FAMES Mobilizes Statewide Opposition to Oxygen Retesting: The Florida Association of Medical Equipment Services is pushing a statewide initiative to oppose a national policy draft that proposes the retesting of Group I oxygen patients between their 61st and 90th days following setup.

“Our opposition to this policy is based on the procedural as well as clinical aspects of this policy draft,” says Joan Cross, president of FAMES. “The fashion in which this policy is being implemented is procedurally flawed because it circumvents the rules as applied by Congress to such items.”

The policy draft was delegated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to the medical directors of contracted Medicare Part B carriers, according to a FAMES press release. “In essence a private insurance carrier is making national policy and attempting an ‘end run’ around the members of Congress and the rules that would ordinarily apply,” reads the press release, which calls the proposal “reimbursement driven.”

In an effort to block the policy draft, FAMES is organizing members and additional medical equipment suppliers in the state of Florida to publicly comment on re-testing and the potential detrimental medical impact to patients it might have.

At press time in mid-September, the policy was still open for public comment and meetings to discuss the issue were scheduled by the four durable medical equipment regional carriers.

Other state associations are also urging action. The Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association in its monthly newsletter, “ADMEA News,” recommended that members avoid using “cookie cutter” comments by downloading a copy of the draft policy and studying it carefully before preparing a response. “Numbers count,” reads the newsletter, “and the medical directors are required to consider and respond to every comment … At the very least, a large number of comments may delay implementing any change in policy.”

New Faces At OAMES; New Oxygen Rule In Ohio: The Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services has elected new board members.

Carol Gilligan of Cleveland-based Health Aid of Ohio, Kathy Mikolajczak of Toledo, Ohio-based Toledo IV Care, and David Zake of Cleveland-based Lorraine Surgical Supply were elected to board and confirmed at the annual meeting in August.

In other Ohio news, the Ohio Health Plan Committee report included a new oxygen rule, effective Nov. 2, that stipulates the covered services and limitations regarding oxygen coverage. The new rule, which reflects OAMES' input, officials said, includes an extension of up to 24 months in the length of time a prior authorization can be requested, depending on medical necessity; a removal of the time limit for a physician's signature of certificate medical necessity; and a change in the date requirement of ABG or pulse oximetry reading for initial and re-certifications.

IAHHC Moves to New Office, Elects New Officers: The Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care moved from its home office of nearly 10 years to a new location in August. Based in Indianapolis, the IAHHC moved locations in order to reduce occupancy expenses and gain more practical office space. The new office, located in a renovated space in the Castle Creek building in Indianapolis, features a larger meeting room which will allow the IAHHC to hold more workshops onsite rather than in rented classrooms, officials said.

In other IAHHC news, newly elected board members include: Sue Duckwell, president, Interim Healthcare, East Central Indiana; Karen Flynn, vice president, of Evansville, Ind.-based Visiting Nurse Plus; and Diane Christian, secretary, Indianapolis-based Clarian Home Care. Greg Conrad of South Bend, Ind.-based Memorial Hospital Home Care was re-elected treasurer.

MAMES Releases Congressional Resource List: The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services has released a “Resource List” for its members, which includes contact information for all House and Senate members in the MAMES territory, covering Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The list is intended to facilitate interaction between MAMES affiliates and members of Congress.

In addition to contact information for representatives in Washington, the resource list includes the board of directors for MAMES and other common information for organizations in the home health care industry. For more information, contact the association at 651/351-5395.

SCMESA Newsletter Wins Award: The newsletter for the South Carolina Medical Equipment Services Association, “Private Line,” was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the South Carolina Society of Association Executives in its “Best in the Business” competition for 2000. Members of the society compete with associations of similar size in activities such as newsletters and bulletins.

SCMESA also welcomed three new members: Sharon Handville of Hannibal, N.Y.-based Arkez; Servy Fernandez of Tampa-based MP Totalcare Pharmacy; and Mel Rauton Jr. of Charleston, S.C.-based Prescription Center.