Archive: May 2018

ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Diabetes Association on May 24 released a public policy statement outlining both long- and short-term recommendations for improving insulin access and affordability. The recommendations in “ADA Public Policy Statement: Insulin Access and Affordability” include increasing transparency across the entire insulin supply chain; streamlining the approval process for biosimilar insulins; lowering or removing patient cost-sharing for insulin; and increasing...

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. - Option Care, a provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion therapy services, recognizes 19 of its nurses for passing the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) examination this spring. The bi-annual exam, facilitated through the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation, is the only accredited and nationally recognized certification for infusion nursing. Option Care says its newly certified clinicians make up nearly 20% of the total number of clinicians to receive...

IRVINE, Calif. - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare reported operating revenue grew 10% to a record NZD 980.8 million, or 9% in constant currency terms, for fiscal year 2018. Split up, that's 13% constant currency growth in the company's hospital product group and 4% growth in its homecare product group. F&P reported that its operating profit grew 12% to NZD 269.8 million and its net profit after tax few 12% to NZD 190.2 million in FY 2018 vs. 2017. In the homecare product group, OSA mask constant currency...

WASHINGTON - Two government agencies have widely differing estimates on a proposal to expand and reform Medicare's competitive bidding program, according to Inside Health Policy.The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposal, included in the president's fiscal 2019 budget, would cost $1.3 billion over 10 years; The Department of Health and Human Services says it would save $6.5 billion over the same time period, according to the D.C. news service.Under the proposal, CMS would expand...

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Keene Medical Products will remain an in-network provider with The Department Vermont Health Access, which oversees the state's Medicaid program, according to an article in Vermont Business Magazine. The provider in April had said it would withdraw effective June 1 in response to changes in Medicaid reimbursement rates. DVHA has been in communication with HOMES to address concerns and continues to make adjustments to the new fee schedule. Keene Medical and DVHA will collaborate...

WASHINGTON - The Council on Quality Respiratory Care criticized a recent report from the Office of Inspector General, saying it underestimates the negative impact of the competitive bidding program on access for oxygen patients. The CQRC states that the “limitations in the report's methodology signal significant flaws in the OIG's conclusions.” It points out that the OIG, itself, acknowledges that continued Medicare payment “is not a direct measure of continued access to...

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group and HME News have partnered to administer one HME Financial Benchmarking Survey, rather than two separate surveys. The two entities say the move will mean an increase in responses and more consistent data. “We're excited to work with our friends at VGM on this project,” said Rick Rector, publisher of HME News. “We look forward to increased participation and can't wait to dig into the data and share it with the respondents, as well as HME Business Summit...

A. Your intake team is responsible for collecting the order, medical records and supporting documentation. If any required information is missing or inaccurate, the team must go back to the referral source to obtain the correct information and explain why it is needed. This is why it is so important to ensure your intake staff is thoroughly educated about medical policy requirements and company policies.The intake process needs to be so clean that when the documentation gets to the billing team,...

Recent consumer lifestyle changes have made active clients a focus in our industry. People are looking to be more proactive in their wellness regimes and are looking for products to help them do that. Although this is an overall positive shift, it's also a challenging one for our industry: trying to balance the varying needs of this particular consumer group and bring them the products they need. These active consumers lie at many points on a large spectrum—some are just kick-starting more...

LAS VEGAS - There's a new website for people with disabilities that aims to provide free resources and news to them lead healthier lives. Naturally Able, published and founded by Lisa Wells, also offers a free magazine vie email subscription signup and an online discussion group. “By offering these resources, Naturally Able is serving an existing need for more natural, healthy lifestyle options in the disability community,” said Wells, who is also the vice president of marketing at Cure...