(April 8, 2014)—Today, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released its report on the bidding program’s Round 1 Rebid. The report is based on a random sampling of winning suppliers and single payment amounts (SPAs). Although OIG determined that CMS generally selected DME suppliers correctly, the report notes that the agency did make some mistakes.

WATERLOO, Iowa (March 31, 2014)—In response to Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) request for public comment regarding the expansion for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program, VGM Group, Inc., asked medical equipment providers to fill out an online survey. To simplify the process of submitting public comment, the online survey developed by VGM asks the six questions that mirror those asked by CMS about the expansion of the competitive bidding program. From Feb.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (March 31, 2014)—SensorEdge, manufacturer of pressure mapping systems, is partnering with veteran medical manufacturer Blue Chip Medical Products in a strategic partnership to offer pressure mapping solutions that prevent costly pressure ulcers and increase patient comfort. In 2007, Medicare estimated one pressure ulcer presented an added cost of $43,000 to a hospital stay.

ANDOVER, Mass. (April 2, 2014)—Royal Philips introduced the HomeSafe Wireless System, a new solution that expands access to Lifeline—Philips' medical alert service—to those who do not have a home phone line. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than a quarter of U.S. households have eliminated landlines, while cell phone usage has increased dramatically.

ATLANTA (March 31, 2014)—Medtrade’s Digital Conference Library provides access to notes and audio from Medtrade conference sessions. The library allows you to attend a session you may have missed or one you’d like to hear again.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio and NORWELL, Mass. (March 27, 2014)—Roscoe Medical and Carex Health Brands have announced the merger that will create a combined company positioned to better serve the growing home health care market with dominant market distribution across all channels from retail to DME and managed care with an extensive product portfolio. Terms of the merger are not being disclosed. Combined, the companies have more than 60 years of experience in the home health care market.

Washington, D.C. Omni Shoreham Hotel May 7-8 Join peers from around the country for AAH's annual Washington Legislative Conference. It is an opportunity to learn tips and tricks from AAH's team of legislative experts that will help you be more effective when you meet with your members of Congress.

WASHINGTON (April 2, 2014)—Rapid advances in technology and new ways health care is provided to patients have created new opportunities to receive care at home. The health care community is constantly evolving and understanding that not only does home health care reduce the overall cost of treatment, but it also improves the quality of life of patients and their families. In fact, a recent study by the U.S.