Archive: March 2020
CMS opens access to respiratory therapy
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Medicare will cover respiratory related devices and equipment for any medical reason determined by clinicians during the coronavirus pandemic, CMS announced last night.Previously, Medicare only covered them under certain circumstances.“Clinicians now have maximum flexibility in determining patient needs for respiratory related device and equipment and the flexibility for more patients to manage their treatments at the home,” the agency states. “The current NCDs and...
Package includes permanent change to ordering
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The stimulus package passed last week also includes provisions that allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists to order DMEPOS and home health services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, AAHomecare reports.Previously, PAs, NPs and CNSs were only able to order DMEPOS for Medicare beneficiaries, not Medicaid beneficiaries.“These provisions will significantly improve Medicaid patient access to DMEPOS by allowing highly skilled physician assistants...
Lunella streamlines sleep apnea diagnosis
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
BOSTON - Lunella has launched today, allowing consumers to go through the entire process for a sleep apnea diagnosis from testing to a prescription for therapy if needed, all from their homes. Lunella leverages a collaboration with Itamar Medical and its FDA-cleared WatchPAT ONE to test for sleep apnea; and a network of independent board-certified sleep physicians to interpret confidential test data and prescribe therapy if needed. “We believe one of the biggest obstacles to diagnosing sleep...
Aulisa positions remote monitoring as solution
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Aulisa Medical says it is working with government officials at FEMA and in Washington state and New York to increase access to its wearable wireless vital sign monitoring systems during the coronavirus pandemic. The company's Guardian Angel devices, which are FDA approved and HIPAA compliant, monitor pulse rate, oxygen saturation and perfusion index, offering continuous remote monitoring. They also offer alarms, two-way audio and video communication. Aulisa currently has CPT coding...
McKesson responds to PPE shortage
March 31, 2020HME News Staff
IRVING, Texas - McKesson has put restrictions in place for personal protective equipment, including limiting orders to only current customers and monitoring how much they're ordering. “Unfortunately, customers may not be able to get enough PPE from McKesson to satisfy their needs,” the company stated in an update. “The demand for PPE continues to increase daily in the U.S., compounding the unprecedented global surge in demand for these items that started in late January. In addition...
van Halem Group, Ossur build confidence
March 30, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
ATLANTA - The van Halem Group has been given the “stamp of approval” by Ossur to provide clinical prescreen reviews and appeals services for custom orthotics and prosthetics for the manufacturer'scustomers.“It's a testament to Ossur and its allegiance to its customers to reach out to us on their behalf and seek out an arrangement like this to assist them,” said Wayne van Halem, president of the van Halem Group.The van Halem Group will provide, among other things, a prescreen...
Stakeholders pound pavement in Florida
March 30, 2020Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TALAHASSEE, Fla. - The state of managed care in Florida motivated Sylvia Toscano, a long-time industry consultant, to visit the state capitol for the first time in January.“To see these unhealthy patterns happening with MCOs and TPAs in the state has been upsetting,” said Toscano, who was part of a group of more than a dozen members of the Florida Alliance of Home Care Services (FAHCS) to make the trip. “I'm seeing small providers just shutting down because of it. That's what got...
CQRC to CMS: Help providers do their jobs
March 30, 2020Guest Commentary
I am writing on behalf of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) to highlight how our members—the home oxygen, sleep, and ventilation therapy suppliers and manufacturers-are prepared to help during the COVID-19 emergency when patients diagnosed with the disease have access to the equipment and supplies they need to recover. For us to fully serve these patients, however, we need your help in trying to address some of regulatory restriction that will be a barrier to caring for these...
Diabetes providers deal with changing dynamics
March 30, 2020John Andrews
Medicare reimbursement in the diabetes market has constantly slid downward, thwarting even meager margins on diabetic products.If HME providers have a future in the category, it may depend on their commitment to selling products for cash. As manufacturers point out, retail products relevant for diabetes patients can also pertain to patients for other therapies and services.Diabetes-specific items have historically included orthotic shoes and inserts, compression hosiery, blood glucose monitors and...
JMeds: Right equipment,right time
March 30, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
FORT WORTH, Texas - JMeds is on track to open a few new locations in Texas this year, with an eye on expanding nationally, says Joshua Robertson, president.Helping the company to reach its goal: In January, it hired Jenny Swain, whose background includes physical therapy and who has a wound care specialist certification, as executive video president of sales and clinical initiatives.“Jenny will be able to take us to a whole new level when it comes to clinical initiatives for our organization,”...