(Feb. 27, 2014)—According to modernhealthcare.com, providers, payers and claims clearinghouses can look for no relief from the looming, Oct. 1 compliance deadline for the nationwide conversion to the ICD-10 family of diagnostic and procedural codes, the head of the CMS said Thursday, Feb. 27. But some case-by-case exemptions will be made for providers having a tough time meeting their Stage 2 meaningful-use targets, she said.

BALTIMORE, Md. (Feb. 24, 2014)—According to a CMS Fact Sheet released on Feb. 24, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will seek public comment as it moves toward nationwide implementation of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 26, 2014)—Because of the contract cycle, Feb. 21 was the last day a recovery auditor contractor (RAC) could send a post-payment additional documentation request (ADR) to providers. However, CMS has extended the current contracts through Dec.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 24, 2014)—Above all, exhibitors and providers view Medtrade Spring as an opportunity to discover solutions. However, if you don’t attend, you’ll never know. “It’s our job to fashion the best possible show that we can,” says Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade. “But we can’t help if you’re not here.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 24, 2014)—Jaysec Technologies, LLC., announced Gibran Ameer as chief operating officer. Jaysec has experienced tremendous growth over the last two years mainly due to the regulatory and reimbursement pressures in home care. Gibran will be responsible for overseeing the overall operations ensuring continued value and efficiencies for a rapidly evolving market. Gibran comes to Jaysec from Medical Services of America where he was a member of the executive team.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Feb. 27, 2014)—O2 Concepts, LLC announced Rob Kent has been appointed to serve in the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. Kent has served in various capacities within O2 Concepts for more than a year and most recently served as the manager of its testing, compliance and assurance operations.

ELYRIA, Ohio (Feb. 27, 2014)—After 27 years of service, Lou Slangen, executive vice president and chief product officer, will retire from Invacare Corporation at the end of February. Slangen has been an integral part of the Invacare senior leadership team, and he has been a driving force behind many of Invacare’s greatest branding, marketing, product and business successes.

SPRING HOUSE, Pa. (Feb. 25, 2014)—The Compliance Team, Inc. (TCT), the nation’s only certified woman-owned health care accreditation organization to hold Medicare deeming authority to accredit Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, Supplies (DMEPOS) providers is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2014, founder and president, Sandra C. Canally, RN and Steve Simmerman, vice president of operations announced recently at the firm’s Philadelphia headquarters.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (Feb. 20, 2014)—ACU-Serve Corp., a provider of billing and collection services to home medical and durable medical equipment companies, announced cofounder Jim Knight as chief executive officer—a role he has shared with cofounders Angie Barone and Tim Barone, who have decided to pursue other opportunities. Joining Knight in leading ACU-Serve is new business partner Tom Meadows and Cindy Hoyt, CPC, MBA, chief operating officer.