories' new monitor measured glucose levels with only one drop of blood.

Sullivan's glue-on mask

1990s

The Pacesaver Junior by Leisure-Lift

Pride's first Jazzy rolls off the line.

Responding to impending oxygen cuts, Chad Therapeutics launches its Total O2 delivery system.

Roho's AirLite cushion combines sealed-air support and contoured foam.

2000s

Customers are looking for non-medical-looking products, and Home Care by Moen debuts its fashionable line of bath safety grab bars and grips.

POCs multiply as ambulatory oxygen-users want to get out of the house. Shown here, SeQual's Eclipse 2.

The nation's obesity epidemic sets in, and Big Boyz brings out the Kings Pride 1000 for bariatric patients weighing 1,000 pounds.

Puritan Bennett's Helios Personal Oxygen System.