Tag: Consumer

WATERLOO, Iowa - People for Quality Care has launched a survey for Medicare beneficiaries and family caregivers to measure their experiences getting durable medical equipment and supplies.The goal of the survey: to gauge the impact of Medicare changes, including national competitive bidding, on access to products and services.“Ensuring we understand the direct impact the changes being made by Medicare are having on consumers and caregivers is critical in helping us communicate their issues...

NEW YORK - The United Spinal Association will host power wheelchair user Ian Mackay at its 7th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill, June 24-27 in Washington, D.C. Mackay, a California native, avid outdoor enthusiast and peer group leader, will attend the event for the first time to speak with legislators on issues that affect the independence and quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders and other pre-existing conditions. In 2016, he rode his wheelchair across the state to advocate...

Advocacy efforts are on the rise, as we near the Washington Legislative Conference on May 23-24 and the industry pushes for relief for non?bid areas, structural reforms to the competitive bidding program, and a critical exemption of CRT accessories from bidding?derived pricing. This May, the HME industry will take The Hill by storm with hundreds of congressional office visits and a meaningful plea for elected officials to take a stand for homecare patients and those who serve them. One thing is...

WATERLOO, Iowa - People for Quality Care will host a webinar for Medicare beneficiaries and family caregivers on Dec. 1 to provide them with the latest developments on competitive bidding and teach them how to get involved in the fight to protect their access to HME. “As government policies and Medicare cuts continue to limit access to HME, the need for patients to speak out is becoming increasingly important,” P4QC said. HME providers are encouraged to invite their customers to...

ATLANTA - Wheel:Life, an online community for wheelchair users worldwide, has published “Discovering: An Accessible US Travel Guide for Wheelchair Users” as an e-book on amazon.com. These accessible travel suggestions were gathered as part of the annual “Get Out & Enjoy Life” program, a joint educational initiative between Wheel:Life and Sports 'n Spokes Magazine. The book culminates a month-long education program and photo contest launched June 1. “We are thrilled...

ATLANTA - Sports n' Spokes, the sports and recreation magazine of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, has teamed up with Life After Spinal Cord Injury, a nonprofit program of UroMed, and Wheel:Life, an online community, to encourage people with disabilities to “Get Out & Enjoy Life This Summer.” Now in its fourth year, the program kicks off with a photo contest with prize giveaways. This year's theme is running free and the slogan is ROAM. The program will spotlight activities...

WATERLOO, Iowa - People for Quality Care (P4QC) has launched “Dear Medicare,” a website that features the stories of seniors and people with disabilities who are being negatively impacted by healthcare policies. “Our mission with Dear Medicare is to lift up the voices of Medicare beneficiaries and move readers to action through their powerful stories,” stated Kelly Turner, director of advocacy, in a press release. P4QC also has a Medicare Beneficiary Complaint Hotline...

WASHINGTON - In an April 30 proposed rule that sets hospital and long-term care inpatient payment rates and rules for 2015, CMS acknowledged it plans to implement ICD-10 on Oct. 1, 2015. Congress forced the agency's hand when both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed “doc fix” bills that included a one-year delay in the transition to the new coding system. CMS “expects to release an interim final rule in the near future that will include a new compliance date that...

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has officially launched its “SaveMyMedicalSupplies” campaign with a website and Facebook and twitter pages. The campaign is designed to educate consumers about how Medicare reform mistakes are impacting their medical needs. The website explains coverage criteria and reform challenges to consumers in a way that's easy to understand, and empowers them with tools to contact their lawmakers. The campaign is targeted at consumers who have cerebral palsy, diabetes,...

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare is conducting a short survey on the level of awareness among patients on Medicare issues and reform. The association will use the results of the survey as a benchmark to track the progress of its new patient awareness campaign, “Save My Medical Supplies.” Campaign resources and specifics will be shared in the upcoming weeks, AAHomecare says.