|
 |
|
McClellan: Home Care Is Preferred, Cost-Effective
WASHINGTON--CMS Administrator Mark McClellan told lawmakers last week that giving patients more options for where they receive long-term care--including in the home--is one way to address the government's skyrocketing health care costs....
|
Missouri Governor Approves DME Cuts
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.--Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt signed Medicaid reform legislation last week that would eliminate coverage for most adult DME. While some of these services could be funded through the state legislature's budget, the governor threatened to use his line-item veto power if too many changes are made....
|
DOJ Sues The Scooter Store
WASHINGTON--The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against The Scooter Store on Friday, charging the New Braunfels, Texas-based company with submitting fraudulent power wheelchair claims....
|
Tennessee Medicaid Cuts Blocked
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Plans to trim the state's Medicaid rolls have been put on hold once again after a federal judge ruled the cuts would violate some recipients' constitutional rights....
|
SADMERC Swamped with Coding Reviews
COLUMBIA, S.C.--Because HIPAA mandates that all insurance carriers now use HCPCS codes for billing DME, the SADMERC has been inundated with an unprecedented number of requests from manufacturers for coding verifications, the Medicare contractor reported last week....
|
NSM Acquires Burke Medical
FRANKLIN, Tenn.--National Seating & Mobility announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Chicopee, Mass.-based Burke Medical Equipment....
|
Providers Not Ready for HIPAA Security, Survey Reports
WASHINGTON--While health care providers are largely compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's Privacy Rule, most can't say the same about the law's Security Rule, which took effect April 20....
|
Graham-Field Chief Sentenced to Prison, Plans Appeal
ATLANTA--GF Health Products' president and CEO Irwin Selinger, convicted of conspiracy and securities fraud last summer, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years probation by a federal court judge in Central Islip, N.Y....
|
Invacare Acquires U.K. Support Surfaces Company
ELYRIA, Ohio--Invacare Corp. has acquired a U.K.-based manufacturer of foam pressure-reducing products. Medical Support Systems (MSS) Holdings designs and manufactures mattresses, overlays and cushions for both armchairs and wheelchairs....
|
AAHomecare Launches Oxygen Utilization Data Repository
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--The American Association for Homecare's HME/Respiratory Therapy Advisory Council is collecting data about what kind of oxygen systems patients use to help draw a better picture of home oxygen utilization nationwide....
|
NSC Offers Guidance on Diabetic Shoes
COLUMBIA, S.C.--The National Supplier Clearinghouse offered at least some partial insight last week as to who would constitute a "qualified individual" to sell diabetic footwear....
|
CMS Contracts with Fox Systems for NPI Processing
BALTIMORE--CMS has selected Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Fox Systems Inc. as the contractor to support the implementation of standard unique health care provider identification numbers. Fox will process applications from health care providers and operate a help desk to assist them in getting the new National Provider Identifier numbers....
|
Invacare Forms Specialty Products Group
ELYRIA, Ohio--Invacare Corp. has formed a group to serve as the umbrella organization for a number of specialty product lines. The Helixx Group will include Freedom Designs, Kuschall North America and Motion Concepts. Invacare's PinDot brand will also be aligned with the new entity....
|
Former AAH Council Chair Launches Unitas Software Firm
EASTHAMPTON, Mass.--The former AAHomecare Rehab and Assistive Technology Council Chairman has moved from the provider side to the vendor side, launching Unitas, a new company offering Web-based referral and billing solutions tailored for the rehab and oxygen fields....
|
Supplier Accreditation Is Hot Topic at Medtrade Spring
LAS VEGAS--HME providers and others with ties to home health care gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center last week to take in educational sessions and peruse new technologies at Medtrade Spring. The trade show took place as the industry prepares for big changes, with competitive bidding and mandatory accreditation for Medicare suppliers on the horizon....
|
Edwards: New Power Chair Codes Designed for Flexibility
LAS VEGAS--The chief architect behind 49 new power chair and scooter codes Medicare plans to implement next year spoke to a group of about 80 industry stakeholders Thursday morning at the Las Vegas Renaissance Hotel....
|
| |
|
|
